Compare the2022 Mercedes E-Class SedanVS 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes E-Class Sedan have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The E-Class Sedan’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The E-Class Sedan offers an optional backup collision prevention system that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The E-Class Sedan offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 4 Series Gran Coupe only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the E-Class Sedan and the 4 Series Gran Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the E-Class Sedan its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 113 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 4 Series Gran Coupe has not been tested, yet.

There are over 9 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the E-Class Sedan’s warranty.

The E 450 4MATIC Sedan’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 107 more horsepower (362 vs. 255) and 75 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 294) than the 430i Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class Sedan gets better mileage than the 4 Series Gran Coupe:

The E 350’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4 Series Gran Coupe (17.4 vs. 15.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The E 450’s standard fuel tank has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4 Series Gran Coupe (21.1 vs. 15.6 gallons).

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes E-Class Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

For better traction, the E-Class Sedan has larger tires than the 4 Series Gran Coupe (245/45R18 vs. 225/40R19).

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the E-Class Sedan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The E-Class Sedan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The E-Class Sedan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class Sedan’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the E-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 3.3 inches longer than on the 4 Series Gran Coupe (115.7 inches vs. 112.4 inches).

For better maneuverability, the E-Class Sedan’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the E-Class Sedan a Mid-size car, while the 4 Series Gran Coupe is rated a Compact.

The E-Class Sedan has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 4 Series Gran Coupe (98 vs. 91).

The E-Class Sedan has 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the E-Class offers cargo security. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s hatchback body style defeats cargo security.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Mercedes service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, BMW is ranked 8th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the 4 Series Gran Coupe, the E-Class Sedan has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The E-Class Sedan’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the E-Class Sedan to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the E-Class Sedan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The E-Class Sedan offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The E-Class Sedan offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The E-Class Sedan’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the BMW 4 Series isn’t available as a station wagon.

The E 450/E 53 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 4 years. The 4 Series Gran Coupe has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

Motor Trend selected the E-Class as their 2021 Car of the Year. The 4 Series Gran Coupe has never been chosen.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the BMW 4 Series by 21% during the 2021 model year.