2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

　　

2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　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.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 350 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$181/mo  for E-Class E 350

　　E-Class E 350

　　E 350 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $54,250 MSRPE 350 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $56,750 MSRPE 450 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $62,000 MSRPE 450 4MATIC 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $67,450 MSRPE 450 4MATIC 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $74,450 MSRPE 450 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $64,950 MSRPE 450 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $71,950 MSRPE 450 4MATIC All-Terrain 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $67,600 MSRPAMG E 53 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $73,900 MSRPAMG E 53 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $76,250 MSRPAMG E 53 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $82,850 MSRPAMG E 63 S 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $107,500 MSRPAMG E 63 S 4dr Wagon AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $112,450 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　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 is available as a sedan, a coupe, convertible and a wagon, which Mercedes now calls the All-Terrain. That means you're going to have a wide range of competitors to cross-shop. 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 sedan and A6 Allroad wagon, meanwhile, were recently redesigned and count a high-tech cabin among their many strengths. And buyers looking for something sleek and stylish might want to check out the new Cadillac CT5 sedan or Mercedes' own CLS.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the E-Class drive? The Mercedes-Benz E-Class feels smooth and balanced on the road, with a seamless powertrain that goes about its business without much fuss. Acceleration is effortless. We tested the E 450 4Matic sedan. At the zzdcar test track, we recorded a 0-60 mph sprint of 4.9 seconds, which puts it near the top of the class. The all-wheel-drive system does a great job of putting power to the pavement and making the E-Class feel sporty when you select the Sport drive mode.

　　The steering doesn't provide much in the way of feedback, but it's quick and light, making it easy to maneuver in parking lots or on tight city streets. In corners, the E-Class feels composed without being stiff. Our biggest complaint is braking performance. While the brakes are smooth, our testing showed that the E-Class posted some of the longest panic 60-0 mph braking figures we've seen on a luxury car in a while. We suspect a better set of tires would improve things immensely.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the E-Class? The E-Class nails the most important aspect of a luxury car: quiet refinement. The seats offer lots of support and adjustment, though we found the padding to be on the firm side. Even so, they remained comfortable after a few hundred miles behind the wheel. The ride is smooth and isolating without feeling overly disconnected. Our tester had the optional air suspension and we think it's well worth getting.

　　This E-Class is quiet too, with little road or wind noise intruding into the cabin. Dip into the throttle and you get a smooth growl from the six-cylinder engine. It's just quiet enough to avoid attracting attention. The mild hybrid system allows for seamless engine stop-start functionality at stoplights, with no vibrations coming through when the engine shuts off or fires on. The climate control is also quiet, even at full blast. It works simply and evenly, and rear passengers will appreciate the air vents.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The refreshed E-Class' interior is basically the same as what came out in 2017 with a few small updates. It uses Mercedes' MBUX infotainment system, so you get a touchpad on the center console to control the system. If you prefer a touchscreen, that's an option too. Most physical buttons are easy to see and understand. The biggest issue is the new steering wheel. It ditched hard buttons for capacitive touch ones and, unfortunately, it's not as intuitive as before.

　　Dialing in a good driving position is easy thanks to the adjustability of the seat and steering wheel. All the controls and gauges are easy to see and reach. Forward visibility is fine, but the narrow rear window makes you appreciate the crisp backup camera. Getting in and out is fine up front. But the back seat isn't quite as spacious as the ones in some rivals, so taller occupants might find knee room lacking.

　　

Technology

9.0/10

　　How’s the tech? With the addition of Mercedes' MBUX infotainment system, the E-Class rises to the top of the class in terms of overall tech. The new infotainment is a marked improvement over the old system thanks to a robust list of features, easy-to-operate controls, and excellent device integration thanks to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a smartphone app, as well as some genuinely useful voice controls. The navigation system is easy to use, and the augmented overlay is great for turn-by-turn directions. We're also fans of the optional Burmester audio system.

　　The E-Class also gets the latest and greatest driver aids Mercedes has to offer. The adaptive cruise control maintains a tight gap in traffic, and it changes speed smoothly and quickly. The car can even slow down when the speed limit changes or when you're coming up on gentle curves. We only wish the controls on the steering wheel were easier to use.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? At 13.1 cubic feet, the E-Class' trunk is on the small side for the class, especially compared to the cavernous BMW 5 Series. That said, the space itself is wide and tall, so it's easy to actually fit items inside. The folding rear seats, which are split into 40/20/24 sections, help here too. Small-item storage up front is much better. Many luxury cars skimp on storage, but the E-Class does fairly well thanks to a decent-size center console, door pockets and glovebox. The wireless charging pad means there's always a place for your phone.

　　Getting a car seat in the rear shouldn't be too much of an issue most of the time, though larger seats may be a bit tight. Car seat access points are placed behind easy-to-locate plastic covers.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The E 450 sedan gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined. That makes its six-cylinder engine more fuel-efficient than both the turbocharged inline-four and turbocharged V6 found in last year's model. It's also better than an 2021 all-wheel-drive-equipped four-cylinder E 350, so you get both more power and better fuel economy. We managed 27.1 mpg on our mixed-driving evaluation route, which indicates the fuel economy estimates should be accurate.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the E-Class a good value? You see exactly where the money has gone as soon as you walk up to the car. The paint and finish are excellent. Step inside and you'll find one of the most handsome and well-crafted cabins around. Everything you look at or touch has a premium feel. Mercedes even nails little things like the click of a button or the feel of the air vent knobs.

　　Unfortunately, the ownership and warranty are a bit underwhelming. Mercedes includes a four-year/50,000-mile basic, powertrain and rust warranty. While the basic and powertrain are fine, the rust warranty is well off the class leaders. And unlike most other luxury automakers, Mercedes doesn't include any scheduled maintenance.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　The E-Class is all about subtlety. The exterior design is handsome without being flashy, and the interior is rather stunning, even with relatively few changes. It all exudes luxury, and it feels like the class benchmark that it's been for the past few years.

　　It's fun to drive too, but not completely in an athletic sport sedan sort of way. It's more of a Q-ship, thanks to a potent engine that delivers effortless power and a comfortable ride that makes it a joy to just cruise in. If you do want to tackle some back roads, the E-Class is willing to play.

　　

Which E-Class does zzdcar 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.

　　

2021 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:

　　20-inch wheels Upgraded suspension tuning AMG exhaust AMG-specific MBUX functions Standard AMG Track Pace appOptions on the E 63 include options available on the E 53 plus:

　　Carbon-fiber trim package Carbon-ceramic brakes for improved braking performance

　　

2021 E-Class Highlights

Type: AMG E 53SedanCoupeConvertibleAMG E 63 SWagonSedan

　　Trim: E 350E 350 4MATICE 450 4MATICAMG E 53AMG E 63 SE 350

　　

Base MSRP	$54,250
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$181/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles