The Mercedes-Benz E-Class emerged victorious in the prestigious 2025 Premium Car Award by the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) jury. The luxury sedan outperformed its strong competitors, including the BMW 5 Series, which secured the first runner-up position, and the Kia Carnival, which came in second runner-up.
The award was presented by Dr. Raghupati Singhania, Managing Director of JK Tyre, a long-time supporter of ICOTY and IMOTY events. Deloitte, as the knowledge partner, ensured a transparent and unbiased evaluation process for determining the winner.
The ICOTY Jury comprises seasoned automotive journalists from various esteemed publications and media houses. For 2025, the jury included 21 members, such as Yogendra Pratap, Editor of Auto Today, and Dipayan Dutta, Assistant Editor of Auto Today.
Each jury member is allocated 25 points, which must be distributed among five contenders. No single car can receive more than 10 points from any jury member, ensuring fairness and preventing undue influence. This rigorous evaluation resulted in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class scoring a remarkable 140 points, ahead of the BMW 5 Series (107 points) and Kia Carnival (65 points).
Other notable competitors for the Premium Car Award included:
Mercedes EQS SUV/EQS Maybach
BYD Seal
BMW i5
BMW M5
Mini Cooper S
The sixth-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class boasts an introductory starting price of ₹78.5 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base E 200 variant. The lineup includes three variants:
E 200: Priced at ₹78.5 lakh (ex-showroom), powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine generating 204bhp.
E 220d: Priced at ₹81.5 lakh (ex-showroom), featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine delivering 197bhp.
E 450 4Matic: Priced at ₹92.5 lakh (ex-showroom), equipped with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 381bhp and 500Nm of torque, along with the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.
All engines come with a 48V mild-hybrid system, offering an additional boost of 23bhp and 205Nm. A 9-speed torque converter automatic gearbox is standard across all variants.
The E-Class luxury sedan includes an array of premium features:
Rear seats with a 36-degree recline and extendable thigh support.
Comfort neck pillows for added passenger convenience.
Electrically operated sun blinds for privacy and comfort.
Mercedes’ innovative Superscreen layout, comprising a 14.4-inch central screen, a 12.3-inch passenger screen, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel.
Conclusion
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has solidified its position as a leader in the luxury car segment by clinching the ICOTY 2025 Premium Car Award. Its blend of cutting-edge technology, superior performance, and luxurious comfort underscores its appeal, making it a deserving winner. With its latest features and competitive pricing, the E-Class continues to set benchmarks in the premium car category.