Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupe 2021 Review

Big price, big prize

The latest Mercedes-Benz mega-coupe, the AMG E 53, is hardly cheap at $164,800 plus on-road costs, and will set you back more than $170K once dealer delivery and statutory costs are added.

But in the large, luxury European coupe world, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E 53 is a veritable bargain compared to some exotics and even the BMW 8 Series.

Indeed, the similarly-sized BMW 840i, which also runs a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, is a $207,900 plus ORCs proposition.

For the circa-$170,000 you get a lot of kit, including a sleek new look. We’re talking fresh multibeam LED headlight designs and unique daytime running light signatures flanking a sporty Panamericana grille.

The Mercedes-AMG E 53 has got an elegant side profile while 20-inch black alloy wheels and the quad exhaust system add a little aggression to the car’s overall look.

Inside, there’s a brand-new sports steering wheel to wrap your mitts around, complete with touch-sensitive (capacitive) controls on new double-decker spokes that look and feel great. The rim even has sensors in it, which work well with the active lane keeping assistance system – a light touch is all that’s required to reactivate the automatic steering system.

The semi-autonomous driving assistants – steering, braking, acceleration – are also first-rate. There’s few other cars out there except for a Tesla or a BMW that can match it.

There’s not much to complain about in the cabin – the Nappa leather seats are comfortable and supportive, the twin digital screens are excellent, and apart from a plasticky gear lever and no USB-A ports, it’s smooth sailing.

The twin rear seats are big enough for adults and the boot is spacious too.

Like all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the AMG E 53 has a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty which is superior to all its rivals, although the German brand admits most owners usually trade in their cars every three years – but stay loyal to the brand for around 11 years.

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupe is packed with safety and technology features, starting with a plethora of self-driving aids as part of the driving assistance package, which is standard across the Mercedes-Benz E-Class range.

This includes stop-and-go traffic assist, active lane keeping assist, adaptive radar cruise control… the list goes on. It even has adaptive brakes with hill start assist and an auto hold function that works by pumping the brakes twice.

There are nine airbags on board, a smorgasbord of stability and traction controls and even a first-aid kit and high-vis safety vests in the boot.

The larger 12.3-inch twin-screen infotainment system set-up is the most customisable of the big three German brands, and this model gets AMG-specific display options too, with turbo boost and power meters for the rev-heads.

There is also a very good (and large) head-up display that lists the posted speed limit.

Overall, there’s an astonishing amount of tech here, but I found all of it relatively easy to use and/or manipulate.

With AMG ruling out any chance of a V8-powered E 63, the updated 2021 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupe (and Cabriolet) is the fastest and most expensive two-door E-Class sports car you can buy today, thanks to the fitment of a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine.

Peak power of 320kW or around 430hp is not to be sniffed at, hitting the limit at 6100rpm. The rev-happy engine generates peak torque of 520Nm early in the piece, at 1800rpm, and sustains it until 5800rpm.

The engine has loads of stomp from standstill, and mid-gear roll-on acceleration is ultra-brisk too. The six-pot engine shifts the AMG’s 2021kg kerb mass with ease, its claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.4 seconds easily believable.

The nine-speed automatic transmission feels assertive in Sport mode (and when using the paddle shifters), but relaxed and casual in Comfort mode.

Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

Boosted by one exhaust gas turbo and another electrically-driven turbo, and taking advantage of AMG’s 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system, the E 53 is no slouch. There’s even a 48V mild-hybrid module that adds another 16kW and 250Nm at super-low revs, creating buttery-smooth but forceful thrust when you gun the throttle.

The exhaust note is surprisingly gravelly too, with a few crackles and burbles on the overrun which adds to the experience.

Fuel economy is claimed at 9.4L/100km, and while our testing showed 12.8L/100km at the end of the launch, there was plenty of fast driving involved.

The ride quality is surprisingly good in Comfort mode, the coupe’s air suspension and Air Body Control tech keeping journeys smooth and relaxed. Until you slot the car into Sport+ mode.

Then it’s on, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E 53 flexing its considerable mechanical muscle.

The steering is good, there’s a bit of weight to it, but the way the car tips into corners and holds its line through them is very gratifying.

It has an aggressive handling attitude; there’s not a lot of body roll, which means the tyres are allowed greater contact with the road.

Indeed, for such a long and heavy vehicle it’s remarkably tenacious entering and exiting corners.

Most owners will probably never push the E 53 coupe beyond 7/10ths, but it’s good to know that if necessary, this big beast can really deliver on the promise.

I’m not sure whether the brakes would be up for a track session, but the rest of the car is battle-ready.

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E 53 is a comfortable cruiser with huge reserves of power. And it leaves me wondering, will the V8 even be missed?

With a stylish design, lavish interior, loads of technology and a sprinkling of practicality, the E 53 is more engaging and charming than I had anticipated.

Mercedes-Benz won’t sell many of these, but for the lucky few who do stump up the $170K, it’ll be a satisfying journey.

How much does the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Coupe cost?
Price: $164,800 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol
Output: 320kW/520Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 213g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2016)