The E53 is a critically sharp droptop.


Michael Shaffer/Mercedes-Benz

Commonly, I’d shy away from a Mercedes-AMG convertible. AMGs are normally a little also hard-edged and maniacal for my preferences, and not genuinely in the spirit of what I’d want in a luxurious convertible. The AMG E53 is distinctive, even though. In truth, it really is one of my preferred autos I’ve pushed so much this year.

Like

  • Sleek, highly effective drivetrain
  • Stellar interior establish quality
  • Beautiful layout

Really don’t Like

  • Incredibly high-priced
  • Brakes are a little weak

The coronary heart of the E53 is its AMG-tuned three.-liter turbocharged I6 motor with delicate-hybrid guide. It lacks the guttural major-metal ogre growl of AMG’s four.-liter twin-turbo V8, sure, but makes up for it with incredible smoothness and a incredibly pleasing yowl in its higher rev assortment. The E53 is the most highly effective E-Course convertible you can get, by the way there is certainly no E63 available.

The I6 motor makes a wholesome 429 horsepower and 384 pound-ft of torque with little to no perceptible delay in energy, largely thanks to the EQ-Enhance delicate-hybrid technique. EQ-Enhance not only smooths out the start-prevent operation, but its electric powered motors present adequate supplemental boost — 21 hp and 184 lb-ft — to get the E53 relocating till the turbochargers are on full boil. Accelerating to sixty mph requires a scant four.four seconds, which is pretty great for a four,566-pound convertible.

The E53’s motor is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It features invisibly when left to its own products and presents crisp upshifts and downshifts when known as on through the steering wheel-mounted paddles.

An included advantage of this smaller-displacement, electrically assisted motor is gasoline economic system. The EPA prices the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet at 21 miles per gallon in the town, 27 mpg freeway and 23 mpg merged, which I have no difficulty matching in standard driving.

Currently being a major, midsize convertible, the E53 is not particularly sports activities-car or truck sharp, but which is not a negative issue. The E53’s suspension does an excellent task of smoothing out tough roadways, even in its most intense Sport Additionally manner, and there is a visible variation in experience quality concerning the convertible’s Comfort and ease, Sport and Sport Additionally suspension options. The steering is exact and perfectly-weighted, even though in Sport Additionally manner, it feels needlessly major. The significant, multipiston brakes are easy to modulate and characteristic a lot of halting energy in most conditions, even though they are susceptible to fading after a spirited push.

The up-to-date E-Class’ interior is one of the finest in the business, and that carries above to the Cabriolet. The suit and end and material options are all top rated-notch and befitting of a car or truck in the E53’s price assortment (extra on that later). The sporty AMG seats are very cozy and characteristic a lot of adjustability, so even another person of my dimension — six ft, four inches — can get cozy without the need of a lot demo and mistake.

The enormous digital instrument panel and infotainment monitor search good, presenting up all the data you could want in a way which is crystal clear and wise. Equally screens totally outline the search and come to feel of the E53’s interior, and which is a great issue. The small screens on the steering-wheel mounted controls are also a interesting contact, making it possible for you to regulate often employed objects like the transmission’s handbook manner or the activity exhaust on/off swap. This all makes the E53 come to feel tech-ahead and present day.

The redesigned steering wheel is a new component of the 2021 AMG E53’s interior.


Michael Shaffer/Mercedes-Benz

The cornerstone of the E53’s tech is its MBUX infotainment technique, which presents highly effective purely natural-speech recognition for quite a few of the cabin controls (like warmth and stereo quantity) as perfectly as have to-haves like Apple CarPlay and Android Vehicle. Put together with its vibrant, crisp imagery, MBUX is among my preferred infotainment programs available currently.

I also won’t be able to communicate about the E53 Cabriolet’s interior without the need of talking about Air Scarf. For these who have never skilled this characteristic, it really is basically a small room heater that lives in each entrance headrest, blowing incredibly hot air on your neck. It makes interesting-weather conditions, top rated-down motoring a breeze (pun intended). It is excellent, and I locate myself utilizing it all the time.

Regrettably, all of this goodness does not come low cost. The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet commences at $83,845 together with a $995 location fee, and my exceptionally perfectly-outfitted tester will come in just a hair beneath $one zero five,000. Let’s experience it, which is a good deal of cash. Mercedes’ convertibles have constantly carried a significant premium, and the E53 is no distinctive.

With Air Scarf, you can push with the top rated down all year.


Michael Shaffer/Mercedes-Benz

As for the competitive set, the E53 is form of in a class of its own. The Audi S5 Convertible is smaller, significantly less highly effective and significantly less high-priced — genuinely, it competes with Merc’s own AMG C43 Cabriolet. The Lexus LC Convertible commences at $one zero one,000 and has a good, normally aspirated V8, but it lacks a good deal of the Merc’s tech. The BMW 8 Sequence is a good deal even bigger. And honestly, I’d get the E53 above all of these.

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet is a excellent luxurious convertible that presents great seems to be, fantastic tech and excellent street manners, but it really is high-priced. Then all over again, if you might be buying for a car or truck in this segment, you most likely are not looking for a fantastic worth. Rate tag aside, there is certainly very little to dislike about the wonderful AMG E53.