2023 Mercedes-AMG E53

Overview

The Mercedes-AMG E53 lineup is sporty, handsome, and thoroughly engaging to drive, which is why it’s earned our Editor’s Choice award every year from 2019 through 2022. For 2023, it continues to be offered in sedan, coupe, and cabriolet body styles, each of them a satisfying combination of precise engineering, refined luxury, and solid performance. What separates the E53 from the regular Benz-branded E-class is its athleticism, which can be seen, felt, and heard. The enhancements over the standard model start with its straight-six-cylinder engine, which is affixed with both a turbocharger and an electric supercharger and boasts a respectable 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The E53s ride on AMG-tuned sport suspension and feature numerous visual changes from their special grille to their quad tailpipes, all of which communicate their more serious purpose at a glance.

What’s New for 2023?

Things remain mostly unchanged for the AMG E53 this year. The German automaker has given the model lineup a little more standard content, including nappa leather and several metallic paint choices.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

All three AMG E53 models come standard with all-wheel drive, an adjustable air suspension, a digital instrument panel, and a robust infotainment system, but we recommend the coupe for its sleek and slinky looks. We’d also select upscale options that include the head-up display and massaging front seats. If more room and four-door practicality are more intriguing to you, the sedan is a great choice.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Every AMG E53 is powered by a turbocharged and supercharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine that makes 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. It pairs exclusively with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive. Manual swapping of the gears is available at any time via paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The last E53 coupe we tested sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds. The standard air suspension seamlessly makes the switch from twisty-road demon to comfortable freeway cruiser. Swapping drive modes subtly changes the sedan’s road-damping demeanor without becoming either pillowy or punishing. The steering—as with the other dynamics—is crisp, sweetly responsive, and well balanced, blending feedback and precision. The E53 rides on standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch rollers. However, the larger set are more prone to eliciting harsh impacts over pavement seams and pothole patches.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

We expect the AMG E53 to retain its fuel economy ratings from 2022 as there have been no powertrain changes. As a reminder, the sedan was rated at 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Both the coupe and convertible models earned ratings of 21 mpg city, with the coupe rated for 28 mpg highway and the convertible 27 mpg. We tested a coupe on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, and it returned 32 mpg. The last E53 sedan we tested also earned 32 mpg highway; both models exceeded their government highway rating by 4 mpg. For more information about the E53’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The E53 earns top marks for interior build quality and the ability to make its passengers feel as if they have just walked into a high-end pastry shop in Paris. The sporty, upscale cabin is completed by a collection of deluxe standard and optional features. The standard interior is plenty fancy, but deep-pocketed buyers can elevate the experience further with exotic wood trims, a fragrance atomizer, and massaging front seats. Flashy red seatbelts are standard fare but can be replaced with black belts for free, which we would choose to do. The E53 sedan has the smallest trunk volume among most rivals, yet we managed to fit a comparable number of carry-ons in it; with the rear seats in place we managed to fit five suitcases inside. Coupe and convertible models are less practical. Interior storage space is significantly better than the competition, with a commodious center console and a massive underfloor trunk compartment.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

A large 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard and supports the company’s latest MBUX infotainment system. The unit can be controlled through myriad functions that include a touchpad on the center console, steering-wheel-mounted controls, and voice commands. The latter are intended to be an intuitive alternative to traditional switchgear, but our past experiences have failed to prove the value of this technology. Every E53 also comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Burmester stereo, and wireless charging.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

While driver-assistance technology such as automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring are standard, most additional equipment costs extra. For more information about the E53’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist Available automatic high-beam headlights

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Mercedes-AMG provides competitive limited and powertrain warranties. However, the company doesn’t offer complimentary scheduled maintenance—something that rivals from BMW and Jaguar do.

Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

Specifications

2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 4Matic+ Coupe

Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe

PRICE

$77,300

ENGINE

supercharged, turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 183 in3, 3000 cm3

Power: 429 hp @ 6100 rpm

Torque: 384 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm

TRANSMISSION

9-speed automatic

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 113.1 in

Length: 190.9 in

Width: 73.2 in

Height: 56.3 in

Passenger Volume: 92 ft3

Trunk Volume: 10 ft3

Curb Weight (C/D est): 4500 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)

60 mph: 3.9 sec

100 mph: 9.8 sec

1/4-Mile: 12.5 sec

Top Speed: 130 mph

EPA FUEL ECONOMY

Combined/City/Highway: 24/21/28 mpg

More Features and Specs