Compare the2023 Mercedes E-Class SedanVS 2023 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 its 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 Maneuvering Brake Function that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a 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 4 Series Gran Coupe offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the E-Class Sedan with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert also has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

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 and available lane departure warning systems.

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 vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the E-Class Sedan its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 126 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 450 Sedan 4MATIC gets better fuel mileage than the M440i Gran Coupe xDrive (23 city/31 hwy vs. 22 city/31 hwy).

The E-Class Sedan 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-Class Sedan 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.

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 350 Sedan’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The E 450 4MATIC Sedan’s turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s (39 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 inches more front legroom, 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.

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 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the 4 Series Gran Coupe. The E-Class Sedan also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

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

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