Check out the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Hybrid Review

Though the fifth-generation E-Class has been on sale since 2017, Mercedes-Benz has done an admirable job making its midsize luxury car feel new at every turn. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class takes these constant updates even further, with a refreshed exterior and a slightly restyled cabin.

The headlights and taillights closely resemble those on the smaller A-Class, while the grille is similar to the one on the GLE SUV. Inside, the E-Class gets Mercedes’ latest MBUX infotainment system. It’s a huge improvement over the older interface. The E-Class also gets a new steering wheel with capacitive touch controls, though the layout is functionally the same as the old one. Also new for the E 450 is a turbocharged inline-six engine paired to a mild hybrid system. It uses an electric motor that provides a bit of extra power when leaving from a stop and is slightly more fuel-efficient than the previous V6.

The E-Class’ primary competitor has long been the BMW 5 Series. The current 5 Series keeps the pressure on with a wealth of features and a plug-in hybrid variant for those looking for carpool access. The Audi A6, meanwhile, was recently redesigned and counts a high-tech cabin among its many strengths. And buyers looking for something sleek and stylish might want to check out the new Cadillac CT5 sedan or Mercedes’ own CLS. The E-Class also offers itself as both a coupe and convertible as well as the new high-riding All-Terrain wagon, all of which receive the same comprehensive updates as the sedan for 2021.

Pros

Exquisite cabin with excellent design and comfort features
Driver assistance technology works great
Vast array of personalization options
High-horsepower AMG models are fun to drive

Cons

Sedan’s cargo capacity is small for the class
Standard suspension can ride stiffly over rough surfaces

What’s new

Refreshed exterior design
New steering wheel
MBUX infotainment system replaces COMAND
E 450 now powered by an inline-six mild hybrid powertrain
Part of the fifth E-Class generation introduced for 2017

Which E-Class does Edmunds recommend?

We suggest going with the midlevel E 450 4Matic. It comes with standard all-wheel drive and Mercedes’ new six-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system for smooth power and improved fuel economy. It’s also not priced much higher than the E 350 4Matic. We suggest springing for the optional air suspension and Burmester audio system since they really help nail the luxury car feel.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class models

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of the most multifaceted vehicles on the market. You can get the E-Class as a sedan, wagon, coupe or convertible, each available in multiple trims: E 350 (sedan only), E 450 (sedan, wagon, coupe, convertible), AMG E 53 (sedan, coupe, convertible) and AMG E 63 S (sedan and wagon) — each corresponding to a different powertrain.

E 350
The sedan-only E 350 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (255 horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque) paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive (4Matic) is available. Standard feature highlights include:

LED headlights
Simulated leather upholstery (MB-Tex)
Power-adjustable and heated front seats
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Sunroof
12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display
MBUX infotainment interface
Digital instrument cluster
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Keyless entry with push-button start
Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don’t respond in time)
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)

Noteworthy options on the E-Class sedan include:

Larger wheels
Air suspension (can raise or lower the ride height of the vehicle)
Augmented video for easier navigation prompts
MBUX Interior Assistant (can operate controls with hand gestures)
Head-up display
Surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the E-Class and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Premium Burmester audio system
Leather and premium leather upholsteries
Wireless charging pad
Panoramic sunroof
Ventilated front seats
Massaging front seats
Driver Assistance package
- Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
- Active steering assist (works with adaptive cruise control to keep the car centered in the lane, even around gentle curves)
- Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
- Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

E 450
The E 450 is available as a sedan, coupe, convertible and the All-Terrain wagon. The coupe and convertible come standard with rear-wheel drive; all-wheel drive (4Matic) is optional on those and standard on the sedan and wagon. Mercedes is calling the 2021 E 450 wagon the All-Terrain. It’s the same general design as in prior years but now has plastic fender body cladding and a slightly higher ride height.

All E 450s are powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine paired to a mild hybrid system (362 hp, 369 lb-ft) mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Standard and optional features of the E 450 are similar to those of the E 350.

AMG E 53
Mercedes offers two performance variants of the E-Class. The AMG E 53 is available as a sedan, coupe or convertible. They have the turbocharged six-cylinder engine but here it makes 429 hp and 384 lb-ft. All E 53 models come with a sport-tuned all-wheel-drive system. Standard features mirror those on the E 450 models but add a few AMG-specific touches such as a sport-tuned air suspension and special wheels and exterior styling.

AMG E 63
The range-topping AMG E 63 is a brute, powered by a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (603 hp, 627 lb-ft) that sends power to all four wheels through a specially designed nine-speed automatic transmission. The AMG E 63 is only available as a sedan or wagon. Features build on the AMG E 53, adding even more performance-tuned goodies such as: