2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Subaru WRX

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation introduced in 2017, moved away from the sharper, boxier angles of its predecessor to adopt the fluid, curvier forms seen in the 2014 S-Class and 2015 C-Class. Mercedes' chief designer, Gorden Wagener, described this design theme as "sensual purity." The 2021 model featured a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear resembled the W212 with horizontal taillights cutting into the trunk lid. New bumpers with larger air intakes, new exhaust tips, and new wheels were the major changes. Despite the updates, the E-Class remained a handsome and elegant car, available as a sedan, wagon, coupe, or convertible.

The standing hood ornament on the sedans and wagons was no longer available, a classic Mercedes look that was replaced by a giant star emblem in the grille. This change was part of the Sport package, which had become very popular among buyers. The AMG models, with their vertical grille slats, made the big star look appropriate for the firepower behind it. The E-Class was a reserved and conservative car from the outside, but its cabin was a bacchanal of decadent materials and exuberant style. Rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber adorned the space, with intricate details like metal speaker grilles, elaborate stitching, and incredible ambient lighting. The interior was unmatched by any car at this price point.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had often been criticized for its adolescent aesthetic, with a wedge-like front end and a very short trunk lid that gave it the appearance of speed even when at rest. Aerodynamic bodywork and a functional hood scoop added to this look. Inside, the WRX resembled other Subaru compact cars from the past decade, with a function-first cockpit that came at the cost of fit and finish. Hard plastics contributed to its immature reputation, especially compared to the refined cabins of the VW GTI and Honda Civic Si.

The WRX was available in Base, Premium, and Limited trims. The base model came with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, manual seats, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium trim added 18-inch wheels, fog lights, heated seats, pushbutton start, auto on/off headlights, and a larger 7-inch infotainment screen. The range-topping Limited trim included leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, LED fog lights, and adaptive steering-responsive LED headlights. An options package for the Limited added navigation, a premium stereo, and additional driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a significant change with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the highest-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid, using a 48-volt electrical system to supplement the common 12-volt system. This setup included a small lithium-ion battery powering an electric starter-generator, providing extra power and torque for brief moments. The 3.0-liter inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with additional overboost from the battery. The base E350's 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, revised for 2020, was better than earlier models but still underwhelming for a luxury car.

The AMG E53 added a second turbo, technically a supercharger, powered by the 48-volt battery. This setup produced 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, with brisk acceleration and a healthy exhaust note. The AMG E63 S, with a hand-built 4.0-liter V8 engine, delivered 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, making it a high-performance machine. The E-Class offered a range of driving experiences, from the comfortable and quiet E450 to the high-performance AMG models. Fuel economy varied, with the E450 4Matic and E350 4Matic sedans returning 26 and 25 mpg combined, respectively, while the AMG models had lower ratings.

The 2021 Subaru WRX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Buyers could choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The WRX's engine was more powerful than its rivals, the Civic Si and VW GTI, but required careful rev management to get the most out of it. The CVT, while not ideal for driving enthusiasts, kept the revs in the powerband accurately. The manual transmission, however, had a vague clutch feel, making it less satisfying to drive.

The WRX also included Vehicle Dynamics Control with Active Torque Vectoring, which modulated torque distribution and applied slight braking on the inside wheels in a corner. This helped the WRX handle corners with precision. The steering was well-weighted, making winding roads enjoyable, but the ride was stiffer compared to the Civic Si and GTI, which offered a better blend of sport and comfort.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen, making everyday tasks easier and faster. The touchpads on the steering wheel were reshaped, and shortcut buttons for navigation, stereo, and other settings remained. The cabin was spacious for four adults, with ample headroom and legroom, supportive cushions, and knee cutouts on the seatbacks. However, the E53 model lacked rear USB ports, a separate climate zone, soft-close doors, and heated rear seats, despite its high price.

The E-Class offered different body styles, including a coupe with usable rear seats, a convertible with limited rear space, and a wagon with a stowable rear-facing jump seat and ample cargo space. The sedan had 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the two-door models had 10 cubic feet or less with the roof down. The wagon's standard trim, the E450 All-Terrain, raised ground clearance and added plastic body cladding.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a conventional sedan layout with a trunk offering up to 12 cubic feet of cargo space. This was more than the Civic Si coupe but less than the sedan and far behind the VW GTI's cargo space. The WRX's age showed in its interior packaging, with limited in-door bottle holders and center console cupholders that could obstruct shifting with the manual transmission.

The WRX provided a comfortable driving position with good visibility and a decently sized center console tray. The rear seats could accommodate four adults with relative ease, making it a practical choice for a compact sedan.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, with a touchscreen interface that was better organized and easier to use. The system included natural voice processing, online searches, and gesture controls. The car could show a live feed from the front camera with overlay arrows and street names when approaching a turn. Optional features included massaging seats, seat kinetics, and various driving assists.

The instrument cluster offered multiple display options, from traditional analog gauges to bar graphs and zany colors. The system was slick and fast, providing a high-tech experience for drivers and passengers.

The 2021 Subaru WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen running Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a sensible layout and easy-to-use controls. The Limited trim offered an option package with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium stereo, providing solid sound quality.

Despite the updates, the WRX's infotainment system was still far from cutting-edge, reflecting the car's age.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on sale, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The car featured innovations like Pre-Safe Sound, which played a "pink noise" during a crash to protect eardrums, and side bolsters that inflated in a side collision. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with 14 additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2021 Subaru WRX did not come standard with the latest safety features. Subaru's EyeSight system, with adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning, was available on the Premium and Limited trims with the CVT. Adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking were optional on the Limited trim. All WRX trims came standard with a tire-pressure monitoring system and traction control.