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

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, was a refined evolution from its predecessor, adopting a more fluid and curvaceous design reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. This design philosophy, termed "sensual purity" by Mercedes' chief designer, Gorden Wagener, was evident in the E-Class's elegant yet slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille. The rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights cutting into the trunk lid. The E-Class maintained its reputation for elegance across its sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible variants, despite the absence of the classic standing hood ornament on the sedans and wagons. The interior was a showcase of luxury, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber accents, and a high-tech dashboard featuring two 12-inch screens. The cabin was a blend of opulence and modernity, with features like metal speaker grilles, elaborate stitching, and ambient lighting enhancing the luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced the previous year, marked BMW's first foray into front-wheel drive in the U.S. market. Despite its name, the Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, offering a more affordable entry into the BMW brand. Available in 228i and M235i models, the Gran Coupe featured optional xDrive all-wheel-drive for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The design aimed to balance proportions with visual tricks like large LED headlights and grilles to mitigate the perception of excessive front overhang. Inside, the 2 Series adhered to BMW's modern design language with geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation. The cabin materials were upscale, with metallic trim adding contrast, and the optional leather upholstery enhancing the premium feel. Despite being an entry-level model, the 2 Series Gran Coupe, when well-equipped, exuded a sense of sophistication.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a significant shift in its powertrain lineup, moving from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for its high-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid, utilizing a 48-volt electrical system to supplement the traditional 12-volt system. This setup included an electric starter-generator that provided up to 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque for brief periods, allowing for smoother engine restarts and improved fuel efficiency. The E450's 3.0-liter inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional power available through the battery's overboost. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, technically a supercharger, powered by the 48-volt battery, resulting in 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The AMG E63 S, with its hand-built 4.0-liter V8 engine, delivered a staggering 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a performance powerhouse. Despite the impressive power figures, the E-Class maintained a focus on comfort and refinement, with variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased all-wheel drive enhancing its driving dynamics.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, particularly the 228i xDrive model, offered a spirited driving experience with its 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and optional xDrive all-wheel drive, the 2 Series Gran Coupe delivered a zero-to-60 mph time of six seconds. The car featured performance-enhancing technologies like brake-fade compensation, cornering brake control, and multiple driving modes, including a Sport mode that sharpened the car's responses. The M Sport Package further enhanced the driving experience with M Sport steering, providing swift and direct feedback. While the suspension was on the firm side, the Gran Coupe felt well-planted on the road, offering a balance of agility and comfort. The 2 Series Gran Coupe averaged 27.9 mpg during testing, slightly exceeding the EPA's estimate of 27 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a spacious and luxurious cabin, accommodating four adults comfortably. The seats provided ample headroom and legroom, with supportive cushions and knee cutouts on the seatbacks. However, some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats were absent in the E53 model, despite its high price tag. The coupe variant offered usable rear seats, while the convertible's rear seats were less accommodating due to the folding soft top. The wagon variant provided additional cargo space, with a stowable rear-facing jump seat and up to 64 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the seats folded. The sedan offered 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the two-door models had 10 cubic feet or less with the roof down.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, while practical for two occupants, presented challenges in rear-seat accessibility and comfort. The sport-bolstered front seats were snug yet comfortable, but entry and exit required some effort due to the car's low-slung design. The rear seats were cramped, with limited headroom and legroom, making them less suitable for taller passengers. The Gran Coupe's trunk offered 15.2 cubic feet of space, including a storage compartment under the load floor, and the 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added some utility. However, the fast roofline did not provide the added cargo capacity of a sportback design, limiting its practicality compared to other Gran Coupe models in BMW's lineup.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, which allowed for touch, swipe, and voice interactions. The interface was well-organized, with shortcut buttons for major functions and gesture controls that enhanced usability. The system included features like live camera feeds with overlay arrows for navigation, massaging seats with side bolsters, and seat kinetics to prevent discomfort during long drives. While the system did not support over-the-air updates, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly. Optional driving assists provided semi-autonomous capabilities, and the instrument cluster offered customizable displays with various graphics and colors.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came equipped with Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch display between analog gauges. The Premium Package upgraded this to Live Cockpit Pro, with a fully digital 10.25-inch display and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by iDrive 7.0 technology. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and navigation, with over-the-air updates keeping it current. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with responsive controls and voice recognition technology. The car also offered a premium sound system with ten speakers and an optional Gesture Control feature for audio adjustments. A full-color head-up display was available, though it was less effective with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was highly regarded for its safety features, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for the sedan and wagon models. The E-Class sedan was also a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS, with top ratings in crash tests, headlights, and collision-avoidance systems. The coupe and cabriolet models were not tested but were expected to offer similar safety levels. The E-Class included innovative safety features like Pre-Safe Sound, side bolster inflation during side collisions, and crosswind assistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a range of advanced driving-assistance systems under the Active Driving Assistant umbrella. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, active blind-spot warning, and a speed limit information system. The lane-keeping assistance system was noted for its effectiveness, though it could be overly aggressive at times. The IIHS rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe highly for crash protection, but it did not earn a Top Safety Pick due to subpar headlight ratings and less-than-perfect vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.