2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213-generation, debuted in 2017 and marked a shift from the sharper, boxier design of its predecessor to a more fluid and curvier form, reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class designs of earlier years. The concept of "sensual purity" guided the design philosophy, making the E-Class a smooth, curvy silhouette with more edgy elements in the 2021 update, such as squinted headlights and a more aggressive grille. It remained an elegant option whether chosen as a sedan, wagon, coupe, or convertible. A notable change was the removal of the standing hood ornament, a classic element that traditionally signified Mercedes luxury. The AMG models featured vertical grille slats and a prominent star emblem, exuding a stronger, more sporty aesthetic.

The interior of the E-Class was a celebration of luxurious materials and exuberant style. Rich woods—polished or matte—dominated the space, and options included aluminum or carbon fiber accents. The cabin was filled with thoughtful details like metal speaker grilles, elaborate stitching, and sophisticated ambient lighting. The dash featured a black monolith with two 12-inch screens providing crisp, vibrant displays. The steering wheels were also newly designed, adding a futuristic feel with touch-sensitive controls. Despite being five years into its lifecycle, the E-Class interior remained unmatched in its price range.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus ES, part of a lineage dating back to 1990, brought a balance of elegance and practicality. While sales had dipped since its peak, the ES continued to sustain its appeal with the latest iteration introduced in 2018. This model, built on the GA-K platform shared with the RX, Camry, and Avalon, featured a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout with available all-wheel drive. The ES boasted sleek proportions and a fastback roofline, offering a more restrained elegance compared to the Mercedes. The prominent spindle grille and assertive headlamps were divisive; while the ES maintained Lexus' signature aesthetic, the 18-inch wheels looked best, as the 19-inch options appeared almost humorous.

Inside, the Lexus ES interior was well-crafted but somewhat less flamboyant than the Mercedes. The dashboard's asymmetrical design provided a cockpit feel for the driver but looked slightly cluttered. The interior of the ES F Sport model added bold two-tone leather seats that were eye-catching yet somewhat discordant with the rest of the car. An analog chronometer was inset into the touchscreen housing, giving a nod to heritage but appearing outdated amidst the cabin's otherwise modern technology.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class presented a significant update with the transition from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the high-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid using a secondary 48-volt electrical system that supplemented the traditional 12-volt system. This hybrid setup included a small lithium-ion battery powering an electric starter-generator, offering extra power and torque briefly, and enabling features like engine shut-off at highway speeds to save fuel and reduce emissions. While the new system felt complex, it ensured the 3.0-liter I6 engine delivered a robust 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, maintaining smooth performance.

The AMG E53 took the E450’s engine a step further, adding a second turbo (technically a supercharger) powered by the 48-volt battery, resulting in 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The AMG E63 S led the pack with a hand-built 4.0-liter V8, producing an awe-inspiring 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, paired with a race-ready chassis, enabled impressive 0-60 mph acceleration akin to exotic supercars. Despite these high-performance options, regular E-Class models like the E350 with a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine remained somewhat underpowered and less exciting.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered three powertrain options. The base ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, and an EPA rating of 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. However, its 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds felt sluggish for a luxury sedan. The ES 350, powered by a 3.5-liter V6, delivered 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, enabling a more respectable 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. This model was front-wheel drive only, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined.

The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor, producing a net 215 hp. This hybrid variant offered a balanced performance with better fuel efficiency, achieving 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined. Its 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds was slightly quicker than the base model but still lacked excitement.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned touchscreen and infotainment system, improving ease of use and functionality. Despite some improvements over earlier models, the touchpads on the steering wheel, shaped like rhombuses, were less intuitive. Nonetheless, shortcuts for navigation, stereo, and other settings were conveniently available. The E's cabin was spacious, supporting four adults comfortably with ample headroom and legroom. However, the E53 AMG lacked rear USB ports, separate climate zones, and heated rear seats despite its hefty price tag.

Cargo capacity varied across E-Class models. The sedan offered 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the coupe and convertible had reduced capacity at 10 cubic feet (even less with the roof down). The wagon excelled with 35 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 64 cubic feet with all seats folded. The new E450 All-Terrain model added versatility with raised ground clearance and plastic body cladding, similar to a Subaru Outback.

The 2022 Lexus ES boasted a generous 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, carried over even in the hybrid ES 300h, as its battery placement didn’t impact storage. The second row in the ES 250 and ES 350 could fold flat, further enhancing cargo capacity for larger items. The ES offered superior fuel economy, a lower center of gravity, and better handling than its SUV counterpart, the Lexus RX. Inside, the ES provided ample storage options with large bottle pockets, cupholders, and a spacious center console bin, ensuring convenience during travel.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the advanced MBUX infotainment system, with a 12-inch touchscreen that was highly responsive to touch, swipe, and poke inputs. The software streamlined menus and added gesture controls for easier navigation. Noteworthy features included live camera feed overlays for navigation, massaging seats with side bolsters, and seat kinetics functions. While the system lacked over-the-air updates and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, it offered abundant connected services and optional driving assists capable of near-autonomous driving.

The 2022 Lexus ES came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system. Upper trims enjoyed a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and a premium 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. Despite improvements over previous models, the center console touchpad interface remained challenging to use on rough roads. A 10-inch head-up display, available on higher trims, provided critical driving information in the driver's line of sight, enhancing safety and convenience. Additional features like a Panoramic View Monitor and Intuitive Parking Assist added further practicality.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was a leader in safety, earning a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, although the driver's side received four stars in the frontal crash test. The 2020 model was rated a "Top Safety Pick+" by IIHS. The E-Class offered forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring as standard; additional driver-assist features were optional.

The 2022 Lexus ES also excelled in safety, receiving a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 with pre-collision, lane-departure warning, road-sign assist, and adaptive cruise control. Every ES also included standard blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, ten airbags, and three years of Lexus Enform Safety Connect service.