2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Toyota Corolla

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 the fluid, curvier forms seen in 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 reminiscent of the W212. The standing hood ornament was removed, aligning with the popular Sport style that features a large star emblem in the grille. The interior of the E-Class was a showcase of luxury, with rich woods, aluminum, carbon fiber, and intricate details like metal speaker grilles and elaborate stitching. The cabin was equipped with two 12-inch screens, a new digital instrument panel, and advanced steering wheels with touch-sensitive controls, making it a modern and lavish space.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla, particularly in the SE and XSE trims, was considered the most attractive Corolla in recent history. These trims featured sport-design bumpers, a mesh grille insert, a body kit, twin-outlet exhaust, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The Celestite Gray metallic paint added to its appeal. However, some design elements, like the hood shut line and the over-styled rear bumper, were less well-received. The Corolla SE and XSE trims offered a more powerful engine, different transmissions, and sportier styling. The interior of the Corolla XSE was significantly improved, with soft leatherette, padded upper door panels, and robust switchgear, giving it a sense of substance. The design was clean and minimalist, though practical storage was somewhat lacking.

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. This system used a 48-volt electrical system to provide extra power and torque, allowing the engine to shut off more often to save fuel and reduce emissions. The E450's 3.0-liter I6 engine produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional overboost from the battery. The base E350's 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 255 hp, was adequate for everyday driving but lacked the performance expected of a luxury car. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, boosting power to 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, while the AMG E63 S featured a 4.0-liter V8 engine with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. The E-Class offered a range of driving experiences, from the comfortable and quiet E450 to the high-performance AMG models. Fuel economy varied, with the E450 4Matic achieving 26 mpg combined, while the AMG E63 S managed 18 mpg combined.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla SE and XSE were powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The Dynamic Shift CVT, with paddle shifters and a Sport driving mode, provided a responsive driving experience. A six-speed manual gearbox was also available for the SE trim. The Corolla's TNGA platform contributed to its enjoyable driving dynamics, with electric steering, vented front brakes, and a multi-link rear suspension. The SE and XSE trims featured 18-inch aluminum wheels and more aggressive tires. While not a sport sedan, the Corolla XSE offered engaging and predictable handling, making it a competent compact car. The EPA rated the Corolla XSE at 34 mpg combined, and real-world driving yielded an average of 31.1 mpg.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making it more user-friendly. The cabin was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom for four adults. The E-Class offered various body styles, including sedan, coupe, convertible, and wagon, each with different cargo capacities. The sedan had 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 being the most compromised due to the folding soft top. The E-Class All-Terrain wagon added ground clearance and plastic body cladding for a more rugged look.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE provided numerous interior upgrades, including SofTex leatherette seats with striped fabric inserts, front-seat heating, and an eight-way power driver's seat. The rear seats offered good support but had limited headroom and legroom. The Corolla sedan's trunk had 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback version offered 17.8 cubic feet. The interior design was clean and minimalist, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, natural voice processing, and online searches. The system included features like live camera feeds with overlay arrows, massaging seats, and seat kinetics. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless, the E-Class offered 4G WiFi and various connected services. Optional driving assists included lane-changing assistance, curve slowing, and limited autonomous driving capabilities. The instrument cluster could display information in various styles, from traditional analog gauges to modern digital graphics.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla added Android Auto as standard equipment, joining Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Corolla SE and XSE featured an 8-inch touchscreen, with the XSE also offering Service Connect and Remote Connect. The SE and XSE trims could be equipped with a nine-speaker JBL premium sound system, dynamic voice recognition, and dynamic navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and shortcut buttons for easy access to various functions.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on the market, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for the sedan. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included rear side airbags and advanced driver-assist systems.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Corolla also added rear side-impact airbags and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic warning. The 2020 Corolla received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.