2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, debuted in 2017 with a design shift from the sharper angles of the W212 to a more fluid and curvier form, aligning with the 2014 S-Class and 2015 C-Class. This "sensual purity" design theme, as described by Mercedes' chief designer Gorden Wagener, gave the E-Class a smooth and elegant appearance. For 2021, the E-Class received updates like squinted headlights, an inverted trapezoid grille, and horizontal taillights, making it edgier upfront and reminiscent of the W212 from behind. The removal of the standing hood ornament on sedans and wagons marked a significant change, aligning with the popular Sport style that features a large star emblem in the grille. The interior of the E-Class was a luxurious blend of rich woods, aluminum, carbon fiber, and intricate details like metal speaker grilles and elaborate stitching, creating a lavish and modern cabin.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, while not drastically different in exterior styling from its predecessor, boasted a drag coefficient of 0.22, making it more aerodynamically efficient than a Toyota Prius. The new S-Class was slightly larger, with a longer wheelbase, and came standard with 19-inch wheels, with 20-inch and 21-inch options available. The interior was designed around the infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, with a minimalist approach that eliminated the usual rotary controller and round air vents. The ambient lighting system was significantly enhanced, featuring about 250 LED elements and 64 color options. The interior materials included Nappa leather upholstery, open-pore wood trim, and aluminum inlays, with a two-panel glass roof providing ample light for both front and rear occupants. However, the piano-black trim was prone to smudging and reflected sunlight, detracting from the overall luxury feel.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a significant change with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the E450 model, making it a hybrid. The E450's 3.0-liter inline-six engine, with a single turbo and a 48-volt electrical system, produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft available from the electric starter-generator. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, boosting output to 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, while the AMG E63 S featured a hand-built 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. The E-Class offered a range of driving experiences, from the comfortable and efficient E350 with its 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine to the high-performance AMG models. Fuel economy varied, with the E450 4Matic achieving 26 mpg combined, while the AMG E63 sedan managed 18 mpg combined.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered two main powertrains: the S500 4Matic with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, and the S580 4Matic with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine generating 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both models featured the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system, which added 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque for short bursts. The S500 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, while the S580 achieved the same in 4.4 seconds, with both models electronically limited to a top speed of 130 mph. The S-Class also introduced rear-wheel steering, reducing the turning circle by seven feet, and offered an E-Active Body Control suspension system for enhanced ride comfort and handling. Despite its size, the S-Class maintained composure on twisty roads and provided a smooth and comfortable ride.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making everyday tasks easier. The cabin was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. The E-Class offered various body styles, including sedan, coupe, convertible, and wagon, each with different cargo capacities. The sedan provided 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the wagon offered up to 64 cubic feet with all seats folded. The coupe and convertible had less trunk space, especially with the roof down. The E-Class also introduced the E450 All-Terrain wagon, which raised ground clearance and added plastic body cladding for a more rugged look.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class provided more front and rear headroom and rear legroom than its predecessor, with segment-leading shoulder room. Cargo space increased to 12.9 cubic feet, although it remained less than some competitors. The S-Class featured power-adjustable front seats with 19 motors, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, along with tiny pillows for the head restraints. The removal of many analog controls freed up storage space in the center console, which included a large storage bin, a wireless phone charger, and cupholders. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a large console/armrest with cupholders and climate controls, and the optional Executive Line package added power-adjustable rear seats and four-zone climate control.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a touchscreen interface, natural voice processing, and online searches. The system included a live feed from the front camera with overlay arrows and street names, massaging seats with side bolsters, and seat kinetics to prevent discomfort during long drives. While the system didn't support over-the-air updates, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and various connected services. Optional driving assists included lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control, and limited autonomous driving capabilities. The instrument cluster allowed for customizable displays, ranging from traditional analog gauges to futuristic bar graphs and zany colors.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six USB ports. The updated MBUX system offered increased computing power and a more touchscreen-reliant interface. Functions like climate control and seat massagers were integrated into the central screen, while hard buttons remained for essential functions. The S-Class also included an augmented-reality head-up display, projecting navigation arrows onto the windshield. The digital instrument cluster had beautiful graphics, but the steering-wheel touchpads were small and difficult to use. The ambient lighting system reacted to certain functions, providing visual feedback for driver warnings and voice commands. The S-Class allowed for personal profiles accessed via biometric or facial recognition, and rear-seat occupants could send navigation directions to the main screen upfront.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on sale, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS for the sedan and wagon models. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included rear side airbags, Pre-Safe Sound, and side bolsters that shifted occupants away from doors during a side collision. The coupe and cabriolet models were not tested but were expected to offer similar safety levels.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it included a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard driver-assist features included adaptive cruise control, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition, a driver-attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. The S-Class also introduced an industry-first rear-passenger airbag and a new steering wheel with capacitive sensors to detect if the driver was holding the wheel. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems performed exceptionally well, handling highway curves and reacting smoothly to traffic changes.