Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Acura TLX

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class presented a harmonious blend of elegance and advanced design, diverging from the cold, technical aura prevalent in many modern vehicles. This redesigned model showcased long hood and short deck proportions, with softly rounded forms and cleanly penned flanks. The star-map grille texture, star-shaped taillight illumination, and chrome sweep defining the roofline added distinctive character. Mercedes provided a variety of expressive wheel designs to ensure the car's aesthetics would age gracefully. Initially available in E 350 4Matic and E 450 4Matic models, the E-Class sedan came with an entry price of $62,300 plus a destination charge of $1,150. However, many of its desirable features were packaged into various option groups.

Our test E 350 4Matic, carrying an MSRP of $82,450 including the destination charge, was nearly fully loaded, missing only a few extras and the Multicontour Seating Package. The interior dripped in luxury with Tonka Brown Nappa leather, attractive wood with aluminum inlays, active ambient lighting, and a Superscreen triple-display glass panel stretching across the dashboard. The blending of classic luxury with high-tech modernism was evident throughout the cabin, making it a plush and sophisticated vehicle.

In contrast, the 2024 Acura TLX had a fresh yet subtly revised appearance. The update included a new frameless grille, removal of the large radar emitter under the Acura emblem, and a sleeker, more open front fascia. The Jewel Eye LED headlights flanked the new grille, and gaping air intakes added character to the fascia. Acura's restrained use of character lines along the side gave it a refined look, while Berlina black split-spoke rims wrapped in Pirelli Cinturato P7 all-season tires adorned the 20-inch wheels of our top-spec Type S trim.

Acura’s approach to trims, called “packages,” provided options from the Technology Package up to the sporty Type S. The TLX, initially starting at $41,045, now began at $46,195 with the Technology Package, after phasing out the base model. The Type S trim visually differentiated itself with a gloss black front splitter and rear diffuser, along with quad exhaust outlets. Inside, all trims featured leather upholstery and heated front seats, with higher trims offering ventilated seats.

The 2024 TLX Type S model reflected its performance focus through red leather upholstery and sporty styling cues, but its ultimate charm lay in the balance between luxurious comfort and practical technology.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class delivered solid performance across its variants. The E 350 4Matic boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, enabling it to accelerate to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. For those seeking more power, the E 450 4Matic featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine generating an impressive 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, taking just 4.4 seconds to reach 60 mph.

Both models employed a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD). Additionally, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system assisted in enhancing fuel economy and performance. Although Mercedes claimed the E 350 4Matic could achieve 27 mpg in combined driving, our test showed a slightly lower 23.8 mpg.

Our E 350 4Matic test car came equipped with the optional Airmatic Package, including an adaptive air suspension and rear-axle steering. This configuration provided a remarkably smooth and calming ride, even on larger 21-inch wheels, but the E-Class handled curves with competence rather than outright sportiness.

On the other hand, the 2024 Acura TLX provided different power experiences across its trims. Most TLX models, including the Technology and A-Spec, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. While the Technology trim routed power through a 10-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels, the A-Spec included Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). This performance-oriented AWD system efficiently distributed power, enhancing driving dynamics.

The pinnacle of TLX performance was the Type S, which housed a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This configuration enabled the Type S to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about five seconds, a slight lag compared to its German rivals but still impressively quick.

The Type S also offered adaptive dampers, enhanced stabilizers, and Brembo brake calipers, ensuring robust performance. While the electrically assisted steering diminished some driver connectivity, the TLX remained nimble and managed body roll effectively, bolstering its status as a true performance sedan.

Comparing interior space, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered an upscale and comfortable cabin. Front occupants enjoyed seats wrapped in either MB-Tex, genuine leather, or premium Nappa leather, with heating, power-adjustment, and the option for ventilation. Accessing the rear seats was somewhat challenging due to intrusive rear wheel wells, but once seated, passengers enjoyed good leg support and a high seating position. The E-Class provided ample practical storage options, including sizable door pockets, a hidden center console bin, and a roomy under-armrest bin. The trunk offered 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space, though this figure seemed optimistic in practice.

The 2024 Acura TLX, at 194.6 inches long, fell into a peculiar size gap. Its length was comparable to larger sedans like the Audi A6, yet the wheelbase matched more compact models like the BMW 3 Series. This resulted in front seats offering considerable space but only 34.9 inches of legroom in the rear, less than some compact sedans. The TLX’s trunk capacity of 13.5 cubic feet also lagged behind its midsize competitors. The car's long hood added to its visual appeal but reduced maneuverability — a potential drawback in urban settings.

For rear-seat comfort and cargo capacity, the E-Class had a slight edge over the TLX. However, both cars ensured driver comfort, with supportive front seats and convenient cabin layouts, though the Acura’s front-row ergonomics favored the driver slightly more.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class stood as a technological marvel, offering the third-generation Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. This system was centered around dual 12.3-inch displays for digital instrumentation and a 14.4-inch infotainment touchscreen. Customizable in four themes—Sport, Classic, Navigation, and Assistance—the system also featured a head-up display as an option. The infotainment suite included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, a navigation system with augmented reality, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

An impressive attribute was the ability to save up to 800 different settings across seven driver profiles. The new MBUX system allowed for customizable “routines” for personalized comfort and convenience. Streaming options like Apple Music, Spotify, TikTok, and YouTube were accessible, complemented by an optional 17-speaker Burmester 4D surround-sound system. Another standout feature was the Superscreen Package, which added a 12.3-inch passenger touchscreen and a cabin video camera for conference calls.

In the 2024 Acura TLX, technological offerings were a mix of good and bad. Every model came with an ELS Studio premium audio system, upgraded to a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D system in the A-Spec and Type S trims. Standard infotainment features included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad. Added for 2024 was Amazon Alexa built-in, widening the scope of voice-assisted capabilities.

Dual 12.3-inch displays handled the driver's and center infotainment functions. While the gauge cluster was customizable and responsive, the infotainment screen’s non-touchpad interface, known as the True Touchpad Interface (TTI), was controversial. This touchpad was mapped to the screen with one-to-one positioning, a unique but complicated solution that failed to optimize phone projection systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which required excessive swipes for navigation and selection.

Mercedes-Benz stacked the 2024 E-Class with numerous safety features, though many were part of the optional Driver Assistance Package. This $1,950 package delivered advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, lane-centering, and lane-change systems. The package also included upgraded Pre-Safe pre-collision features, Active Emergency Stop Assist, and an Automatic Lane Change function. While most systems worked well, some functions, like Active Speed Limit Assist, proved intrusive in fast-flowing traffic.

The Acura TLX, in contrast, offered a comprehensive suite of ADAS as part of the standard package called AcuraWatch. It included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, rear cross-traffic monitoring, and parking sensors, among other features. For 2024, the TLX upgraded its blind-spot monitoring with lane-change alert and improved front camera and radar emitter views.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the 2024 TLX a five-star overall rating, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it top scores in all tests.