Mercedes E 53 Estate Hybrid - Pace with Relaxed Grace

I’ve always liked estate cars. They rarely take up any more room on the road than their stablemate saloon, but they offer a great big dollop of versatility. 

I also think a lot of estate cars are better looking than the saloon or coupé model which they sit alongside. The boot area is greater and is usually easier to load thanks to a low boot lip and reasonably square dimensions. The rear passengers frequently have more headroom because there’s no sloping roofline. Flop the rear seats forward and you can carry a decent load. Use your imagination and also slide the front passenger seat forward or lower the backrest as far as possible, and a lengthy set of stepladders can be carried. 

And if you can have an estate with oodles of power and plenty of style, bingo…you’re sorted.

A bit like this Mercedes-AMG E53 Estate. I think it looks rather cool and, I dare say, even a bit understated. I don’t mind that, and I’ll definitely look good heading to the local tip, which seems to happen on an uncannily frequent basis in our household. 

It’s based on the standard Mercedes E Class estate but gets slightly flared wheelarches and the AMG grille. Anyone following the E 53 will also notice the four exhaust pipes. 

Powertrain

Things are very different under the bonnet. There’s a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine mated to a plug-in hybrid system. The 6 cylinders get a helping hand from an electric motor, which, when you add both power levels together, brings you to a very beefy 577bhp. You can boost this for a short period by hitting a button on the steering wheel, which ups things to just over 600bhp. Accelerating from 0-60mph takes 3.9 seconds, and power goes via a 9-speed automatic gearbox. All-wheel drive, all-wheel steering and active dampers mean this E 53 is ready for some serious performance in the right conditions. 

Driving experience

The rear wheel steering also helps with manoeuvring at slow speeds around town. You really do feel the rear end tuck in when you turn a tight corner. Oh, and it helps with roadholding and stability when you’re really pushing on - win win. 

The E 53 Estate is remarkably smooth and refined, which, if anything, is a tad disappointing. I prefer a Mercedes-AMG that sound the part. This E 53 is such a polished performer that you really wouldn’t believe what it’s capable of. Long distance holiday cruising will be the car’s forté, and with the damper setting to Comfort mode, you’ll sweep along at a breeze.

If you want to protect your economy at town speeds, you can hit the Electric mode, allowing you to travel for a predicted 60 miles without the engine bursting into life. It’s also a reason why business users will find the E 53 an attractive proposition. 

Mercedes reckons that if you use the hybrid set-up to its full extent, you can crack 91.2 mpg. I certainly got close to that. 

Hit the Sport mode and you finally get the stiffer suspension settings, which a lot of keen drivers will like. The steering gains weight and the throttle is more sensitive. It’s a terrific driving experience, but, as I mentioned earlier, it’s a shame that there’s not more of a growl from the engine like you used to get in the V8 E 63 model. Even when you floor the throttle, everything stays surprisingly dignified. Then again, many owners will enjoy the way this E 53 quietly goes about its business, whether you are cruising or chucking it along a country lane.  

Price & Interior

Starting prices are £94,390 (Aug ’25), meaning you get a very lengthy list of kit as standard. The standout stuff includes climate control, which you can pre-set to make sure that the interior is toasty warm when you climb in on a chilly morning. Love it. The adjustable dampers give the choice of a cushy or sporty ride, and you’ll love the voice command system so much you actually end up having conversations with it. The touchscreen is also extremely clear and simple to operate, thanks to a row of buttons beneath it and the 12.3-inch screen in front of the driver is also clear and fully programmable.  

There’s a webcam on the dashboard that allows you to join conversations whilst parked up. Pretty clever, and something that business users will find really handy. 

The seats are worth a special mention. They offer both comfort and support. You can also adjust the bolsters to provide additional support if you’re having some fun.  There’s ample room for three adults in the rear. All in all, the interior is a luxurious and superbly designed place to enjoy your journey. 

One worth considering?

This is arguably one of the best cars currently available from Mercedes. Pace, grace, refinement and versatility all wrapped up in a handsome package. Hard to beat.

words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Mercedes-Benz