Planning for executive luxury sedans, which one is better, Mercedes-Benz E Class vs BMW 5 Series LWB

5 Series vs E-Class: Executive luxury sedans have always been in demand by wealthy businessmen and influential personalities. These luxury sedans offer a luxurious cabin experience along with driving pleasure and are either known for their rear seat experience or their pleasure behind the wheel while driving the car. This segment has a prolonged rivalry between two German auto manufacturers, BMW and Mercedes-Benz with their best-selling sedans, E-Class and 5 Series. Both manufacturers are known for their luxury and driving pleasure and now this competition has intensified with the launch of the new BMW 5 Series in a long-wheelbase version for the first time in India, resulting in more room at the rear. The new generation of the Mercedes-Benz E Class is awaited in India. Till then, let us compare these sedans.

Price and variants:

The BMW 5 Series LWB and Mercedes-Benz E Class are priced almost similarly for their base models. The BMW 5 Series LWB has a price tag of Rs 72.90 lakh (ex-showroom) and has two variants, 530Li M Sport (Aluminium Satinated) and 530Li M Sport (Titanium Bronze) having the same price and engine configurations. On the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz E Class has a single petrol engine option and two diesel engines on offer. The price of the Mercedes-Benz E 200 base variant starts at Rs 76.00 lakh (ex-showroom).

Exterior Design:

The exterior designs of both the luxury sedans, BMW 5 Series LWB and Mercedes-Benz E Class different and sophisticated in their character. The new BMW 5 Series LWB has illuminated kidney grills on the other hand Mercedes Benz E Class has more simplistic elegance.

From the side, both BMW 5 Series LWB and Mercedes-Benz E Class run on 18-inch wheels but come with an option to upgrade to 19-inch as well. The door handles on the BMW 5 Series LWB are more retro-designed as compared to the conventional door handles on the Mercedes-Benz E Class. In terms of dimensions as well, the BMW 5 Series LWB has now taken the lead by having more length, wheelbase, and height than the Mercedes Benz E Class.

At the rear, the BMW 5 Series LWB and Mercedes-Benz E Class have their own set of design patterns. The rear of the BMW 5 Series LWB has a more sophisticated appearance and the Mercedes-Benz E Class facelift is awaited.

Interiors design:

The cabin ambiance of both BMW 5 Series LWB and Mercedes-Benz E Class have immense luxury present inside. Since the BMW 5 Series LWB now has more wheelbase, it results in more space at the rear seats and gives tough competition to the Mercedes-Benz E Class. Considering the rear seat experience, the Mercedes-Benz E Class still has an upper edge over the BMW 5 Series LWB as it provides rear sunshades dual-sunroofs over the fixed moonroof of BMW 5 Series LWB.

The dashboard design of the BMW 5 Series LWB has a much more futuristic appearance than the Mercedes-Benz E Class, boasting its retro elegance. Both the BMW 5 Series LWB and Mercedes-Benz E Class get connected infotainment touchscreen and instrument cluster, but the BMW 5 Series LWB has a slight tilt towards the driver. The steering wheels of both the BMW 5 Series LWB and Mercedes-Benz E Class are inspired by their flagship sedans BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S Class.  

Engine Performance:

Coming to the core of these executive luxury sedans, the BMW 5 Series LWB offers a single-engine option and the diesel is no longer available. Mercedes-Benz E Class has a single petrol engine and two diesel engines on offer. The BMW 5 Series LWB is equipped with a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that churns out 235 BHP and 400 Nm of peak torque, mated to an eight-speed torque converter gearbox. On the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz E Class also has a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine that has slightly less power at 195 BHP and 320 Nm torque, mated to a nine-speed torque converter gearbox. In terms of driving pleasure, the BMW 5 Series LWB has always been known for its driving dynamics and the facelifted variant continues to stick to its true characteristic.

Result:

The BMW 5 Series LWB and Mercedes-Benz E Class have always been in rivalry and offer their own set of pros and cons. The  Mercedes-Benz E Class facelift is awaited this festive season and with the LWB on the BMW 5 Series, it has intensified the competition and a tougher choice for its consumers.