2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, showcased a design evolution that embraced the "sensual purity" theme, moving away from the sharper lines of its predecessor. This model featured a more fluid and curvier form, reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models from earlier years. The E-Class received updates such as squinted headlights, an inverted trapezoid grille, and horizontal taillights, giving it a slightly edgier appearance. Despite these changes, it maintained its reputation as a handsome and elegant vehicle, available in sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible forms. Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of luxury, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber accents, complemented by advanced technology like dual 12-inch screens and a digital instrument panel. The interior was lavish and modern, offering a rich and inviting space that was unmatched in its class.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Impreza adopted a more conservative design approach compared to its previous iterations. While it may not have been immediately recognizable as a Subaru, it still presented a handsome design with sleek headlights and taillights that added a sense of width. The Impreza's body featured subtle scalloping for visual flair, and the Sport models received specific styling touches like 18-inch alloy wheels. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Impreza offered a refined driving experience. Inside, the design was typical of compact cars, with a focus on practicality. The infotainment system was housed in a split dashboard, and higher trims offered features like contrast stitching and leather upholstery. While not as luxurious as the E-Class, the Impreza provided a solid and functional interior.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced significant changes to its powertrain lineup, with the E450 model transitioning to an electrified inline-six engine. This hybrid system, featuring a 48-volt electrical system, provided additional power and torque for brief moments, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. The E450's 3.0-liter engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with overboost available for extra performance. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, delivering 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, offering brisk acceleration and a refined driving experience. The AMG E63 S, with its 4.0-liter V8 engine, produced an impressive 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a high-performance variant. Despite its power, the E-Class maintained a comfortable ride, with fuel economy ratings ranging from 18 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the model.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. This engine configuration allowed for a lower center of gravity, enhancing stability. Most Impreza models came with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while a five-speed manual was available on select trims. The Impreza Sport featured model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for improved handling. While the Impreza offered a solid and refined ride, it lacked the engagement of some competitors. The Sport trim provided a good balance between ride quality and handling, but the engine's power was modest, making it less of a driver's car compared to sportier options.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a spacious cabin, accommodating four adults comfortably with ample headroom and legroom. The interior featured supportive cushions and thoughtful design elements like knee cutouts and a scalloped roof. However, some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats were missing in certain trims. The E-Class sedan provided 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the wagon offered up to 64 cubic feet with seats folded. The coupe and convertible had less rear seat space, with the convertible's soft top affecting usability. The E450 All-Terrain wagon added ground clearance and body cladding for a more rugged look.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza, available in sedan and hatchback forms, offered reasonable legroom but slightly below-average headroom. The sedan's trunk space was limited at 12.3 cubic feet, but the hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 55.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The Impreza hatchback also featured standard roof rails on most trims. Higher trims included an All-Weather Package with heated seats and mirrors, while the Sport trim added keyless entry and pushbutton start. The Limited trim offered a power driver's seat and automatic climate control, with a power moonroof available as an option.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, offering a touchscreen interface with improved organization and gesture controls. The system included natural voice processing and online searches, similar to virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa. Advanced features like live camera feeds with overlay arrows and massaging seats with side bolsters were available. While the system didn't support over-the-air updates, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly. Optional driving assists provided semi-autonomous capabilities, enhancing safety and convenience. The instrument cluster allowed for customizable displays, adding a modern touch to the driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on base and Premium trims, while higher trims received an 8-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an optional TomTom-based navigation system and Harman Kardon audio on the Limited trim. A secondary display provided additional information, though it seemed redundant with the gauge cluster display. The Impreza's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and easy access to important functions. While not as advanced as the E-Class, it offered a straightforward and functional experience for tech-savvy drivers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was recognized for its safety, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS for the sedan. It featured innovative safety technologies like Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during collisions. 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 Subaru Impreza received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with high crash test scores. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The Impreza came with Subaru's EyeSight safety suite on CVT-equipped models, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.