2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2026 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

$62,450 · Sedan

$50,600 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class whispers luxury from its $62,450 starting point, while the 2026 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe brings athletic intensity for just $50,600. Both machines deliver identical power figures—255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque—but the BMW edges out slightly on efficiency, boasting a combined 30 MPG versus the Mercedes' 28 MPG. Dimensionally, the E-Class is larger at 194.9 inches long, yet the sleeker 4 Series Gran Coupe offers significantly more utility, trumping the E-Class's modest 12.7 cu ft cargo space with a generous 16.6 cu ft. While both demand premium unleaded fuel, the 9-speed automatic in the E-Class suggests a smoother cruising ratio compared to the 8-speed in the BMW. This comparison pits venerable elegance against sharp, practical athleticism, underscored by an $11,850 gap in entry pricing.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

The 2026 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe wins for commuters due to its superior 27/35 MPG fuel economy compared to the E-Class's 25/33 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

The 4 Series Gran Coupe is the better family choice, providing significantly more practical storage with 16.6 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the E-Class's 12.7 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Enthusiasts may prefer the E-Class for its slightly more substantial physical presence and the smoother power delivery implied by its 9-speed automatic transmission.

💰 Best Value

2026 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe offers the exact same 255 hp performance for an $11,850 lower MSRP than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if...

You prioritize a larger, more stately physical presence, indicated by its 194.9-inch length.
You prefer the refinement suggested by a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission for highway cruising.
You value the hallmark prestige and interior sanctuary that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class badge represents.

Choose the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe if...

Budget is paramount, as the 4 Series Gran Coupe undercuts the E-Class by $11,850.
Maximizing cargo utility is key, given its 16.6 cu ft capacity, substantially more than the E-Class's 12.7 cu ft.
You want slightly better real-world fuel consumption, achieving 30 combined MPG versus 28 MPG.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mercedes-Benz E-Class	BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
Length	194.9"	188.5"
Width	74.0"	72.9"
Height	57.9"	56.8"
Wheelbase	116.6"	112.4"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Drying	✓	✓
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	—	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	mild hybrid
Horsepower	255 hp @ 5800 rpm	255 hp @ 4700 rpm
Torque	295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	295 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	rear wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/33 MPG	27/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	435.0/574.2 mi.	421.2/546.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.4 gal.	15.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Infotainment Display	14.4 in	14.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	10
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	6 months	12 months
Stereo Power	—	205W
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Front Head Room	37.3 in.	38.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.5 in.	41.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.8 in.	55.2 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	10-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	✓	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	3	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	10-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	3	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Seat Type: Sport	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	2-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	2-way

Rearseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Rear Head Room	37.6 in.	36.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.2 in.	34.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.1 in.	54.3 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Rear Seat Feature	—	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 8.0 in	18 x 8.5 in
Tire Size	225/55R18	245/45R H
Run Flat Tires	✓	✓

Suspension

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	BMW
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	6 yr./ 62000 mi.	—
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and 2026 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

How significant is the performance difference given the identical horsepower figures?

Both vehicles generate an identical 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, meaning straight-line acceleration will be very close. However, the E-Class uses a 9-speed automatic while the 4 Series uses an 8-speed, which might subtly alter responsiveness and cruising RPMs.

Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class more practical for hauling gear than the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe?

No, despite being the physically larger sedan at 194.9 inches long, the E-Class lags significantly in cargo space. The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe offers a much more appealing 16.6 cu ft versus the Mercedes' 12.7 cu ft.

Since both require premium fuel, which car costs less to run daily?

The 2026 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is more economical for daily driving, achieving 30 combined MPG, slightly better than the 2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class's 28 combined MPG.

What is the total price difference between these two rear-wheel-drive sedans?

There is a substantial $11,850 difference between the starting MSRPs. The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe begins at $50,600, significantly undercutting the Mercedes-Benz E-Class which starts at $62,450.

Which vehicle offers a more engaging driving dynamic based on size?

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is the more compact and likely nimbler choice, measuring 188.5 inches in length and 72.9 inches in width. The E-Class is substantially larger at 194.9 inches long and 74.0 inches wide.

Are there any notable differences in their transmissions?

Yes, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class utilizes a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission, potentially offering more ratio flexibility. The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe employs an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.