DecodedCars2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- Amg E 53 4matic Cabriolet, Amg E 53 4matic Coupe, Amg E53 4 Matic 4dr Wagon, Amg E53 4matic 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 26 combined · 23 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 190.2–196.9 in
- Curb weight
- 4,341–4,566 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 27 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a midsize car offered with 4 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl and 4.0L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive.
It measures about 190 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,566 lb (Amg E 53 4matic Cabriolet).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (23 city / 31 highway), 5% worse than the 2021 midsize car average of 27.4 MPG, for an estimated $3,150 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 E-Class — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 E-Class →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amg E 53 4matic Cabriolet | 190.2 in | 73.2 in | 56.3 in | 113 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,566 lb | 54/46 |
| Amg E 53 4matic Coupe | 190.2 in | 73.2 in | 56.3 in | 113 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,429 lb | 54/46 |
| Amg E53 4 Matic 4dr Wagon | 194.1 in | 72.8 in | 58.3 in | 115.7 in | 63 / 63.4 in | 4,343 lb | 54/46 |
| Amg E53 4matic 4dr Sedan | 193.7 in | 72.8 in | 57.1 in | 115.7 in | 63 / 63.8 in | 4,341 lb | 54/46 |
| Amg E63 S 4 Matic 4dr Wagon | 196.9 in | 72.8 in | 58.3 in | 115.7 in | 63 / 63.4 in | 4,515 lb | 54/46 |
| Amg E63s 4matic 4dr Sedan | 196.5 in | 72.8 in | 57.1 in | 115.7 in | 63 / 63.8 in | 4,497 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E450 4matic Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 26 | -5% | $3,150 | 349 |
| E450 Coupe Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | +11% | $3,150 | 341 |
| E350 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 25 | -9% | $3,300 | 349 |
| E350 4matic | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | -9% | $3,300 | 355 |
| E450 4matic Coupe Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 25 | +7% | $3,300 | 350 |
| E450 Convertible Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 25 | +7% | $3,300 | 349 |
| E450 4matic Convertible Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 23 / 29 / 25 | +7% | $3,300 | 353 |
| AMG E53 4matic Plus Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | -9% | $3,300 | 361 |
| E450 4matic All-Terrain (wagon) Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | +14% | $3,400 | 364 |
| AMG E53 4matic Plus Coupe Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | +3% | $3,400 | 378 |
| AMG E53 4matic Plus Convertible Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | -2% | $3,550 | 384 |
| AMG E63 S 4matic Plus | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 18 | -34% | $4,550 | 484 |
| AMG E63 S 4matic Plus (SW) | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 18 | -14% | $4,550 | 483 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class SW RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.7% |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.7% |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class SW 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.7% |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.7% |
Similar 2021 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (this car) | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2021 BMW 5 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Lexus IS | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model 3 | 353 mi | ★★★★★ | 22 |
| 2021 Audi A6 | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 12 |
| 2021 Tesla Model S | 405 mi | Not rated | 23 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other E-Class years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 E-Class | 28 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 E-Class | 28 | 195.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 E-Class | 28 | 195.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 E-Class | 27 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 E-Class | 26 | 190.2 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 E-Class | 26 | 190.2 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 E-Class | 26 | 190.2 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 E-Class | 25 | 190.2 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 E-Class | 25 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 E-Class | 25 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 E-Class | 23 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 E-Class | 25 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →