2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
$54,250 - $107,500
The fifth-gen 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been on sale for the past four years. But the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has done a great job in making this vehicle feel new at every corner. The car takes the updates a little further. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class interior is slightly restyled, and the exterior has been refreshed. The taillights and headlights look like the ones on the smaller A-Class. The grille is like the one on the GLE SUV. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class interior gets the updated MBUX infotainment system. It is a great improvement over the earlier interface. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class interior also has a new steering wheel which has capacitive touch controls. But the functionality and the layout are similar to the earlier one.
What's new
- Changed steering wheel
- New exterior design
Pros
- Many personalization options
- Great driver assistance technology
Cons
- Stiff ride over rough surfaces
- Less trunk capacity
Price Range: $54,250 - $107,500
Pointcom Rating: 8.5 / 10
There are sportier rivals of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, such as the BMW 5-Series. But only some areas are premium and high-tech. The behind-the-wheel experience of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is not as exciting as the AMG-tuned version. But the regular vehicle is serene and quiet. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class interior is exquisite and silent. It is fitted with many tech features, such as the dual displays integrated into the dashboard.
Utility
You can see where the cash has been invested as soon as you walk up to the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The finish and paint are excellent. Get inside, and you will get one of the most well-built and beautiful cabins around. Everything you touch or look at is luxurious. The company even gets little things right such as the feel of the air vent knobs and the click of a button. But the warranty and ownership are a little underwhelming. The company has a four-year basic, rust, and powertrain warranty. The basic and powertrain warranties do the job. But the rust warranty is below what the segment leaders give. Unlike the other premium automakers, the brand does not have any scheduled maintenance as well.
Technological Changes
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class interior has an updated MBUX infotainment system. In terms of overall tech, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is on the top of the segment. The updated infotainment system is a big improvement over the earlier system due to a laundry list of features, easy controls, and great device integration due to Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a smartphone app. There are some great voice controls as well. The navigation system is simple to use. The augmented overlay is good for turn-by-turn directions. We are also pleased with the Burmester audio system that is optional. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets the best and updated driver assistance aids that the company has to give.
The adaptive cruise control maintains a reasonable gap in city traffic. It modifies the speed of the car swiftly and smoothly. The vehicle can also slow down when the speed limit changes or when the vehicle is on gentle curves. The steering wheel controls could have been made a little easier to use.
Driving Experience
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class gives a balanced and smooth feel while driving. A great powertrain does the job without much hassle. The acceleration is also good. The car went to 60 miles per hour in under five seconds. This puts the vehicle near the top of the segment. The all-wheel-drive system also pushes power to the car and makes it feel sporty when the driver goes for the Sport drive mode. The steering wheel does not give much feedback to the driver. But it is light and swift. This makes it simple to use in tight city streets and busy parking lots. The car feels composed and not stiff around corners.
The top peeve was the braking performance. The brakes are good. But the car takes a long distance to come to a stop, from 60 miles per hour. The distance is the highest we have seen in a premium vehicle in some time. We think that a better set of tires will make the braking better.
Comfort Factor
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets the most crucial of a premium vehicle right, which is silent refinement. The seats give a lot of adjustment and support. But we found the padding to be a little hard. Even so, the seats remained comfortable after driving for some hundred miles. The drive is smooth and quiet without completely disconnecting from the road. The optional air suspension is well worth a look. The vehicle is pretty silent too. There is not a lot of wind or road noise that seeps into the cabin. Give the car some throttle, and you will get a smooth transition from the engine. It is silent enough not to get attention.
The hybrid system helps for a seamless engine start-stop function in traffic. There is no vibration even when the engine turns on or off. The climate control is silent at peak blast also. It functions evenly and simply. The rear passengers will like the air vents.
Conclusion
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has got a refresh. This has helped it to maintain its position as the leader in the midsize luxury sedan segment. The car does not feel like a completely different car. But that is not a harmful thing. The great driver aids, smooth ride, and luxurious interiors come together in a well-crafted and beautiful package.