10 Biggest News Stories of the Week: BMW X1, X2, XM, iX Have Luxurious Lead on Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Full redesigns of car models typically come only every few years, and while some will go unchanged model year to model year, minor updates, upgrades and improvements often occur in between overhauls. Nearly one-third of BMW’s model-year 2025 lineup gets such nips, tucks or additions to features and equipment — and we catalog these small changes in one of Cars.com’s most popular news stories of the past week.

Related: 10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Toyota Land Cruiser, 4 Runner Crawl Over Corolla Hatchback

The BMW X1 and X2 small SUVs both get the Parking Assistant Professional automated parking feature, as well as steering-movement-memorizing Maneuver Assist, and the plug-in-hybrid, high-performance XM SUV gets expanded wheel options and exterior-paint choices across powertrains and trim levels. The iX all-electric SUV, as well as the 5 Series and 7 Series sedans, will be available with Silent Mode, which minimizes the constant sensory assault of the digital age by muting the stereo, reducing information displayed, turning off ambient lighting, closing window shades and activating do-not-disturb mode on the infotainment system. Meanwhile, all BMWs with the AirConsole infotainment-screen video-gaming platform get an expanded roster of titles to play.

For the full rundown of changes coming to these BMW vehicles — in addition to further multimedia updates to help drivers plan rest and refueling stops on drive routes — follow the link below to the No. 1 news story of the week.

Of course, if you prefer your German luxury cars with a star ornament or emblem on the hood or grille, rather than a Bavarian-flag-flaunting roundel, check out Cars.com reviewer Conner Golden’s comprehensive critique of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Overall, the new E-Class evolves with the technological times without compromising what the E-Class inclined ultimately want in a mid-size luxury sedan — namely luxury. The obvious effort on Mercedes’ part to keep up with the times is encompassed in its available Superscreen multimedia and infotainment configuration that essentially spans the entire dash and comprises two 12.3-inch digital displays flanking a 14.4-inch touchscreen in the middle. But lest you feel alienated by the cold, impersonal HAL 9000 of it all, rest assured that all around you you’ll find the high-grade leather, soft-touch materials, wood, metal and glossy black surfaces that remind you every time you look at or feel their quality on your fingertips that comfort of your corporeal form is still just as important as taking the next step on the road to all of us becoming digital avatars.

For Golden’s full review of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — including powertrain specs and his thoughts on the driving experience — follow the link below to the No. 3 article on this week’s countdown of most-read stories.

Beyond all that, we’ve got headlines on the Hyundai Palisade, Honda Passport, Tesla Model Y, Toyota Tundra, Lexus LX, Chevrolet Silverado EV and much more — so don’t stop reading till the digits double. Here are the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past week:

1. BMW Announces 2025 Updates for 6 Models

2. What’s the Best 3-Row SUV for 2024?

3. 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review: Luxury Always Changes

4. What’s the Best New-Car Deal for Memorial Day 2024?

5. What Are the Best Used Cars for $20,000?

6. Is the 2024 Honda Passport a Good SUV? 5 Pros, 2 Cons

7. After More Than 2 Years and 22,000 Miles, We’ve Said Bye-Bye to Our Tesla Model Y

8. 102,000 Toyota Tundras, Lexus LX Recalled for Faulty Engines

9. 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV First Edition RST Review: All the Bells, All the Whistles

10. Which SUVs, Minivans and Sedans Have the Most Cargo Space?

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.