--- title: "The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Has a Fresh Face and a Smooth Inline-Six" description: "As you might've guessed, the mid-size Merc gets new fascias front and back, updated assisted driving tech, and an all-new steering wheel that controls the latest version of MBUX for its mid-cycle refresh." date: "2020-03-03" modified: "2020-03-03" authors: - name: "Chris Tsui" job_title: "Contributor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/32423/2021-mercedes-benz-e-class-can-now-be-had-as-an-off-road-wagon" categories: - "Mercedes-Benz News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "E-Class" - "luxury" - "Mercedes-Benz" - "sedan" --- # The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Has a Fresh Face and a Smooth Inline-Six ![]() *\www.thedrive.com\* Regular readers of *The Drive* will have [already gotten a decent look at]() the facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but in case you missed those leaked shots, here's the real thing in all its official press photo glory. As you might've guessed, the mid-size Merc gets new fascias front and back, updated assisted driving tech, and an all-new steering wheel that controls the latest version of MBUX for its mid-cycle refresh. Mercedes is debuting the car in three main flavors: vanilla, mild-AMG, and—for the first time—a lightly-lifted wagon dubbed All-Terrain. ![message-editor%2F1583182042532-19c0924\_054.jpg]() **Mercedes-Benz** For those who just want a relatively normal Mercedes sedan, the refreshed E-Class can be had as a 2.0-liter E 350 or a 3.0-liter E 450 making 255 and 362 horsepower, respectively. That 3.0-liter straight-six also comes with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, marking the first electrified E-Class that'll be available in the U.S. Speaking of electrification, an E 350e can also be had which takes the regular E 350's turbo-four and couples it to a 90-kW plug-in hybrid electric motor for 315 combined hp. ![message-editor%2F1583182085624-19c0924\_001.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* ![message-editor%2F1583182095780-19c0924\_010.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* ![message-editor%2F1583182104832-19c0924\_032.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* ![message-editor%2F1583182118263-19c0924\_043.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* ![message-editor%2F1583182135391-19c0924\_058.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* ![message-editor%2F1583182144424-19c0924\_056.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* ![message-editor%2F1583182160185-19c0924\_087.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* Step up to the Mercedes-AMG E 53 and the 3.0-liter, turbocharged straight-six is now "AMG-enhanced" to make 429 hp. This flavor of E-Class naturally gets a different front grille design, different LED headlights, more aggressive front and rear bumpers, AMG wheels, sport suspension, and sportier AWD tuning. It'll accelerate to 60 mph from a standstill in 4.4 seconds. No, it isn't the [top-dog E 63]() with the hand-built V8 but that version is presumably coming soon. For E-Class buyers with aspirations a little less "Nürburgring" and a little more "campsites near the Nürburgring," there's the new E 450 All-Terrain. With its wagon lines and black plastic body cladding, it's clearly been inspired by and designed to take on the [Audi A6]() Allroad. Backing up its position as the adventurer's E-Class is standard air suspension and two off-road driving modes: Offroad and Offroad+ with downhill speed regulation. ![message-editor%2F1583182187710-19c0923\_078.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* ![message-editor%2F1583182218777-19c0923\_096.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* ![message-editor%2F1583182232415-19c0923\_134.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* ![message-editor%2F1583182251488-19c0923\_107.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* ![message-editor%2F1583182261774-19c0923\_072.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* ![message-editor%2F1583182268867-19c0923\_030.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* ![message-editor%2F1583182204301-19c0923\_074.jpg]() *Mercedes-Benz* Par for the mid-cycle refresh course, Mercedes has updated the available [Driver Assistance Package]() and fitted all 2021 E-Classes with its most up-to-date version of [MBUX](). Stepping inside, the most noticeable change current E owners will likely notice are the new steering wheels. They now feature capacitive buttons and hands-off detection and despite being covered in gloss black, are apparently less prone to fingerprints than the old wheels since the now-capacitive Touch Control Buttons no longer use a mechanical system. Frankly, we're not entirely sure how that makes any sense but are looking forward to finding out firsthand. That flat-bottomed AMG steering definitely looks cool, though. ![message-editor%2F1583182281417-19c0924\_094.jpg]() **Mercedes-Benz** The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will hit U.S. dealerships by late 2020. *Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto. ### Author social links [Instagram]()