2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, which had been around since its 2019 hatchback launch and 2020 sedan debut, aimed to shed Toyota's "boring" reputation with bold exterior styling. It featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, though it couldn't quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesiveness of the Honda Civic. Different trim levels offered unique styling elements, such as the aggressive front fascia on SE and XSE models, blacked-out trim on Nightshade Editions, and a subtle body kit with bronze accents on Apex Editions. The SE Apex Edition, in particular, stood out with its "Fast and Furious" vibe, thanks to its Cement gray color and model-specific 18-inch wheels.

Inside, the Corolla's design was simpler but still appealing. The fit and finish met Toyota's high standards, although the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges. The SE Apex Edition's interior mirrored that of the standard SE, with no sporty enhancements and light gray upholstery that seemed susceptible to stains. Cloth upholstery was standard, with SofTex leatherette available on higher trims. The Corolla used the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, sharing structural elements with the Camry and RAV4.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a variety of body styles, including coupe, convertible, sedan, and station wagon, a rarity in the market. The E350 sedan featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while all variants could be equipped with the E450's turbo 3.0-liter inline-six with EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with 4Matic all-wheel drive available. AMG-tuned E53 models, except for the All-Terrain wagon, provided a more powerful version of the E450's engine.

Our test vehicle, the AMG E53 Cabriolet, boasted a base price of $85,400, which could escalate to nearly $110,000 with options like matte-finish paint, premium leather, and carbon fiber trim. The E53 Cabriolet exuded luxury with its AMG styling, larger wheels, convertible top, and matte-blue paint. Inside, it featured high-resolution digital displays, Burmester speaker grilles, and soft leather, creating an opulent atmosphere. The E53 Cabriolet's dual personality allowed it to be a quiet cruiser or a spirited performer, thanks to its AMG Dynamic Select driving modes and AMG-tuned air suspension.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla sedan offered two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE models came with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE models featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The Apex Edition versions of the SE and XSE had the same engine but with a sport exhaust system. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) was standard with the smaller engine, while the 2.0-liter engine could be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox on the SE and SE Apex Edition models. All 2022 Corolla models were front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive expected in 2023.

The SE Apex Edition's manual transmission complemented its sportier suspension, which included unique coil springs, solid stabilizer bars, and an increased spring rate. These changes improved handling, making the Apex Edition more nimble and responsive in corners, though at the cost of ride comfort. Despite its sporty aspirations, the Apex Edition lacked significant performance upgrades, making it less thrilling in straight-line acceleration. The standard Corolla was comfortable but not particularly exciting, and the Volkswagen Jetta offered a better commuter experience.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 models featured a 3.0-liter turbo-six engine with EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology, producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. This engine delivered robust performance across a wide rev range, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The AMG Speedshift nine-speed automatic transmission and AMG Performance 4Matic+ variable all-wheel drive system ensured efficient power delivery. Drivers could choose from multiple AMG Dynamic Select driving modes, which significantly altered the car's character.

The E53 Cabriolet's AMG-tuned air suspension and performance exhaust system, along with optional 20-inch wheels and summer performance tires, enhanced its driving dynamics. The car excelled as both a comfortable cruiser and a spirited performer, with the AMG Dynamic Select system allowing for quick adjustments. Despite some cowl shake due to the convertible design, the E53 Cabriolet felt solid and sure-footed on twisty roads. Its three-season suitability, thanks to features like heated seats and a neck-warming system, made it a versatile choice for various weather conditions.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior felt decently roomy, though specific headroom and legroom measurements were not provided. The low beltline improved outward visibility, but the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard hindered forward visibility. The driver's seat was positioned for optimal comfort, but long-legged drivers might still find knee space lacking. The tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel helped in finding a comfortable driving position. The front and rear seat cushions were squishy and not very supportive.

The Corolla sedan's 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space lagged behind competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. However, it did include a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat as standard, with a power trunk release available on certain trims. The sleek interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin center console and shallow cupholders. The angled phone tray, even with wireless charging, was too small and oddly shaped to be practical.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet was a true four-passenger convertible, offering comfortable seating for adults in both the front and rear. The Aircap system reduced cabin turbulence when the top was down. The focus was on driver and front passenger comfort, with standard heated seats, a heated steering wheel, rapid-heating front seats, and heated armrests. The Airscarf neck-warming system was also standard.

For hot weather, sun-reflective leather and available ventilated front seats kept the cabin cool. The triple-layer acoustic soft top helped maintain a quiet and comfortable interior. The test car featured multi-contour front seats with massage and an Air Balance interior fragrance system, enhancing long-drive comfort. With the top raised, the trunk offered 9.5 cubic feet of cargo space, which was reduced by half when the top was down, comparable to a Mazda MX-5 Miata.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system was starting to show its age. The base model came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio, along with a six-speaker audio system. A nine-speaker, 800-watt JBL audio system was available on higher trims.

The interface was user-friendly, with helpful home buttons for each menu, but some tasks, like selecting a radio station, were cumbersome. The graphics looked dated compared to newer systems from Hyundai and Kia. Additionally, Toyota did not offer wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Corolla lacked novel features like the Hyundai Elantra's Digital Key, which might not be a priority for all buyers.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class excelled in digital instrumentation and infotainment. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system featured two 12.3-inch screens—a touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster. These high-resolution displays were easy to read even in sunlight. MBUX could be controlled via the touchscreen, center console controls, digital voice assistant, or touch-sensing buttons on the steering wheel. The system was customizable and user-friendly.

MBUX included standard features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with upgrades like WiFi service and an augmented reality video overlay for navigation. This feature used the front-mounted camera feed to overlay directional arrows on the display screen, aiding navigation. A head-up display and a Burmester surround-sound audio system with metal speaker grilles were also available. The main challenges with MBUX were navigating its extensive menu structure and accidentally activating the digital assistant. In a convertible, wind noise could confuse the assistant, but this was expected.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla sedan and hatchback received the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award, the highest safety accolade, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. However, the headlights received lower "Acceptable" or "Marginal" ratings depending on the trim. The NHTSA awarded the Corolla hatchback and sedan a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests.

The Corolla came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features under the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 banner. These included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, Lane Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available but not standard on all trims.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class included standard safety features like forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The E-Class Cabriolet also had pop-up rollbars for rollover protection. Mercedes Pre Safe and Pre Safe Sound were standard, preparing the cabin and occupants for a collision and protecting ears from loud noises during an impact.

Active Parking Assist, a semi-autonomous parking aid, and a surround-view camera system were standard on the AMG E53, along with rain-sensing wipers with Magic Vision Control. Most other safety features were part of the extra-cost Driver Assistance Package, which included adaptive cruise control, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Steering Assist, front automatic braking for cross traffic, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, and Pre Safe Plus. The test car had this package, and the adaptive cruise control and Active Steering Assist were particularly impressive.