2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Subaru WRX

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation introduced in 2017, showcased a departure from the sharper, boxier angles of its predecessor to embrace 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 the major changes, maintaining the car's handsome and elegant appearance across its sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible variants.

However, the standing hood ornament on the sedans and wagons was no longer available, a classic Mercedes look that was replaced by a giant star emblem in the grille for the Sport package. This change catered to the popular demand for the Sport style, although some found it gaudy, especially when backlit. The AMG models, with their vertical grille slats and quad exhaust tips, embraced a more dramatic look suitable for their performance capabilities. Inside, the E-Class cabin was a luxurious space filled with rich woods, aluminum, carbon fiber, and intricate details like metal speaker grilles and elaborate stitching. The dual 12-inch screens, new for 2021, added a modern touch to the lavish interior.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, on the other hand, offered a more subtle exterior design despite being two inches wider than its predecessor. The front end featured a small hexagonal grille and sharp LED headlights, with a signature hood scoop adding a touch of aggression. Along the sides, the WRX displayed a cleaner profile with black plastic cladding that served both aesthetic and aerodynamic purposes. The rear fenders flared outward, and the rear featured a large plastic bumper and quad tailpipes. The taillights had a multifaceted design meant to resemble illuminated magma. The overall look was smoother and more streamlined, though the body cladding could be distracting on brightly colored models like the Solar Orange test car.

Inside, the WRX saw significant improvements in fit and finish, with a D-shaped steering wheel, aluminum-alloy pedal covers, carbon-fiber-pattern trim accents, and black cloth seats with red contrast stitching. The interior finally matched the modernity of other Subaru models, making it a more appealing choice for buyers seeking both performance and comfort.

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 powertrain, introduced on the AMG E53 in 2019, featured a 48-volt electrical system supplementing the common 12-volt system. A small lithium-ion battery powered an electric starter-generator, providing extra power and torque for brief periods and allowing the engine to shut off more frequently to save fuel and reduce emissions. The 3.0-liter inline-six engine produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional overboost from the battery.

The AMG E53 added 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, with its hand-built 4.0-liter V8 engine, delivered a staggering 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a true performance beast. 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 returning 26 mpg combined, while the AMG E63 sedan managed 18 mpg combined.

The 2022 Subaru WRX featured a new 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 2.0-liter turbo. This engine, also used in the Outback and Legacy XT models, produced 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. While the power increase was minimal, the WRX's performance-focused customers might have found it lacking compared to competitors like the Volkswagen GTI. The WRX came standard with all-wheel drive and offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

The manual transmission provided a satisfying driving experience with its notchy and precise shifts, while the CVT offered faster upshifts and downshifts compared to the previous generation. The new WRX also featured a more forgiving suspension, thanks to the Subaru Global Platform, which improved ride quality and reduced body roll. Despite its performance capabilities, the WRX's fuel economy figures were not provided, but it was expected to be less efficient than the E-Class.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a spacious and luxurious cabin with ample headroom and legroom for four adults. The seats were supportive, and the rear seats featured knee cutouts and a scalloped roof for taller passengers. However, the E53 model lacked rear USB ports, a separate climate zone, soft-close doors, and heated rear seats, despite its $101,000 MSRP. The coupe and convertible models had less rear seat space, with the convertible being particularly cramped due to the folding soft top. The wagon variant provided the most cargo space, with 35 cubic feet or 64 cubic feet with the seats folded, and even included a stowable rear-facing jump seat.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, while not offering a hatchback option, saw a slight increase in cargo capacity to 12.5 cubic feet, with the rear seats featuring a 60/40 split-fold function for added versatility. The sport seats were comfortable and supportive, with premium cloth materials in the base and Premium trims, and Ultrasuede in the Limited and GT trims. The seats provided ample bolstering without feeling too tight, making the WRX a viable commuter vehicle. The inclusion of standard all-wheel drive added to its practicality, making it a standout choice in its price range.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the latest MBUX infotainment system, with a touchscreen interface that was more user-friendly than previous versions. The system included natural voice processing, online searches, and a live feed from the front camera with overlay arrows and street names. Optional features like massaging seats, seat kinetics, and a wireless phone charger added to the luxury experience. However, the system did not support over-the-air updates, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, particularly in the premium trim and higher, featured an 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen display, similar to those found in newer Outback and Legacy models. The system included physical controls for climate control, power and volume, tuning, and defrost functions, with other functions accessed via touchscreen controls. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration was not seamless, with Android Auto only displaying on the top half of the screen. The base trim featured a less elegant setup with two 7-inch displays stacked on top of each other. An 11-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo system was available on higher trims.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on sale, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The E-Class featured advanced safety innovations like Pre-Safe Sound, which played a "pink noise" during a crash to protect eardrums, and side bolsters that inflated to shift occupants away from the doors in a side collision. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with 14 additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2022 Subaru WRX's safety features varied depending on the transmission. CVT-equipped models came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist. The system also included an electronic brake booster and automatic steering assist. However, manual transmission models did not offer EyeSight due to the risk of stalling during panic stops. Blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert was available on the Limited and GT trims. The WRX also featured seven airbags, including a driver's-side knee airbag, as standard equipment.