What we tested: Newsweek test drove a 2024 Mercedes-Benz E450 4MATIC Sedan in Verde Silver Metallic for this review. The car had a sticker price of $87,920 as equipped, which included extras tacked onto the $68,100 base price. A $1,150 destination charge was included in the total price.

One of the prototypes covered 2,309 miles in 24 hours, topping the previous record set in 2019 when a Porsche Taycan drove 2,128 miles in 24 hours. This includes charging stops, of course. Thanks to its 800-volt traction battery and 320-kilowatt maximum charging rate, the CLA EV prototype needed to stop 40 times to recharge its battery.

Class lays the groundwork for the automaker’s future, while a hybrid provides a stepping stone for wary customers.