omccreary

I now have a 2020 E350 sedan. I'm now considering upgrading to the 2023 E450.

I've read multiple reviews, but they're confusing about what features are new in the 2023 E-class, which are different, and which are no longer available, or temporarily unavailable. Some of the reviews seem to suggest that due to chip shortages, certain features are (temporarily?) unavailable.

I'm particularly wondering about these features:

1) Does the 2023 E450 have the identical infotainment system as what I now have on my 2020 E350? (Some reviews refer to MBUX being gradually introduced across models and model years. I do have a pretty good infotainment system, but I don't know whether this is the one called MBUX, or if MBUX was introduced more recently. And whether 2023 it will be identical to my 2020, or different.)

2) My 2020 E350 has a semi-autonomous driving mode. (I don't know Mercedes' name for this feature.) It's like a glorified cruise control, which can brake or speed up on its own, and change lanes as necessary. Does the 2023 model have the same features? Or is it temporarily it crippled by the global chip shortage?

3) Is the automated parking feature the same?

4) Are the cameras and camera views the same?

Thanks for any information you can offer.

js_cls

1) 2023 has MBUX, the 2020 has COMMAND. MBUX has a much needed beefed up processor which is much quicker upon startup. MBUX uses a touchpad, COMMAND a controller.
2) 2023 is available with Adaptive Cruise Control which can adjust the car's speed and keep distance between the car in front, as well as steer and brake, and even change lanes when commanded. This is an option.
3) Yes.
4) Yes.

omccreary

Thank you, js_cls !

BenjaminKohl

MBUX was introduced on the 2021 MY. It’s a pretty different system.

The drivers assistant package is still available and has a few small positive changes, namely the fact that you can comply touch the wheel instead of having to shimmy it for it to recognize you as paying attention.

Auto parking and camera views are the same. Cameras may be slightly higher res but I don’t think so.

There were a few things that were shortaged but I don’t think they are anymore. Those include AR Nav (something you aren’t used to), wireless charging, and the kick to open trunk, plus a few other things like the nappa leather and the massage seat. But yeah all back available.

The only other differences are little trim things that aren’t know about much. So, I don’t believe there are the double sun visors. Also, there’s no longer the button to control the passenger seat from the driver side. And then I don’t know about the E, but on other models that also includes plastic buttons for trunk pop instead of metal like the windows, no net in the passenger compartment, and no sunglasses holder near the sunroof buttons.

In general though, if you can afford it, I would definitely recommend upgrading. The new engine and infotainment are awesome.

M. Schneider

A snapshot read of our October '22 build sheet appears complete as the order was a fully optioned 2023 E450 All-Terrain (USA) .. I'll scan the As-built Sheet and post-ASAP.. Ordered all options but; Without, Wood Steering Wheel, Night Pkg, and Panorama Roof.
.
The As-Built Sheet is detailed in Pkg. Group Options. .. Again, I'll scan and post.. Appears our build is complete

M. Schneider

Error, Moderator pls delete ..

aks_19_ak

The new facelifted E Class no longer has the analog clock. That is definitely one feature that the 2023
E450 will not have.

​​​​​​Considering that one of my childhood memories of my dad's W123 was the analog clock, the missing clock is definitely something I notice everytime!

steveb19

In my opinion, the 2023 E350 functionally, ride, quietness, etc, are very similar. However, there are a number of features that have been downgraded and a 2020 owner will be unhappy.

The MBUX touchscreen makes a few things easer such as deleting and entry or moving an icon. Not enough to buy a new car for. In face, removing the navigation wheel on the console is a step backwards. The touch control is not up to Mercedes standards. The driver and center consoles have been seriously downgraded. To a new user it will be fine but to a 2020 owner it has glaring shortcomings. In the passenger display when setting the center to radio, it no longer shown the song name or artist. All it shows is the station name and number. A completely useless method. If you put the radio in the center console you completely lose the navigation scree. On 2020's it split the screen.

The navigation screen with Sirius travel link showed gas station locations and gas prices. Prices are gone on 2023. I heard that was gone in the 2021 model year. Heads up display is improved on the 2023. The 360 camera's are improved as well. The Driver Assist Level 2 is the same in my opinion and work very well so there is no improvement here. The Nav system voice input misses the mark most of the time and the routing makes no sense most of the time as well.

All in all, I could have bought to 2020 off lease for $38K and paid for anything that may have come along including tires and brakes and saved $30K. I would have had a vehicle that had the same quality of build and better "creature" features. All in all the 2023 is a disappointment as compared to the 2020 model year. No longer has the analog clock which was for show but nice.

Never thought Mercedes would have gone backwards and that's on me. But because of the shortage of cars I ordered this one 6 months ahead. My suggestions would be to look at BMW, Lexus and Genesis before jumping into this. To end this review, the EClass is still probably one of the best sedans on the road. I have owned a 2014, 2017, 2020 and now the 2023. Each step was up and that is why this is so disappointing.

3 & 4 are mostly the same

Holtgraver

Don't do it. Body, steering, and suspension are the same.

MBUX sucks compared to COMAND. Here's the cons:

Music: No help with getting CD's onto Thumb Drive Music:
Nav: Can't name and store destinations
Nav: Resets can wipe out preferences on Arrow Controls:
Controls: Touch pads on steering - Intermittent; not reliable
Controls: Don't work well with driving gloves
Manual: No list of voice commands (UK manual has hints, but diff)
Manual: No clear presentation of command Tree
Manual: Controls Selection Options shown out of order and incomplete
Manual: ICONS under primary links (two underneath each one) not explained
MBUX: Menus and tree operation inconsistent (ICONS vs Lists)
MBUX: No context sensitive HELP systems: Info system sparse/incomplete
Tones: One ear shattering tone at random times
Storage: Way less than W212 (frontOfSeat; Side web, Glove box smaller)
Connectivity: USBc instead of USB (should have both or USB and cables)
Instrumentation: Distronix requires 3 second or more hold; Intermittent
Voice commands very incomplete compared to menus
For example (one of hundreds)
can see music categories in menus
But can't ask to "Show Music Categories"

W212 was better, but I couldn't find one with the Safety options (Distronix, Lights, Surround View).

BenjaminKohl

On the contrary I far prefer the menu design and opperation of MBUX, but then again I don't drive with driving gloves