Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 interior: comfort, materials and space

The W213 is the E-Class saloon generation introduced in 2016; Mercedes-Benz updated the 213 series in 2020. That distinction matters when looking at interior photographs or equipment lists. An early car and a facelifted car can both be called W213, yet their display interfaces, steering wheels and available comfort features differ. The body style matters too: the saloon is W213, while the estate is S213. This article focuses on the saloon cabin rather than assuming that every E-Class with a similar badge has the same layout. Start by identifying the production period and the actual equipment of the car you are considering. A photograph of an optional widescreen cockpit, for example, does not establish that the feature is fitted to another W213. For a useful comparison, judge the seat, controls and rear cabin together, in the configuration you can actually inspect.

The driver's seat has enough adjustment possibilities to make the order of setup important. First set the seat distance so you can operate the pedals without stretching, then adjust height and backrest, and finally bring the steering wheel and mirrors into position. Pay attention to the view over the instrument panel and to the relationship between the seat cushion and your thighs. Mercedes-Benz described touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel of the original generation; its 2020 update brought a redesigned steering wheel and MBUX. The two interfaces should be tried rather than treated as interchangeable. While parked, test common tasks such as changing audio, entering a destination and adjusting climate settings. Check whether you can find each control quickly and whether the display is readable in your normal seating position. Comfortable ergonomics depend on the driver as much as on a long equipment list.

The front seats deserve more attention than a brief showroom sit. Check the range of cushion, backrest and head-restraint adjustment, then spend time in your usual driving posture. If the particular car has lumbar adjustment, seat heating, ventilation or memory, operate each function instead of assuming it from a photograph. These are configuration-dependent features, and their usefulness varies with climate and the people sharing the car. A firmer or softer impression in the first minute may change on a longer journey, so consider support under the thighs and across the back as well as the surface feel. Before deciding, take a test drive of a comparable configuration and note whether you need to keep correcting your posture. The passenger should perform the same check independently. The best choice is the seat that accommodates the people who will use the car, not simply the seat with the longest options list.

The W213 interior combines a broad dashboard composition with different trim, upholstery and lighting choices. Mercedes-Benz's account of the generation identifies high-quality materials, an optional pair of 12.3-inch displays and optional 64-colour ambient lighting. These were options, not a promise about every car. The 2020 update added further interior colours and decorative materials, including open-pore wood and aluminium choices in the announced range. Appearance is only part of the decision: touch the frequently used areas such as the wheel, armrests and controls, and inspect how the trim meets the doors and console. A light interior can make the cabin feel open but may call for a different cleaning routine than a dark one. Glossy surfaces can show fingerprints in daily use. Ask for the exact upholstery and trim specification of the car in front of you; marketing photographs often show a different combination.

Rear-seat comfort is easiest to assess with the front seats set for the actual driver and front passenger. Then sit behind each position and check knee space, foot room, head clearance and ease of entry. A tall driver may change the result substantially. The middle rear position should also be checked separately if three people will travel together: its shape and the floor area may make it feel different from the outer seats. If children regularly travel in the back, check the fit of the intended child seats and the space left for an adult; do this with the seats themselves rather than relying on a generic cabin photo. For adults on longer trips, examine backrest angle, access to vents and whether the view and light feel comfortable. Dimensions alone cannot tell you how much room a specific family will feel it has. The short in-person seating test is more valuable than assuming that the E-Class name guarantees the same comfort for every passenger.

Daily comfort also depends on where small items go. Try the door pockets, centre-console compartment and cupholders with the objects you normally carry, and check whether the controls remain easy to reach. Consider where a phone can sit securely and how charging is provided in the particular car; connectors and equipment may differ. Open the boot and test the shape of the opening with your own luggage. If you need to carry a stroller, travel cases or sports gear, a real fit test is better than inferring usability from an exterior photograph. The saloon's enclosed boot and the estate's cargo area serve different routines, so choose the relevant body style before comparing space. Within the cabin, also check how easily rear passengers can place bags and whether front-seat occupants still have room to move. These modest observations often decide whether an elegant cabin works on an ordinary weekday.

Make a short list before viewing a W213: your usual driver height, regular number of rear passengers, longest typical journey and items carried every week. Compare cars against that list in the same sequence. Confirm the production period, body style and equipment first; then set the front seats, sit in the rear, operate the controls and test storage. For an early W213, the optional widescreen cockpit and ambient lighting should be verified on the specific car. For a 2020-updated example, check the actual MBUX interface and steering-wheel layout. A newer interface or richer trim does not automatically resolve a cramped seating position for a particular household. Our model overview is a starting point for the current range, while our E-Class equipment guide helps frame questions about options. Contact Avangard Motors to discuss the configuration you need and arrange a test drive where available; we can help you evaluate the cabin you will actually use.