Compare the2024 Mercedes E-Class SedanVS 2024 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.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes E-Class Sedan are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The E-Class Sedan has a standard 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the E-Class Sedan. But it costs extra on the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The E-Class Sedan has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the E-Class Sedan and 4 Series Gran Coupe have rear cross-traffic warning, but the E-Class Sedan 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, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

There are over 10 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 Sedan’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 120 more horsepower (375 vs. 255) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 295) 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-Class Sedan 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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes E-Class Sedan higher (7 to 8 out of 10) than the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (5 to 7). This means the E-Class Sedan produces up to 13.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 4 Series Gran Coupe every 15,000 miles.

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.

The E-Class Sedan’s 275/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the E-Class Sedan has standard 21-inch wheels. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The E-Class Sedan has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. 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 4.2 inches longer than on the 4 Series Gran Coupe (116.6 inches vs. 112.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the E-Class Sedan is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

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).

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 9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 4 Series Gran Coupe (100 vs. 91).

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the E-Class Sedan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat 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 and exit feature raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, 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 nozzles are optional on the E-Class Sedan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the E-Class Sedan has standard extendable sun visors. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer extendable visors.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are 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 or rear side window sunshades.

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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes E-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The E-Class Sedan’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

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