2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2020 BMW 2 Series

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was a departure from the traditional two-door coupe design, adopting a four-door layout with a sloping roofline. This change aligned with a broader trend among German automakers to redefine the term "coupe." The Gran Coupe shared its platform with the BMW X1 and X2, as well as the Mini Clubman and Countryman, featuring a front-wheel-drive bias. The front end of the 2 Series Gran Coupe echoed the styling of the larger 8 Series, with swooping headlights and an angular twin-kidney grille. However, the rear design struggled to maintain the aesthetic of the two-door coupe, with evident pillars and awkward window trim. Inside, the Gran Coupe offered a modern cockpit with solid fit-and-finish, though it lacked the elegance of Mercedes-Benz interiors.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class embraced a design philosophy called "sensual purity," characterized by fluid, curvier forms. The E-Class featured a more aggressive front end with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear design harkened back to the W212 generation with horizontal taillights. The E-Class was available in various body styles, including sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible, each exuding elegance. The interior was a showcase of luxurious materials, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber adorning the cabin. The E-Class offered a spacious and inviting environment, with ample headroom and legroom for four adults. The coupe and convertible models provided comfortable rear seats, while the wagon boasted impressive cargo space.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series offered a range of powertrains, with the 228i Gran Coupe featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering power to the front wheels or xDrive all-wheel drive. While the engine was refined, it suffered from turbo lag, affecting acceleration from a standstill. The Gran Coupe's steering was sharp and responsive, but its front-wheel-drive layout lacked the organic feel of the rear-wheel-drive Coupe and Convertible models. The M235i variant offered more power with 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, while the M240i boasted a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with 335 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced electrified inline-six powertrains for the E450 model, featuring a 3.0-liter engine with a 48-volt electrical system. This setup provided an additional 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque for brief moments, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. The E450 delivered 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, while the AMG E53 added a second turbo, producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The AMG E63 S, with its hand-built 4.0-liter V8 engine, generated 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. The E-Class offered a smooth and comfortable ride, with the AMG models delivering impressive performance without sacrificing comfort.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe provided supportive and comfortable front seats, but rear-seat legroom was limited, making it suitable for one or two passengers. The cockpit layout was straightforward, with easy-to-locate climate controls. The Gran Coupe offered 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, surpassing competitors like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The Coupe and Convertible models provided 13.1 and 11.8 cubic feet of cargo space, respectively.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, enhancing usability. The cabin was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. The coupe and convertible models offered usable rear seats, while the wagon provided generous cargo space with 35 cubic feet or 64 cubic feet with seats folded. The E-Class sedan offered 13 cubic feet of trunk space, and the two-door models had 10 cubic feet or less with the roof down.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display, offering touch functionality and Android Auto. It also featured wireless Apple CarPlay and a fully-digital instrument panel with customizable navigation display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with touch functionality and center console buttons for easy navigation.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced the MBUX system, offering a touchscreen interface with improved organization and natural voice processing. The system featured gesture control, live camera feeds with overlays, and optional extras like massaging seats and seat kinetics. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless, the E-Class offered 4G WiFi and connected services. The instrument cluster allowed for customizable displays, providing a modern and dynamic experience.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning. Available features included adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assistance, and blind-spot monitoring. The driver-assist systems were seamless and customizable.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS. It featured innovations like Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during side collisions. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with 14 optional driver-assist features.