by Michael Satterfield - 07/14/2022
Mercedes AMG has long been known for striking the perfect balance between luxury and thrilling performance and the AMG E53 doesn't disappoint on either front. Just like the standard E-Class, the AMG E53 is offered in a sedan, coupe, or convertible, but unlike the standard car, the E53 packs 429 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive. The AMG of course also is outfitted with a number of other unique features, adjustable air suspension, a fully digital instrument display, and sporty bucket seats.
Every AMG E53 features the turbocharged and supercharged 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder, with 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The nine-speed automatic does allow you to play with the gears via the paddle shifters on the steering wheel, however, I found it was more fun to just drive the car and let the computer do the work of shifting. Steering is direct and sharp, and paired with the adjustable suspension in Sport+ mode makes for a very fun back road drive. Swapping back to comfort mode and the E53 soaks up the bumps and dips of the highway making for a comfortable ride. You can also open up the exhaust at the flip of a switch for a more dynamic note.
Inside the E53 feels high-end and sporty, it's mostly carbon fiber and leather, however, buyers can spec out exotic woods and other options if they want some really unique. The sporty AMG seats are comfortable and supportive, without being racing seats, the optional massage feature is also nice for those long road trips. The 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard and comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Burmester stereo is amazing and a wireless charger is also built-in.
Compared to the Audi S6 or the BMW M550i xDrive/ BMW M5, the E53 feels more luxurious and refined, it strikes a nice balance in the performance you can actually use every day and the comfort and luxury you would expect from a car at this price point. Compared to the BMW M550i xDrive, the E53 is much more user-friendly and the interior is less cluttered with buttons and switches. Bouns points go to the E53 as my wife thought this was by far the best sedan I have had to test ever, she even liked it more than the S-Class that we had a few weeks previously.
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