2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class pricing and specs detailed: BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 rival gets technology-focused midlife facelift

Mercedes-Benz Australia has released the facelifted version of the current-generation E-Class large car, which has doubled down on its technology focus.

E200, E300, E300e, AMG E53 and AMG E63 S grades are once again available, but E220d, E350d, E450 and AMG E63 variants have been discontinued as part of the update, meaning the E-Class is now a petrol-only affair.

Three body-styles (Sedan, Coupe and Cabriolet) remain on offer, with the E300 and AMG E53 grades available with all. The E300e and AMG E63 S can only be had in Sedan form, while the E200 goes a step further with its new Coupe option.

Pricing-wise, E200, E300, E300e and AMG E63 S variants are up $1365 to $3965, while their AMG E53 siblings have decreased significantly, between $13,535 and $17,335. As such, the E-Class range now stretches from $96,900 to $250,400 plus on-road costs (see table below).

The E200 and E300 are both powered by a 2.0-litre single-turbo four-cylinder engine, with the former producing 145kW/320Nm and the latter developing 190kW/370Nm.

Meanwhile, the E300e combines a 155kW/300Nm of that unit with a 90kW/440Nm electric motor as part of its plug-in hybrid powertrain, which has system outputs of 235kW/700Nm.

In these three grades, drive is sent to the rear wheels via a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

The AMG E53 steps up with a 320kW/520Nm 3.0-litre ‘twin-turbo’ inline six-cylinder engine with 48V mild-hybrid technology that provides up to 16kW/250Nm of electric boost.

That said, the AMG E63 S goes even further with a 450kW/850Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Like the AMG E53, it’s mated to Mercedes-AMG’s 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system and a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Standard equipment in the E200 includes an AMG Line body kit, LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, a hands-free power-operated boot, keyless entry and start, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a wireless smartphone charger, power-adjustable front seats with heating, Artico (Sedan) or leather (Coupe) upholstery and ambient lighting.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, lane-keep and steering assist, active blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert, high-beam assist, park assist and surround-view cameras.

The E300 and E300e add air suspension, metallic paintwork, Multibeam LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels (E300) and leather upholstery.

Furthermore, the AMG E53 gets speed-sensitive steering, black 20-inch alloy wheels, sports brakes, a sports exhaust system, a bootlid lip spoiler, a panoramic sunroof, an augmented reality (AR) head-up display, a 13-speaker Burmester surround-sound system, a flat-bottom steering wheel, front sports seats, sports pedals and Nappa leather upholstery.

The AMG E63 S ups the ante even further with dynamic engine mounts, bi-colour 20-inch alloy wheels, a rear limited-slip differential, power-closing doors, gesture control, ‘active multicontour’ front seats with cooling, heated front armrests and outboard rear seats, and three-zone climate control.

As reported, the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 rival’s facelift ushers in redesigned front and rear fascias, Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX multimedia system for its 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, and touch-sensitive steering wheels.

2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class pricing before on-road costs