2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, departed from its previous sharper, boxier angles to adopt more fluid and curvier forms, reminiscent of the 2014 S-Class and 2015 C-Class. This design approach, labeled "sensual purity" by Mercedes' chief designer Gorden Wagener, aimed for a more elegant and luxurious aesthetic. For 2021, the E-Class introduced subtle but significant changes: squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille up front, while the rear borrowed horizontal taillights cutting into the trunk lid from the W212. New bumpers with larger air intakes, updated exhaust tips, and fresh wheel designs further enhanced its appeal. While the standing hood ornament, previously standard on the Luxury package, was no longer an option, the car maintained its signature elegance across sedans, wagons, coupes, and convertibles.

The interior of the E-Class excelled in opulence. Rich woods, from polished to matte finishes, and materials like aluminum and carbon fiber combined with meticulous details like metal speaker grilles with optional illuminated tweeters and intricate stitching on leatherette and real leather surfaces. The ambient lighting system was particularly sophisticated, capable of animating, fading, and interacting with the car's climate and mood settings. The dashboard featured two stunning 12-inch screens that provided crisp detail and vibrant color. Notably, the 2021 model year switched to a fully digital instrument panel with a range of new steering wheels that added a modern touch to the interior.

Contrastingly, the 2021 BMW 5 Series prided itself on restrained elegance. The sedan’s design was subtly refreshed, giving it a sleeker appearance with streamlined LED headlights and a larger but balanced twin-kidney grille. The rear featured trapezoidal tailpipes, L-shaped taillights, and updated bumpers with the M Sport Package. These enhancements elevated the 5 Series' sophistication without pushing it over the top.

Inside, the BMW 5 Series adhered to a classic layout with instantly recognizable BMW elements, such as the touchscreen’s positioning, unique shifter design, and specific typefaces and chimes. High-end options included Nappa leather upholstery and aluminum trim with an unusual scale pattern, while the standard leather-wrapped sport steering wheel felt slightly out of place due to its bulky feel. Nevertheless, the consistent BMW identity was a hallmark throughout.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced a significant transition from V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for its mainstream models. The E450 adopted a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six supplemented by a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an additional boost from the electric starter-generator. This setup aimed to provide a balance of power and efficiency, though its performance felt similar to the previous V6. The base E350 featured a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering adequate but underwhelming power for a luxury car at this price point.

The AMG E53 model leveraged the E450's engine with an added electrically-driven supercharger for even brisker acceleration, producing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. This model retained the E-Class's characteristic comfort while enhancing performance with quick shifts and responsive handling in sportier driving modes. The pinnacle, however, was the AMG E63 S with its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that churned out 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a true performance beast.

BMW's 2021 5 Series offered a range of powertrain options starting with the 530i's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, delivering a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. The 540i stepped up with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph performance of 4.9 seconds for the rear-wheel-drive variant.

For enthusiasts, the M550i xDrive offered a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 532 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, reducing the 0-60 mph time to 3.9 seconds. The range-topping M5 featured an even more powerful version of this V8 engine, with up to 617 hp in the Competition model, achieving a blistering 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds. Notably, the 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to deliver 288 hp and a fully-electric driving capability, expanding the flexibility of the 5 Series lineup.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class provided a capacious and luxurious interior. The spacious cabin comfortably accommodated four adults, offering generous headroom and legroom. The sedan featured 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the wagon provided 35 cubic feet, expandable to 64 cubic feet with the seats folded. Coupe and convertible models had limited rear-seat space due to their sleek designs and folding roof mechanism. The All-Terrain variant of the wagon, new for 2021, featured enhanced ground clearance and rugged body cladding.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available only as a sedan in the U.S., compensated with ample interior space. Though paper measurements suggested less rear seat room compared to some rivals, the reality was a comfortable and spacious environment. The 540i offered 14 cubic feet of trunk space with a 40/20/20 split-folding rear bench for added versatility. The 5 Series also featured 16-way power front seats with customizable support and optional heating and ventilation.

Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) was the highlight of the 2021 E-Class, featuring a touch-sensitive screen, natural voice processing, and gesture-based controls. This system impressed with its intuitive interface, while extras like massaging seats and scent diffusers highlighted the luxurious experience. However, it lacked over-the-air updates and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, with these features being notable absentees.

BMW’s 2021 5 Series adopted the iDrive 7 system on a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. This system included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. The intuitive rotary knob controller offered a tactile alternative to touchscreen inputs, and while gesture controls were available, they felt less precise than traditional knobs.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class achieved a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and was a "Top Safety Pick+" by IIHS for the 2020 model. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with an array of optional driver-assist technologies.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, virtually identical to the 2020 model, also received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS. Standard features encompassed lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring, while the optional Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and advanced emergency stop systems.