2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Subaru Legacy

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, had evolved from the sharper, boxier angles of its predecessor to adopt the fluid, curvier forms seen in the 2014 S-Class and 2015 C-Class. Mercedes' chief designer, Gorden Wagener, described this design theme as "sensual purity." The E-Class featured a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear resembled the W212 with horizontal taillights cutting into the trunk lid. New bumpers with larger air intakes, new exhaust tips, and new wheels were among the major changes. Despite the absence of the classic standing hood ornament, the E-Class remained a handsome and elegant car, available as a sedan, wagon, coupe, or convertible.

Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of decadent materials and exuberant style. Rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber adorned the cabin, sweeping across the curved dash and intricate doors. The interior featured metal speaker grilles, elaborate stitching, and incredible ambient lighting that interacted with the car's climate and mood settings. The black monolith on the dash revealed two 12-inch screens with crisp detail and brilliant color. For 2021, the instrument panel transitioned to a standard digital display, and the new steering wheels added a modern touch. The E-Class's interior was unmatched by any car at its price point, offering a lavish and modern experience.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy, often overlooked in the midsize-sedan segment, competed with popular models like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Available in six trim levels—Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring XT—the Legacy offered a range of premium features and equipment add-ons. The current-generation Legacy, introduced as a 2020 model, carried over much of the body and mechanics of the Subaru Outback wagon into sedan form. From the B-pillar forward, the Outback and Legacy were essentially the same vehicle, sharing a matching fascia, headlight design, windscreen angle, and dashboard setup.

For 2021, Subaru equipped the Legacy with standard low-beam and high-beam steering-responsive LED headlights and high-beam assist. While the Legacy's looks weren't particularly stylish or eye-catching, they aligned with Subaru's branding and buyer preferences for a safe and reassuring vehicle. The Legacy featured high-gloss stainless steel side-window and shoulder-line moldings, adding a touch of flash. The car's exterior trim elements varied by grade, with options for chrome and black-chrome finishes. The Legacy also offered power-folding outside mirrors, a power moonroof, and an All-Weather Package. Roof mounting points for Subaru genuine-accessory crossbars allowed for easy cargo and equipment mounting.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a significant change with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the highest-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid, featuring a 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a single turbo, producing 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system provided extra power and torque for brief moments, allowing the engine to shut off more often to save fuel and reduce emissions. The base E350's 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, revised for 2020, delivered adequate performance for everyday driving but lacked the expected performance of a $60,000 luxury car.

The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, powered by a 48-volt battery, to the E450's engine, resulting in 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The AMG E63 S, with a hand-built 4.0-liter V8 engine, produced 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, offering supercar-like performance. The E-Class's fuel economy varied, with the AMG models achieving lower ratings compared to the more common E450 and E350 models. The E450 4Matic and E350 4Matic sedans returned 26 mpg combined and 25 mpg combined, respectively.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Legacy's standard all-wheel drive system provided excellent stability and comfort over rough terrain. The 2.5-liter engine achieved an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined, while the turbocharged engine earned 24 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making everyday tasks easier and faster. The cabin was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom for four adults. The E-Class offered various seating configurations, including a stowable rear-facing jump seat in the wagon and comfortable rear seats in the coupe. The sedan provided 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the two-door models offered 10 cubic feet or less with the roof down. The E450 All-Terrain wagon, new for 2021, raised ground clearance and added plastic body cladding for a more rugged look.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy focused on comfort, with improved seat positioning and sound insulation. The Legacy offered a spacious cabin with plenty of back seat room for adults, making it suitable for extended periods. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel were available. The Legacy's trunk provided 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which was adequate for groceries and luggage but limited compared to some competitors.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, which included a touchscreen interface, natural voice processing, and online searches. The system offered various features, such as live feed overlays for navigation, massaging seats, and seat kinetics. While the system didn't update over-the-air, it included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional wireless phone charging and 4G WiFi. The E-Class also offered advanced driving assists, including lane-keeping and autonomous driving features.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy came with dual 7-inch infotainment and climate control displays on the base model, while higher trims featured an 11.6-inch infotainment screen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB ports, and automatic climate control. Higher trims added navigation, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and additional USB ports. The infotainment system was user-friendly, but the design and aesthetics were less sophisticated compared to the vehicle's overall elegance.

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+" rating from the IIHS. The E-Class featured advanced safety innovations, such as Pre-Safe Sound, side bolster inflation during a side collision, and crosswind countermeasures. 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 Legacy earned top scores in every category from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Legacy came standard with Subaru EyeSight technology, which included adaptive cruise control, pre-collision automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Additional safety features, such as reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring, were available. The Legacy's seat-belt monitoring system was very sensitive, and the EyeSight safety system could be adjusted through the infotainment system.