2021 Honda Civic vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, debuted in 2017 with a design shift from the sharper angles of its predecessor to a more fluid and curvier form, aligning with the aesthetic of the S-Class and C-Class. This "sensual purity" design philosophy, as described by Mercedes' chief designer Gorden Wagener, gave the E-Class a smooth and elegant appearance. For 2021, the E-Class received updates such as squinted headlights, an inverted trapezoid grille, and horizontal taillights, making it slightly edgier. The car's new bumpers, exhaust tips, and wheels added to its handsome and elegant look, whether in sedan, wagon, coupe, or convertible form. However, the standing hood ornament on sedans and wagons was discontinued, a change that some traditionalists might have lamented.

Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of luxury and style. The cabin featured rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber, with intricate details like metal speaker grilles, elaborate stitching, and ambient lighting that interacted with the car's climate and mood settings. The dashboard housed two 12-inch screens with crisp detail and brilliant color, and for 2021, the instrument panel transitioned to a standard digital display. The new steering wheels, especially the AMG model with its six spokes and touch-sensitive controls, added to the car's modern and lavish feel. Five years into its lifecycle, the E-Class interior remained unmatched in its price range.

The 2021 Honda Civic, a segment-defining model, continued to impress with its practicality and design. Available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats, the Civic offered a range of options for different preferences. For 2021, the two-door coupe was discontinued, and the sporty Civic Si was on hiatus. The Civic sedan, available in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, ranged in price from $21,250 to $28,300, with our test car, the Touring sedan, priced at $29,690.

The Civic's design, which was daring in 2016, had become familiar over the years. The Touring trim's Cosmic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch wheels gave the car a handsome look, though opinions on its styling varied. Inside, the Civic's cabin featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing, though the maximum infotainment screen size of 7 inches showed its age. Despite this, the Civic remained a trend-setter in its segment, offering a roomy interior and a large trunk, making it a practical choice for many buyers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw significant changes under the hood, with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the E450 model. This hybrid system, introduced on the AMG E53 in 2019, used a 48-volt electrical system to provide extra power and torque, allowing the engine to shut off more often to save fuel and reduce emissions. The E450's 3.0-liter inline-six engine produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional power from the battery's overboost. The base E350's 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, revised for 2020, offered 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque but lacked the performance expected of a luxury car.

The AMG E53 added a second turbo to the E450's engine, boosting output to 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The AMG E63 S, with its hand-built 4.0-liter V8 engine, delivered a staggering 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a true performance machine. Despite its power, the E-Class maintained a comfortable ride, thanks to its variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased all-wheel drive. Fuel economy varied, with the E450 4Matic returning 26 mpg combined, while the AMG E63 S managed 18 mpg combined.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine options. The base LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While adequate for everyday driving, the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims was the preferred choice. This engine produced 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, providing a more spirited driving experience.

The Civic's turbocharged engine, combined with its sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension, offered a delightful driving experience. However, the CVT detracted from the overall enjoyment, with its droning and unsophisticated feel. Despite this, the Civic excelled in fuel economy, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile driving loop, surpassing the EPA estimate of 33 mpg combined.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making everyday tasks easier. The touchpads on the steering wheel were reshaped, and shortcut buttons for navigation, stereo, and other settings remained. The cabin was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom for four adults. The E-Class offered various body styles, including a sedan with 13 cubic feet of trunk space, a coupe with 10 cubic feet, and a wagon with up to 64 cubic feet of cargo space. The E450 All-Terrain wagon added ground clearance and plastic body cladding for a more rugged look.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan, while low to the ground, provided a comfortable seating position once inside. The driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats were roomy, with excellent thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle. The center console offered remarkable storage space, and the trunk measured 15.1 cubic feet, or 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim with a premium sound system.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, with a touchscreen interface, natural voice processing, and online searches. The system included features like live camera feeds with overlay arrows, massaging seats, and seat kinetics. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless, the E-Class offered 4G WiFi and various connected services. Optional driving assists allowed for limited autonomous driving capabilities, and the instrument cluster could display information in various customizable ways.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology showed its age, with the base LX trim offering a 5-inch LCD screen and basic Bluetooth connectivity. The Sport trim added a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an eight-speaker sound system. The EX trim included HD Radio and SiriusXM, while the Touring trim featured navigation and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Civic's voice recognition system was unsophisticated, and the premium sound system was nice but not essential.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on sale, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included rear side airbags and advanced driver-assist systems.

The 2021 Honda Civic came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Civic also offered LaneWatch, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA in every assessment.