This week I am behind the wheel of a brand new entry for the Mercedes family: The 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 coupe.
AMG is the performance division of Mercedes and has a storied history of taking great cars and turning them into great-performing luxury cars. They have been doing it since 1967. AMG products are the fastest and most expensive vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz lineup.
2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 Coupe
Let’s talk about what’s under the hood because it is a little unusual. It is an electrified 3.0-liter straight six with twin-turbos. What makes this engine unique is the new EQ Boost system that adds hybrid technology. With a 48-volt onboard electrical system, the engine gets an added 21-horsepower and nearly 180 lb-ft. of torque for short periods when you stomp on the gas pedal.
The new engine is mated to a 9-speed shiftable transmission, and my tester is all-wheel drive.
The end result of all this technology is 429-horses, a 0-to-60 time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 130-miles per hour.
Sleek Looks, Luxurious Cabin
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 is attractive on the outside with a low, wide, and aggressive stance. There is a new heavily vented grill with front spoiler, and also a rear spoiler that adds to the sleek looks. This car has the 20” AMG wheels, and you can’t miss the huge gold brake calipers.
When you open the large door of the E53, you see a crafted interior that exudes pure luxury. The red and black colors draw you in as you sit in the ultra-comfortable leather seats. Red stitching and carbon fiber runs from door-to-door and across the dash.
2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 Coupe.
The gauges are easy to read and there are three choices to make the gauge cluster look completely different. Between the gauges is a driver info center that operates from the AMG flat bottom heated steering wheel with controls for the sound system and cruise control.
Dynamic Ride Control
There are a number of buttons on the center console, including the Dynamic ride control switch that takes you from Eco, to Comfort, to Sport and as you know by now, my personal favorite, the Sport plus. There is also an individual mode to mix the different choices. What’s cool about this feature is the E53 is a lamb when in Eco, very nondescript, but the E53 turns into a roaring lion in Sport Plus, which completely changes the car, especially the transmission, suspension, and the steering, which is perfectly weighted.
Also on the center console, you can turn on the amazing performance exhaust, turn OFF the auto start/stop system, and lock out the transmission from shifting itself, forcing you to use the shift paddles.
Cabin Comfort, Infotainment, and Sound
There is a large round knob on the console that controls the Comand system, which runs everything on the large, high-resolution screen that sits above a row of round air conditioner vents.
2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 Coupe.
Over the large knob is a touchpad that works in conjunction with the knob to operate all the systems: the sound system, navigation, Bluetooth, apps, surround view camera, Apple Car Play, Android auto, and controls the car's settings. There is a bit of a learning curve, but once you get it down, it becomes second nature. Behind a door on the console is a wireless cell phone charger.
One cool feature is called the Energizing Comfort system that combines the climate control, air fragrance, ambient lighting, audio, and massaging driver and passenger seats. You can select from 10-minute programs and enjoy physical benefits accompanied by cabin lighting and pre-selected music. If you have your own music library loaded, it will choose one of your songs, but only if the beat matches.
2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 Coupe.
The Burmeister sound system is spectacular, and the speakers in the door are a work of art. The E53 has good headroom, especially in the front seat. Mercedes makes it easy to get into the back seat with power sliding front seats, and there is good legroom, especially for a coupe. The trunk is more than ample.
Features
My E53 review car comes loaded with popular features like a panoramic power sunroof, keyless entry, collision prevention, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, a head-up display, and active parking assist.
Verdict
I want to stress that the E53 has amazing handling and cornering, and it is super-fast when in Sport Plus mode and the extra battery power kicks in. It is a real driver’s machine and will fit whatever mood you are in.
2019 Mercedes-AMG E53 Coupe and Cabriolet. Credit Mercedes-Benz.
This vehicle has not hit the market yet, so I don’t have EPA fuel economy ratings or the exact MSRP, but I know the base price is $73,700 and I’m guessing this one stickers for right around $90,000.
For those who like to feel the wind, this car will come in a convertible version later in the year.
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2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 Coupe
- What I liked most: Interior, technology, and performance in Sport Mode.
- What I would change: I expected the exterior to be more aggressive.
- MSRP: Not available, but base price is $73,700. Best guess: $90,000.
- Fuel Economy: Not available.
- Official Color: Diamond Silver Metallic.
- Odometer reading when tested: 1700 miles.
- Weight: Unavailable.
- Spare Tire: None, inflator kit instead.
- Length-Width-Height: Unavailable.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: Unavailable, filler door on passenger side.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- 2019 E53 AMG in a few words: A real beauty, full of technology, and a real runner.
- Warranty: 4-years/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper with roadside assistance.
- Final Assembly Location: N/A
- Up Next: 2019 Cadillac XT5 SUV
