2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet review: High-tech and handsome

Generally, I’d shy absent from a Mercedes-AMG convertible. AMGs are typically a small much too really hard-edged and maniacal for my tastes, and not really in the spirit of what I’d want in a luxurious convertible. The AMG E53 is different, nevertheless. In simple fact, it is a person of my favored autos I’ve pushed so much this calendar year.

The coronary heart of the E53 is its AMG-tuned three.-liter turbocharged I6 engine with gentle-hybrid help. It lacks the guttural large-metal ogre growl of AMG’s 4.-liter twin-turbo V8, sure, but tends to make up for it with astounding smoothness and a surprisingly satisfying yowl in its higher rev variety. The E53 is the most effective E-Course convertible you can get, by the way you can find no E63 accessible.

The I6 engine tends to make a balanced 429 horsepower and 384 pound-toes of torque with small to no perceptible hold off in electricity, mostly many thanks to the EQ-Boost gentle-hybrid program. EQ-Boost not only smooths out the start-halt procedure, but its electric motors supply plenty of supplemental raise — 21 hp and 184 lb-ft — to get the E53 transferring right up until the turbochargers are on comprehensive boil. Accelerating to 60 mph normally takes a scant 4.4 seconds, which is very fantastic for a 4,566-pound convertible.

The E53’s engine is paired with a 9-speed computerized transmission. It functions invisibly when remaining to its own devices and gives crisp upshifts and downshifts when termed on by using the steering wheel-mounted paddles.

An additional reward of this more compact-displacement, electrically assisted engine is gas economy. The EPA prices the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet at 21 miles per gallon in the town, 27 mpg freeway and 23 mpg blended, which I have no difficulty matching in normal driving.

2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 4Matic Cabriolet: A major-notch major-down driving knowledge

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Currently being a large, midsize convertible, the E53 is not precisely sports-car or truck sharp, but that’s not a undesirable factor. The E53’s suspension does an fantastic job of smoothing out tough roads, even in its most aggressive Sport Additionally manner, and there is a apparent distinction in experience excellent between the convertible’s Ease and comfort, Sport and Sport Additionally suspension settings. The steering is correct and well-weighted, nevertheless in Sport Additionally manner, it feels needlessly large. The large, multipiston brakes are simple to modulate and function plenty of stopping electricity in most circumstances, nevertheless they are prone to fading after a spirited push.

The up-to-date E-Class’ inside is a person of the greatest in the enterprise, and that carries around to the Cabriolet. The fit and complete and materials options are all major-notch and befitting of a car or truck in the E53’s cost variety (far more on that later on). The sporty AMG seats are really cozy and function plenty of adjustability, so even somebody of my dimension — six toes, 4 inches — can get cozy with no significantly demo and mistake.

The large digital instrument panel and infotainment display appear amazing, offering up all the information and facts you could want in a way that’s apparent and reasonable. Both equally screens totally outline the appear and sense of the E53’s inside, and that’s a fantastic factor. The small screens on the steering-wheel mounted controls are also a great touch, making it possible for you to modify routinely applied objects like the transmission’s guide manner or the sport exhaust on/off swap. This all tends to make the E53 sense tech-ahead and present day.

The cornerstone of the E53’s tech is its MBUX infotainment program, which gives effective pure-speech recognition for several of the cabin controls (like heat and stereo quantity) as well as must-haves like Apple CarPlay and Android Car. Merged with its colorful, crisp imagery, MBUX is among the my favored infotainment units accessible now.

I also can’t converse about the E53 Cabriolet’s inside with no speaking about Air Scarf. For all those who have never ever professional this function, it is basically a small place heater that lives in every single entrance headrest, blowing very hot air on your neck. It tends to make great-weather conditions, major-down motoring a breeze (pun meant). It’s wonderful, and I find myself using it all the time.

Sadly, all of this goodness isn’t going to occur low-priced. The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet starts off at $eighty three,845 which includes a $995 place rate, and my really well-outfitted tester comes in just a hair below $one zero five,000. Let’s confront it, that’s a good deal of funds. Mercedes’ convertibles have always carried a significant premium, and the E53 is no different.

As for the competitive established, the E53 is kind of in a class of its own. The Audi S5 Convertible is more compact, considerably less effective and considerably less high-priced — really, it competes with Merc’s own AMG C43 Cabriolet. The Lexus LC Convertible starts off at $one zero one,000 and has a amazing, in a natural way aspirated V8, but it lacks a good deal of the Merc’s tech. The BMW 8 Sequence is a good deal bigger. And actually, I’d acquire the E53 around all of these.

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet is a wonderful luxurious convertible that gives fantastic appears to be like, excellent tech and fantastic street manners, but it is high-priced. Then once again, if you might be procuring for a car or truck in this section, you probably are not searching for a excellent price. Rate tag aside, you can find really small to dislike about the lovely AMG E53.