When we first tested the E 450, the Rs 14 lakh premium over the entry-level E 200 seemed hard to justify, given that it’s essentially the same car with a larger engine. After all, isn’t the E-Class supposed to be the quintessential chauffeur-driven machine? So why splurge on a variant where the driver gets to have all the fun? Well, after spending a few weeks with the E 450, let’s just say we were wrong.

The E 450’s 3.0-litre straight-six is one of those engines that makes you want to grab the keys every single day. With 381hp and 500Nm of torque, it doesn’t just deliver strong performance, it does so in that typically Mercedes fashion, with an effortless swell of power that makes speed feel almost invisible. A mild flex of your right foot and this two-tonne-plus luxury barge lunges forward in one seamless surge, the nine-speed automatic keeping everything polished and unhurried.

The 3.0-litre, inline-six is extremely smooth and responsive.

Over these months, I’ve realised I’ve actually spent most of my time behind the wheel – which isn’t what I expected with an E-Class. The driving experience is so good, I never felt like handing the keys to our chauffeur. Yet, on the rare occasions I’ve occupied the rear bench, it’s immediately obvious that the E-Class remains the benchmark in back-seat comfort. But this stint was more about driving.

Of course, no long-term review is complete without the ‘maha’ test – the customary drive to Mahabaleshwar. The route, partly along the battered NH66 after four months of monsoon punishment, was a stern test not of horsepower but of durability. Broken tarmac, rain-worn potholes and endless speed breakers could easily have tripped up a limousine of this size. But the E brushed it all aside.

E-Class’s ride-quality is exceptional on any surface.

The ride quality deserves special mention. Despite its length, the E-Class cleared the nastiest speed breakers without scraping its belly once. The suspension has that rare dual quality – cushioned enough to soak up rough patches yet taut enough to keep body control perfectly in check. Over undulating sections, there’s no float, just a steady, flat ride. The E-Class brings back the hallmark ride comfort that once defined Mercedes, restoring what its SUVs and smaller sedans seem to have lost along the way.

Light upholstery picks up stains easily.

On the twisty Ambenali Ghat towards Mahabaleshwar, the E 450’s 4Matic system came into play. The all-wheel-drive setup makes this a far more predictable handler in the wet than you’d expect of a limo. Turn-in is sharper than you’d think, grip levels are reassuring, and you can even have some fun on a ghat road; provided no one’s in the back as your passengers may not appreciate that enthusiasm. And if they do throw up over the light-coloured upholstery, you’ll quickly learn how easily it picks up stains. Mahabaleshwar’s red soil, for instance, found its way into the cabin. Thankfully, a thorough valet job brings back the shine.

The only time the E-Class’s size and long wheelbase feel intrusive is when manoeuvring into my narrow driveway with its tight 90-degree entry. The 5-metre length constantly reminds you that this is a limousine first and a driver’s car second.

LWB makes manoeuvring in tight spots tricky.

But the truth is, the E 450 bridges those two roles like no other. Rarely has a car given me as much pleasure behind the wheel while simultaneously offering the kind of back-seat luxury that leaves you spoiled. For my next stint, though, I plan to be chauffeur-driven – because ignoring the back seat of an E-Class is like flying business class without reclining the seat.

Also see:

2025 Mercedes Benz E 450 long term review, 3000km report