The luxury car market thrives on providing diverse choices, and Mercedes-Benz excels at offering a wide spectrum of vehicles, from SUV coupes to coupe-like sedans. When the tenth-generation E-Class debuted in 2017, Mercedes-Benz ensured a plethora of options, including four body styles and models designed to bridge specific gaps in the lineup, such as the dynamic 2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43 Sedan.
The 2018 E-Class range features five distinct models, each offering varying degrees of performance, style, and luxury. The 2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43 essentially takes the place of the previous E550, presenting a sporty AMG variant for buyers who desire enhanced performance without reaching for the more potent and expensive E63 S. Unlike the E550, the E 43 benefits from comprehensive AMG tuning, positioning it favorably against competitors in the luxury performance sedan segment like the BMW 550i and Cadillac CTS VSport.
To truly understand the Mercedes-AMG E-Class lineup, we had the exclusive opportunity to test drive the E 43 and E 63 models back-to-back. Continue reading for an in-depth review of the 2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43, and stay tuned for our upcoming insights on the higher-performance E 63 S.
2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43 Exterior Design
The 2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43 is arguably the understated performer within the E-Class family. It houses a robust AMG engine beneath a body that largely echoes the standard luxury sedan aesthetic. Devoid of the more aggressive front fascia, vented fenders, and rear diffuser found on the E 63, the E 43 presents a smoother, more refined appearance, akin to the classic E-Class elegance. The current E-Class sedan embodies a design that leans towards the conservative side for modern Mercedes-Benz standards. Its prominent grille and enlarged air intakes lend the E-Class a sporty sedan presence, while the upright roofline and extended rear overhang maximize both passenger and cargo space.
Our test E 43 model exuded a more menacing aura, enhanced by the deep luster of the Obsidian Black Metallic paint ($720). Carbon fiber mirror covers and a trunk spoiler, part of the $1,750 AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package, further contributed to its sporty appeal. The $650 AMG Night Package added high-gloss black accents to the front splitter, rear fascia, and exhaust finishers. For an added touch of style, this test vehicle was also equipped with optional ($750) 20-inch AMG V-spoke wheels featuring black accents.
2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43 Interior and Technology
Mercedes-Benz has crafted a remarkable cabin for the new E-Class, excelling in both design and technological integration. The 2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43 reinforces its AMG credentials with an extra layer of sportiness within. A standout feature of the E-Class interior is the dual 12.3-inch high-definition displays that seamlessly merge to form a single widescreen, serving as both the gauge cluster and infotainment screen. Navigating these screens is intuitive, offering options via touch-sensitive steering wheel controls or the console-mounted COMAND controller. The technology within is user-friendly and seamlessly integrated.
Regardless of the chosen trim, the new E-Class boasts an attractive interior. However, our test model elevated this further with a substantial list of optional enhancements. These included $2,990 AMG Macchiato Beige Nappa leather upholstery, a $1,600 designo black suede-like headliner, a $500 AMG performance flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather and Dinamica microfiber, a $1,000 panoramic sunroof, and $600 metal wave trim that flowed across the instrument panel and door panels. Beyond aesthetics, the $6,500 Premium 3 Package added a suite of safety and convenience technologies, including a Surround View camera system, head-up display, cabin fragrance system, and a power rear sunshade.
True to the E-Class heritage, comfort remains paramount. The cabin comfortably accommodates five adults, and the AMG seats, while supportive, are not overly bolstered, ensuring long-distance comfort. Even the trunk offers a generous 13.1 cubic feet of space, making this mid-size luxury sedan practical for any journey. For enhanced comfort, our test vehicle included optional heated and cooled front seats ($450) and heated rear outboard seats ($580), along with the $1,100 Acoustic Comfort package. This package delivers an exceptionally quiet cabin through enhanced insulation and acoustic glass for the windshield and side windows. To top it off, we experienced the exceptional clarity of the 23-speaker Burmester High-End 3D Sound System – a substantial $4,550 option that audiophiles will appreciate.
2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43 Powertrain and Performance
Beneath the hood, the 2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43 features an AMG-tuned iteration of the 3.0-liter biturbo V-6 engine also found in the E 400. However, instead of the standard output of 329 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, the E 43 boasts 396 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. This power boost propels the sporty sedan from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 130 mph. The engine is paired with an AMG-enhanced nine-speed automatic transmission that distributes power to all four wheels via Mercedes’ rear-biased 4Matic all-wheel drive system. This powertrain combination achieves EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway**, figures that are realistically attainable even with spirited driving.
For enhanced driving dynamics, the E 43 is equipped with an optimized AMG Sport Suspension, a recalibrated transmission for quicker gear changes, and four-piston front brake calipers with cross-drilled rotors. The five-mode Dynamic Select system, including Sport and Sport+ modes, is pivotal in allowing drivers to tailor the car’s character, transitioning between a plush cruiser and an agile corner carver. A particularly sporty feature is the “M” button on the center console, which engages a full manual transmission mode. In this mode, the transmission holds each gear until the driver manually shifts, even if it means hitting the rev limiter – a characteristic of true sports cars.
2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43 Safety Ratings and Features
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, including the E 43 AMG, earned a five-star overall crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The aforementioned Premium 3 Package further enhances safety with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies. This includes Active Distance Assist Distronic, active lane change assist, active emergency stop assist, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, active steering assist, evasive steering assist, active lane keeping assist, active blind spot assist, rear-end collision protection, and adaptive high beam assist.
2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43: Overall Impression
The 2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43 convincingly demonstrates that there is always room for another exceptional performance sedan in the automotive landscape. If the extreme power of the E 63, with its 603 horsepower and 3.3-second 0-60 sprint, along with its six-figure price tag, seems excessive, the E 43 emerges as the ideal sport sedan. Positioned centrally within the E-Class lineup, the E 43 strikes a harmonious balance between luxury and sportiness. It delivers ample performance to rightfully bear the prestigious “Mercedes-AMG” branding.
This enhanced performance comes with a price increase over the base $52,950* E 300. The 2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43 starts at $71,600*. Our test vehicle, loaded with nearly $26,000 in options (which, in our opinion, are justifiable), reached an as-tested price of $97,460. While this approaches the starting price of the E 63 S, this E 43 perfectly illustrates how effectively Mercedes-Benz blurs the lines between a traditional luxury sedan and a truly exhilarating performance machine.
Visit your local AutoNation-affiliated Mercedes-Benz dealership and experience the 2018 Mercedes-AMG E 43 with a test drive today!
*MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
**Based on 2018 EPA mileage ratings. Your mileage will vary depending on specific vehicle trim, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, and other factors.
