Sure, it is quick and sensible with its plug-in-hybrid drive, however it does not hit you within the abdomen and let your ears ring like I believe a correctly irrevocable AMG ought to.

The final Fuel-powered E63 I positively did it. You have a look at the flared wheel arches crammed by aggressive black wheels, and also you assume, ‘Ah, me! This factor goes to rearrange my inside organs, “however it does not love to do it.

It’s not as totally different from the four-cylinder E400E hybrid, simply sooner and with far more aggressive model.

What’s it?

The E53 is a 585-PK inpop hybrid sedan that mixes a 3-liter turbocharged straight-six engine the e450 with an electrical automobile that feeds its energy to all 4 wheels. That is the highest of the E-Class collection in the intervening time, as there isn’t any extra aggressive E63 (but).

My tester had the version 1 bundle, which introduced a number of visible modifications, together with stickers on the perimeters of the automobile. They appear good, however are a bit on an e-class. What I actually preferred was that Mercedes didn’t promote that the E53 was an plug-in hybrid or electrified in any method. There isn’t any crafty blue element (for some purpose related to electrical automobiles) or any badges indicated that it’s also pushed by electrical energy.

It’s a great plug-in hybrid, with a remarkably easy straight engine that begins nearly imperceptibly and plenty of energy in electrical mode. In line with the WLTP check cycle, it is going to be greater than 100 km (100 km) on electrical energy. This is a superb quantity for a PHEV (though it’s not in China), however the precise electrical vary, for my part, is nearer to 43-44 miles (69-71 km), which corresponds to the EPA collection declare.

It is usually excellent round corners, with normal rear wheel steering which disguises its weight of 5.100 kilos.

When the time comes out of the nook, there may be not one of the drama you count on from an AMG. It simply holds and goes, and it is not even so noisy. The CLE 53 I rode earlier than it – which has a model of the identical engine, however with a light-weight hybrid setup – has a way more merciless and thrilling energy tape than the E53, and it additionally sounds higher. It’s a lot nearer to supply of the sort of expertise I count on from an AMG, even with out an offended V-8.

A contact of sophistication with a bit of laborious plastic

Mercedes makes some questionable choices for the inside of all its automobiles – comparable to using haptic and capacitive controls – however it additionally will get many issues proper. After all, I might have preferred to have the soft-touching plastic go all of the door of the door playing cards and the center console, however the design was great, and the sensation of protected solidity was current all through.

My properly -equipped tester had the non-compulsory bucket chairs. Do not skip them as a result of the usual seats are higher fitted to appointments, not apexes. The steering wheel, which had suede grips, is completely improbable to carry. That is the sort of sporty wheel that makes you flip off for loopy, simply to benefit from the outburst of the outlet.

And though I often complain about contact controls on helmets, Mercedes’ is one of the best I’ve tried of this nature, they usually appear to be working rather well. Not higher than bodily buttons, however shut.

Nonetheless, the third display in entrance of the passenger is sort of ineffective. I do know it’s a development that arises in China that’s now dwelling the automotive trade, however I simply do not get the necessity for a 3rd display if the central one is nice throughout the passenger’s attain and line of sight, and it gives all of the capabilities they want. The center display within the E-Class is likely one of the greatest I’ve ever used.

Mercedes is unquestionably doing one thing with the central contact display that’s positioned such an angle. Since you should utilize it whereas your elbow rests on the armrest, it’s a lot simpler to the touch the display than in different automobiles the place it’s positioned vertically and better, and your arm hangs within the air whereas attempting to regulate local weather management. Sadly, Mercedes strikes away from this design with its future fashions, which will likely be a step again in ergonomics. The structure within the new CLA is an indication of issues to come back.

Typically, the within of the E53 seemed fairly particular and felt, particularly with the robust yellow accent within the cabin, additionally on the seats, the seat belts and on the dashboard in my first version tester. With the scratchy plastic decrease within the cabin, it does not fairly really feel like a automobile that prices nearly € 120,000 ($ 136,000) like examined, however it’s undeniably extra particular in AMG end. Within the US, a base E53 prices about $ 89,000, and the same particular instance would price about $ 120,000.

Shortly on paper

I scanned over the specification web page and noticed that it had 585 hp and a peak torque ranking of 750 Nm (750 Nm), and I anticipated the E53 to set my pants on hearth with its efficiency. But it surely does not.

That is partly as a result of it’s fairly a heavy automobile, and even with such energy, it nonetheless wants nearly 4 seconds to succeed in 100 km/h. You count on fireworks to go off if you happen to ground, however you solely get a dynamic temper -lighting. My passengers guessed 400 hps – nobody believed that his actual energy determine was.

To unleash the total anger that the AMG badge requires, you need to completely specify the AMG Dynamic Plus bundle, which my tester, though very properly geared up, didn’t have. It will increase the facility to 600 hp and offers the automobile launch management, or racing, as Mercedes calls it, and I am fairly positive it makes a distinction. It additionally provides an electronically managed restricted sliding distinction within the again, energetic engine mounting and upgraded brakes, making it a extra severe driver’s automobile and higher by means of the corners.

Mercedes must also present a tougher outlet for this automobile. It’s simply too quiet and saved in for an AMG, even by 2025’s more and more strict and restricted European noise (and air pollution) requirements. I might even take a bit extra false noise by means of the audio system to interrupt the elegant silence that’s dominant on board any W214, even the E53.

Clark Kent, and nearly Superman

Flip off the creamy turbocharged six, and the electrical automobile, which lives within the nine-speed computerized transmission, does a surprisingly good job of transferring the automobile and making it sooner. By itself, it produces 163 hp and 480 Nm (354 kilos) of torque. It’s only about 10% lower than a base-backed wheel-drive Volkswagen ID.4.

There’s plenty of punching for driving within the metropolis, and it rapidly will get the automobile to speeds. It could solely drive on electrons at 140 km/h to 87 km/h, which suggests you possibly can commute on the freeway on the freeway on the freeway.

Driving the E-Class in EV mode suits very properly with the relaxed character of the automobile. It is a automobile that solely eats miles like few new automobiles can, and never have the flushing energy, simply suits it very properly. The truth that you get two totally different automobiles in a single (a quiet and civilized EV for soothing driving and a strong fuel burn for fuel burn for whenever you need to go on) makes it a beautiful automobile.

Because of 21.2 kWh of helpful battery capability, you may get about 70 km of the particular electrical scope of 70 km if you happen to drive usually in EV mode. It’s lower than Mercedes’s declare you can get a 100km gas-free administration on this WLTP cycle, however it’s a revered quantity that you must permit to run probably the most of your Errands emissions-free.

One of many issues that makes any present era E-Class PHEV distinctive is the power to load rapidly, which is comparatively uncommon beneath PHEVs. The E can draw as much as 60 kW and finish the ten to 80% stripe in about 20 minutes. It’s also possible to use the 11 kW charger on board to complement the battery, which lasts a number of hours.

One other uncommon trait beneath PHEVs is highly effective regenerative brakes. Mercedes says the E53 can get better 120 kW beneath the delay, which is quite a lot of lower-powered EVs. Because of this, if you happen to descend on a mountain highway, you possibly can fill the battery in a short time, and the regen is robust sufficient that it helps to cut back the load on the frictional brakes, which must be used much less.

One of the best e-class, however, not one of the best AMG

The E53 is probably one of the best W214 variants, particularly attributable to its double character. There’s additionally the Widebody package that basically makes it stand out within the car parking zone of the mall, plus all of the sporty inside features that make it and its residents really feel special.

At a time when automobile producers focus an increasing number of on Crossovers and SUVs, Mercedes stays true to what made it great and continues to make large sedans. It is usually excellent news that it does the identical with its pure electrical sedans, which will likely be far more like its three-box burning fashions than the Jellybean EQ automobiles it sells at present.

Having a standard Mercedes with traditional sedan relationships and electrical energy is one thing we hope we’ll see quickly. Till then, the E53 is likely one of the greatest electrified Mercedes fashions you should buy at present – maybe one of the best – even when it doesn’t absolutely meet the extent of AMG loop I count on from the model.