Mercedes-AMG continues on its path to electrification with the new E53–so far the highest-performing version of the new E-Class midsize luxury sedan. As the E53 nomenclature suggests, this isn’t yet the top dog of the E-Class range. That would be the yet-to-arrive E63, but for now, we’ll have to settle for this.
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ as it’s fully called, follows the electrified footsteps of the C63, employing a plug-in hybrid drivetrain to complement the turbocharged gasoline engine. This is set to compete with the upcoming BMW M560e xDrive–another M but not quite full M car from BMW that replaces the M550i xDrive. It’s also a plug-in hybrid but with less power at 565 horses versus the 603 horses of the AMG. Is this electrified sedan a sign of things to come, or should you buy the outgoing mild-hybrid E53 right now before it’s too late?
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In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Mercedes-AMG.
The AMG E53 Makes Up To 603 Horses
As with a lot of these high-performance plug-in hybrid luxury sedans, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ combines blistering speed and the driving pleasure of an internal combustion engine (ICE) with the need for zero emissions mobility. It’s a sedan that addresses today’s environmental challenges whilst preserving the heritage and the sound of an ICE when you want it.
603 Electrified Horses, But With A Catch
The new E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ combines a 3.0-liter inline-six that’s been turbocharged to 443 horses, which is a healthy improvement over the previous mild-hybrid E53’s inline-six with 429 horses. This is combined with a 161-horsepower electric motor that’s integrated into the AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission. When both power sources are working in tandem, the total output becomes 577 horses and 553 pound-feet of torque, which is sent through a highly variable 4Matic+ all-wheel drive (AWD) system.
That 603 horsepower figure you’re seeing is when you use the launch control of the Race Start mode, which, unfortunately, is an optional extra that’s part of the AMG Dynamic Plus package. The resulting 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 3.8 seconds for the sedan and 3.9 seconds for the wagon is 0.7 seconds faster than the outgoing mild-hybrid E53 and just 0.6 seconds slower versus the outgoing V-8 E63 S.
It Can Drive Like An EV, Too
With that gearbox-mounted electric motor, the E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ has the ability to travel in pure electric mode for around 53 to 63 miles based on WLTP testing. This is thanks to the generously sized 21.22 kWh battery pack that can be charged at up to 60 kW DC, and this is enough for a 10 to 80 percent charge in just 20 minutes. In pure electric mode, the top speed is limited to 87 mph, but with the full PHEV drivetrain working, its top speed is an electronically limited 174 mph for the sedan and 171 mph for the wagon.
Unfortunately, if you’re waiting for the range-topping E63 and hoping for a plug-in hybrid V-8 like in the S63 E Performance, well, you’re out of luck. The upcoming E63 will likewise get an inline-six plug-in hybrid drivetrain, but obviously has more power and more sophisticated electric motors.
2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ Specs
|
Engine |
3.0-liter inline-six |
|
System horsepower |
577 hp (603 hp with Race Start) |
|
System torque |
553 lb-ft |
|
Battery capacity |
28.6 kWh (21.22 kWh usable) |
|
0-62 mph |
4.0 sec. (3.8 sec. with Race Start) |
|
Top speed |
174 mph |
|
Top speed electric |
87 mph |
|
Electric range (WLTP) |
53 to 63 miles |
(Specs sourced from Mercedes-AMG)
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The Mercedes-AMG E53 Is A High-performance PHEV Model
If there’s one thing you can trust the folks at Mercedes-AMG to be good at, that would be making a heavy vehicle feel like a much smaller vehicle. While Mercedes-AMG hasn’t yet revealed the weight of the new E53 Hybrid 4Matic+, the new C63 S E-Performance, likewise a PHEV high-performance sedan, is a very heavy car next to the non-hybrid BMW M3, and it’s partly why the car is so controversial. We won’t be surprised if the curb weight of the E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ will also be significantly heavier than the outgoing mild-hybrid model, and this is due to the sheer complication of trying to achieve both the pleasure of an ICE along with the need for zero emissions mobility.
An Electrified Vehicle Trying To Feel As Natural As Possible
Say what you want about how powerful the new 2024 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ is, but just reading through the technical bits makes me worried about owning one long-term. The complication of the E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ begins with the braking system because, as we all know with electrified cars, the transition between the hydraulic-based friction brakes and the regenerative braking to charge the battery can feel unnatural.
To solve this, Mercedes-AMG employed an electromechanical brake booster. The constant pedal feel is thanks to the vacuum-independent braking system controlling the flexible change between hydraulic braking and electrical recuperation. This reduces the braking power of the hydraulic friction brakes–even with constant pedal pressure, to maintain a high level of recuperation with the regenerative brakes as speed decreases. The supposed result is that the driver does not notice this automatic change.
Systems To Keep The Midsize Sedan In Check
At the same time, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ also needs to fulfill its duty as both a long-distance cruiser and a sports sedan. The AMG Ride Control adaptive steel spring suspension employs two valves (separate valves for compression and rebound) which allows for greater variability based on three levels: Comfort, Sport, and Sport+.
The chassis also comes with enhanced stiffness, while the aforementioned electromechanical brake system comes with larger brakes compared to the standard E-Class. The standard rear-axle steering further reduces the turning circle of this midsize luxury car at low speeds or increases stability at high speeds.
Finally, the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package adds the aforementioned Race Start launch control. These dynamic engine mounts allow the engine to either eliminate vibrations or make it feel as rigid as possible to the body during sporty driving. It adds an electronically-controlled rear axle locking differential that allows for better corner-exiting traction.
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Only The Sedan Is Coming To America
To the surprise of no one, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ will only be sold as a sedan in the North American market, with the wagon being sold in Europe and other global markets. With that said, here are a few things you can expect in the new E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ as it reaches the North American market later this year. Pricing, however, has not yet been announced, but the outgoing AMG E53 coupe, which is a mild hybrid, starts at $84,500.
There’s also no denying the increased performance that this model offers, but the new E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ can sound too complex for its own good. If you still want an E53 but one that feels far simpler to own and drive, then the outgoing mild-hybrid model might be better. It’s still a thoroughly modern car in 2024, and you’ll probably end up with good deals on one as the new model arrives later this year,
An Exterior That Communicates Its Performance Intent
Visually speaking, the 2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ sets itself apart with its sportier front bumpers, an illuminated AMG-specific grille with vertical slats, and a body that’s subtly wider by 0.4 inches compared to the standard E-Class. Sitting inside its wider fenders are 19-inch wheels as standard, but they can be upgraded to 20-inch alloys or 21-inch forged wheels.
Moving towards the rear, you’ll see a sportier rear bumper with quad exhausts and a subtle lip spoiler. If you want to remove the chrome stuff for something more sinister, you can opt for the AMG Exterior Night Package and AMG Carbon Exterior Package. The former mostly swap the chrome bits for gloss black ones, while the latter is another optional extra that adds a dose of carbon fiber exterior parts (such as the mirror caps and lip spoiler).
Interior That’s Rich In Screens
Unsurprisingly, the new E53 inherits the interior of the standard E-Class, which means you get a well-built interior that’s filled with a dizzying array of screens. The optional MBUX Superscreen–one tier lower than the equally gimmicky Hyperscreen, separates the digital gauge cluster from the single glass that houses the main MBUX infotainment with the front passenger’s display, but it’s an option box we’d gladly stay away from as the expanse of wood without the Superscreen looks much better to our eyes.
Apart from these two dashboard options, the E53 gets AMG-specific treatments such as AMG sports seats (upgradable to AMG performance seats) upholstered in Artico synthetic leather and microcut microfiber with red stitching. You also get an AMG performance steering wrapped in Nappa Leather and illuminated gray open-pore ash wood trim. Finally, the MBUX infotainment comes with hybrid-specific menus and displays.
