The Mercedes-AMG E53 Wagon Proves You Don’t Need a V-8 to Be Stupid Quick

This hot station wagon absolutely scorched the 0–60-mph run.Alisa PriddleWriterWilliam WalkerPhotographer

Oct 14, 2025

Pros

• So powerful you may not miss the V-8
• Gas engine and hybrid system work in concert
• Beautifully styled inside and out

Cons

• Brakes can feel mushy, need more bite
• Tires are loud
• Transmission shifts sharply

The 2026 Mercedes-AMG E 53 plug-in hybrid wagon is a new entry, slotting between the E 450 All-Terrain and the performance E 63 we are still expecting. The kicker: The E 53 with its 3.0-liter twin-turbo I-6 and electric motor are as powerful as the previous E 63 with a V-8. We’re talking about a combined 604 horsepower propelling a luxury midsize sport wagon.

0:03 / 3:34

Mercedes makes no attempt to hide that this is an AMG. It’s fast, it’s stiff, and the tires are loud. And we love it. But it also has excellent body composure on tight curves, the suspension absorbs bumps with incredible damping in regular driving, and the punchy power makes it fun to drive.

Mercedes appropriately delineated the E 53’s chassis settings, thankfully. Comfort mode is genuinely comfortable, Sport mode is sporty, Sport+ is aggressive, and Race mode is what you want to use for performance driving.

The transmission shifts sharply, perhaps unnecessarily so, as a smoother transition would not take away from the sporty vibe. And there were complaints about the feel of the brakes, which are mushy and inconsistent; this isn’t a problem in non-plug-in E-Classes.

Features editor Scott Evans felt there was a long pause between when the electric motor maxes out and the gasoline engine engages, sensing a dip in power and acceleration. Other judges praised a seamless transition, so perhaps Evans needed his morning coffee.

The touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel work well enough—we’d still prefer physical buttons—and the MBUX interface has been simplified with tile icons. Our test car was equipped with the Super Screen, which isn’t as overwhelming as the full-width Hyperscreen while boasting similarly crisp graphics and detailed mapping.

The ambient lighting is among the best in the business, and the interior materials quality is excellent. Our car had an elegant two-tone black and white interior, as well as a fashionable mix of high-end chrome, satin metals, carbon fiber, and suede. No scrimping in the roomy back seat, either, as it features the same stuff, as well as air vents in the B-pillars and center console and full electronic climate controls. The E wagon also has a huge cargo area with a power-retracting cover.

We’ve long adored the stylish design and proportions of Mercedes wagons, and this one is no exception. It’s a good companion to the 2025 E 53 hybrid sedan that came first, and adding the electric motor gives consumers about 41 miles of electric range without any anxiety. Just one more reason to love this new AMG wagon version of the 2025 MotorTrend Car of the Year.

This review was conducted as part of our 2026 Car of the Year (COTY) testing, where each vehicle is evaluated on our six key criteria: efficiency, design, safety, engineering excellence, value, and performance of intended function. Eligible vehicles must be all-new or significantly revised.