Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class rewrote the script for modern luxury vehicles with its elegant design. Unlike many of its contemporaries which gravitated towards cold and overly technical aesthetics, the E-Class embraced a stunning design characterized by long hood and short deck proportions. Its softly rounded forms and cleanly drawn sides were accentuated by bold details like a star-map grille texture and star-shaped taillight illumination. Chrome accents outlined the roofline while various wheel designs added to its distinctive personality. Expectations were high that its design would age gracefully.

For the 2024 model year, Mercedes introduced the E 350 4Matic and E 450 4Matic in a sedan body style. Starting prices at $62,300 plus a $1,150 destination charge seemed attractive for the array of standard features included. However, to access the most cutting-edge comfort, technology, and safety features, one had to invest in various option packages.

Our test model checked nearly all options, amounting to an MSRP of $82,450, including destination charges. The interior was the epitome of luxury and state-of-the-art technology. Nappa leather seats in Tonka Brown, complemented by a Superscreen triple-display glass panel stretching across the dashboard, melded classic luxury with high-tech elegance. Wood trims with aluminum inlays, active ambient lighting, and more ensured that the E 350’s cabin exuded sophistication.

Conversely, the 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback’s appearance could be a hit or miss, invoking mixed reactions based on viewing angles, lighting, and other variables. The Sport Touring trim of our test car, flaunting 18-inch alloy wheels and the vibrant Boost Blue color, generally appealed, though the rear end’s stubby design was a minor drawback.

The Civic Hatchback lineup featured the base LX, the value-oriented Sport, the upscale EX-L with a leather interior, and the premium Sport Touring. Base prices ranged from $24,950 to $31,450, excluding a $1,095 destination charge. Boost Blue, as an extra-cost color, brought our test car’s MSRP to an even $33,000, including the destination.

Opening the driver’s door revealed high-quality materials and fine detailing, with metal honeycomb mesh on the dashboard and knurled knobs for climate and stereo controls. The high-resolution digital displays further elevated the sophisticated feeling of the Sport Touring’s interior.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered two powertrain choices to cater to varied performance needs. The E 350 4Matic featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, enough to propel the car to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. For those seeking more power, the E 450 4Matic came with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine generating a robust 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, achieving 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

Both variants used a nine-speed automatic transmission combined with the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. They also incorporated a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with an integrated starter/generator to improve fuel economy and provide additional electric power during acceleration.

During our tests, the E 350 proved sufficiently powerful for most drivers, offering a swift acceleration experience. However, it fell short of its EPA rating of 27 mpg in combined driving, achieving only 23.8 mpg on our Southern California test loop.

Thanks to the optional Airmatic Package, which included an adaptive air suspension and rear-axle steering, our test car glided over road surfaces, even with its large staggered-width 21-inch wheels. Although it handled twists and turns competently, the E 350 shone most brightly as a consummate luxury vehicle with unparalleled comfort and ride quality.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback had different powertrain offerings depending on the trim level. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. While this required higher revs to reach its peak performance, the Sport trim’s available six-speed manual gearbox offered more driver involvement compared to the standard continuously variable transmission (CVT).

For better performance, the EX-L and Sport Touring trims came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine providing 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, offering a wider power band and more accessible torque. Our Sport Touring test car, equipped with the CVT, was generally fun to drive, though the occasional high-rpm groan detracted slightly from the experience.

The turbocharged Civic was light, lively, and agile, making daily commutes and errand runs enjoyable. Its driving characteristics were on par with the Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback, providing ample zest and responsiveness.

Fuel efficiency ratings ranged from 29 mpg to 35 mpg in combined driving, depending on the trim and powertrain. Our Sport Touring model fell short of its rated 35 mpg, averaging 30.2 mpg during our tests.

Even without the Multicontour Seating Package, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class’s interior comfort was impressive. Front seats, available in MB-Tex, genuine leather, or premium Nappa leather, were supportive, heated, and power-operated, with optional ventilation. There was also an option for a heated steering wheel. The only drawback was the lack of padding on the center console, which could cause leg discomfort.

Access to the back seat was somewhat constrained by intrusive rear wheel wells, but once seated, passengers enjoyed good leg support and a tall seating position, though legroom was merely adequate. The E-Class excelled in storage, with spacious door pockets, a hidden center console bin with cupholders and a wireless smartphone charger, and a generous bin under the split-top center armrest.

The trunk, offering 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space according to Mercedes, felt optimistic. Nonetheless, it was roomy enough to accommodate full-size suitcases stored on their sides. Additionally, a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added to its practicality.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback’s higher trims, EX-L and Sport Touring, boasted several appealing features. These included dual-zone automatic climate control, heated exterior mirrors, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a power sunroof. The driver’s seat offered eight-way power adjustment, enhancing driving comfort.

Though the front passenger seat’s lack of height adjustment was a slight inconvenience, the Civic Hatchback provided a comfortable and supportive cabin for two adults or three kids in the rear seat. Sport Touring trim even included USB quick-charge ports, but air conditioning vents were missing at this price point.

Cargo-wise, the Civic Hatchback excelled, offering 24.5 cubic feet of space, nearly 10 cubic feet more than the Civic Sedan. While Honda did not provide measurements with the rear seats folded down, the cargo room effectively doubled.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class stood as a paragon of technology with its third-generation Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. Standard features included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display paired with a 14.4-inch infotainment touchscreen. This setup could be customized into themes like Sport, Classic, Navigation, and Assistance. Additional options included a 9-inch head-up display and a Superscreen Package with a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, which offered video entertainment invisible to the driver.

The infotainment system integrated wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and navigation with augmented video technology. Personalized user experiences were enabled through the ability to save up to 800 different vehicle settings across seven driver profiles. Online streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify, TikTok, and YouTube, along with a Vivaldi web browser, were also available. The optional Burmester 4D surround-sound system with Dolby Atmos and Apple Spatial Audio was a notable highlight.

MBUX’s advanced digital voice assistant was impressively responsive, contributing to a seamless user experience. The artificial intelligence embedded within MBUX further enhanced functionality by learning and anticipating driver needs over time.

In comparison, the 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback’s technology varied by trim level. The LX, Sport, and EX-L trims featured a basic 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which lagged behind rivals like the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla Hatchback. However, the Sport Touring trim stood out with a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The Sport Touring also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, a navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a premium 12-speaker Bose sound system. Pairing an iPhone with the system and using Apple CarPlay was straightforward, and the voice-recognition system performed admirably.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class came equipped with a multitude of safety features, though the comprehensive Driver Assistance Package was a worthwhile investment for an additional $1,950. This package included enhanced Pre-Safe pre-collision features, an Active Emergency Stop Assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping and lane-centering aids, and an automatic lane-change function among 15 advanced technologies.

In practical application, the E-Class’s advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) performed well overall but seemed less confident on winding roads. The automatic lane change and speed limit adjustments were features some drivers might find useful, though in dense Los Angeles traffic they felt unnecessary and sometimes even dangerous.

Honda equipped every 2024 Civic Hatchback with Honda Sensing, a suite of ADAS. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering aid, adaptive cruise control, and traffic jam assist with low-speed follow capability (only with CVT). Unfortunately, advanced features like blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were exclusive to the higher EX-L and Sport Touring trims.

Honda Sensing was generally effective, handling curves and highways competently, though some features like adaptive cruise control felt sluggish in specific scenarios. The Civic Hatchback earned top marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and high but not perfect ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), primarily due to an updated side-impact test.