2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Road Test and Review

2019 Mercedes AMG E53 Sedan White Front Three Quarter ・ Photo by Mercedes-AMG

The 2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 range consists of a sedan, coupe, and convertible (Cabriolet), forming a set of variants within the broader E-Class premium mid-size lineup.

All three body styles of the E 53 share the same drivetrain, which represents a new chapter for Mercedes-Benz and the first time a vehicle from the high-performance AMG division comes with an element of electrification.  These aren’t hybrids, however, even though they’re using battery power for greater efficiency. Tied in with this new engine, which is an absolute gem, are fixtures and fittings appropriate to an AMG car, where luxury is matched by energy.

Pricing

The 2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 sedan starts at $73,545. The E 53 coupe is priced from $74,695, and the four-seat convertible begins at $81,345. It would be nice to look at some competitors and how they’re priced. But the E 53 doesn’t have many like-for-like rivals.

There isn’t anything in the new Audi A6 range yet. The 2019 BMW M550i xDrive sedan has 27 horsepower more, but it starts at around $75,000. So buyers will decide whether these prices are acceptable. The good news is that there’s a generous amount of standard equipment to go with this all-new drivetrain.

Photo by Mercedes-AMG

Equipment

AMG versions are already well-equipped, since they’re far above the entry-level E-Class variants. The 2019 E 53 comes with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry/ignition, an adaptive air suspension, two 12.3-inch displays (one for driver information, the other for infotainment and vehicle functions), navigation, smartphone integration, wireless charging, a Burmester surround-sound system, 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front sport seats, a powered trunk closer, and blind-spot monitoring.

Naturally, the Cabriolet has a power-folding fabric roof (which does an excellent job of insulating occupants from the outside world), plus rollover protection and Airscarf neck-heating vents as standard.

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Options

It’s possible to add around $20,000 worth of options to the E 53. Thes extras include fine Nappa leather on the seats and dashboard, 20-inch alloy wheels, a performance exhaust system, a panoramic sunroof (sedan), and parking assistance with a 360-degree camera system.

The Driver Assistance Package is $2,250 well spent, since it brings adaptive cruise control, steering assistance (including evasive steering), active lane changing assistance, automatic emergency braking with a cross-traffic function, and several other driver aids. There’s also an AMG Track Pace app, heated steering wheel/armrests, massaging seats, and soft-closing doors.

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Engine

This is what makes the 2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 particularly special. It’s a 3.0-liter inline six. For many years, Mercedes-Benz has been using V6 engines, but there are several good reasons for the switch. A straight six is inherently smoother. And when there’s forced induction involved, like a turbocharger, there are no issues about locating the blower inside the V, where temperatures become hellish.

This engine does indeed have a turbocharger, and an electric auxiliary compressor (instead of another turbo), plus an integrated starter generator (ISG). Total output is 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The ISG contributes a boost of 21 hp and 184 lb-ft, not in addition, but enabling maximum power to be reached sooner.

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The 48-Volt System

The integrated starter generator (ISG) replaces the alternator and conventional starter motor and runs off a 48-volt system powered by a lithium-ion battery. (There’s still a conventional 12-volt battery in the trunk for things like electric windows and the infotainment system.)

When the E 53 is in Eco mode, the engine cuts out at complete stops and then restarts once the driver’s foot lifts off the brake. The ISG performs the task of firing up the engine again. This feature is often obtrusive in cars from other automakers, but here it’s subtle. The ISG also brings a “sailing” feature. On long downhill stretches, it will disconnect the engine automatically to save gasoline and re-connect it again once the driver needs more power.

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Transmission

Every variant of the E 53 has a nine-speed automatic transmission tuned especially for use in AMG cars, so super-quick shifts are the norm. It’s fine if left in D, but there are also paddle shifters mounted beneath the steering wheel; click the right one to shift up, click the left to go down a gear.

All-wheel drive (known as 4Matic in the Mercedes-Benz book of technical terms) is standard in all E 53 models. Actually, it’s known as 4Matic Plus, because it’s an intelligent system that can send up to 100 percent of power to the rear axle or up to 50 percent to the front, so the wheels with the most traction receive the most muscle.

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Performance

The deceptive thing about these E 53 cars is that they’re quiet and refined, unflustered and fully composed at all times. Jam the throttle to the floor from a standing start and 60 mph is reached in around 4.4 seconds. But it doesn’t feel that fast because of this inbuilt sophistication. This much power in cars weighing approximately 4,400 pounds is decidedly on the right side of respectable and able to create a thrill or three.

Overtaking moves are carried out quickly and cleanly. Chances are, though, that arm hairs will remain mostly flat, except perhaps in Sport Plus mode when the exhaust system becomes more vocal and there are a few engine pops on the downshifts.

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Ride and Handling

An adaptive air suspension with a sport-oriented calibration is standard in each E 53 version. And naturally, there are Comfort and Sport modes, which also affect the steering weight, throttle response, and transmission shift points.

In Comfort mode, the ride is extremely compliant, but sometimes it seems that each wheel is dealing with whatever bump or groove is happening at the time and there’s not an overall cohesion. Sport mode brings more body control, and this works as a default setting. The sedan is the lightest of the three body styles and the most satisfying for a driver who likes to attack the occasional corner when the opportunity arises.

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Exterior Design

This current generation of the E-Class has been around since 2017, so there are no big surprises here. The Cabriolet and coupe both have a certain elegance, while the sedan doesn’t make any compromises to the trend for coupe-like silhouettes, yet still manages to look quite sleek.

The E 53's AMG additions include wider air intakes, a low front lip, and a rear spoiler. Generally speaking, these cars tend to lean more towards a refined understatement than any attention-grabbing features.

Photo by Mercedes-AMG

Interior Design

The dashboard is dominated by those twin 12.3-inch displays. Despite all this high-tech equipment, however, the contrast of the IWC analog clock in the center console is coolly classy and attractive.

The coupe and convertible have turbine-style air vents, while the sedan comes with simpler equivalents. Overall, though, any AMG E 53 cabin enjoys tasteful designs, great materials, and excellent build quality.

Photo by Mercedes-AMG