This week (6/04/2022), I am behind the wheel of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 sedan, a midsized luxury performance sedan.
AMG is the performance division of Mercedes, with a history of taking great cars and turning them into great-performing luxury cars since 1967.
Comparing AMGs? We also reviewed the 2020 AMG GT 53.
Performance
Let’s talk about what’s under the hood. It is an electrified 3.0-liter straight six with a turbo. What makes this engine unique is the 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 the gas pedal.
The new engine is mated to a 9-speed shiftable transmission with shift paddles, 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.
Exterior
The E53 is attractive on the outside with a low, wide, and aggressive stance. There is a heavily-vented grill with front spoiler, and also a rear spoiler that adds to the sleek looks. This car has the beautiful 19” AMG wheels.
Interior
When you open the door of the E53, you see a crafted interior that exudes pure luxury. The black interior draws you in as you sit in the ultra-comfortable seats. Red stitching and heavy carbon fiber runs from door to door, across the dash, and throughout the center console.
The gauges are easy to read and there are four choices to make the gauge cluster look different. Between those is a driver info center that operates from the AMG flat bottom, heated and power adjusting steering wheel. There are also round knobs on the wheel to change the configurations of the E53.
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 favorite: Sport plus. There is also an individual mode to mix the different choices.
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, but the transmission shifts hard and fast all by itself.
There is a touchpad on the console that operates all the systems, like sound system, navigation, Bluetooth, apps, Surround view camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and control’s the cars settings, or if you prefer, you can just touch the screen. Behind a door on the console is a wireless cell phone charger.
The Burmeister sound system is spectacular, and the speakers in the door are a work of art. The E53 has good headroom for both front and back seat occupants, and the back seat is quite roomy. Rear passengers get air vents and USB ports. The trunk is more than ample.
My E53 review car comes loaded with popular features like a power sunroof, keyless entry, collision prevention, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, active emergency stop assist, power rear shade, and active parking assist.
Ride and Drive
The E53 has amazing handling and cornering, and it is super fast when in Sport Plus mode and that extra battery power kicks in. It is a real driver’s machine and will fit whatever mood you are in.
Fuel economy is good at 21 in town and 29 on the highway. MSRP is a reasonable $87,600 considering all you get.
- What I Liked Most: Performance and handling.
- What I would change: Make air-conditioned seats standard.
- MSRP: Base price $75,000, as equipped $87,600.
- Fuel Economy: Rated at 21 City/29 highway/24 Combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 8,200 miles.
- Weight: 4,566 pounds
- Spare Tire: Inflator kit.
- Length-Width-Height: 190” long/75” wide/66” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.4 gallons with the filler on the passenger side.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- Official Color: Polar White.
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53: It’s a runner wrapped in Mercedes luxury.
- Warranty: 4-year/60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper and power train with roadside assistance.
- Final Assembly Location: Sildenfigen, Germany.
- Manufacturer's website: Mercedes-Benz
