The 2025 Mercedes E 53 Hybrid could be DC fast-charged
E 53 Hybrid has a number of regenerative braking modes however no one-pedal driving
The E 53 Hybrid’s worth could also be too excessive for a blended bag of attributes
The most recent AMG-badged E-Class will get its elevated energy output. That’s not due to a higher-output engine, however as an alternative has to do with its cost port.
Arriving at U.S. sellers now, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG 53 Hybrid places a plug-in hybrid powertrain into the posh automaker’s mid-size luxurious sedan to make it faster but a bit extra civil. It’s an attention-grabbing mixture that can attraction to 2 several types of patrons: these searching for usable electrical vary and people searching for a extra highly effective E-Class.
After spending two days with the E 53 on the chilly streets of Stuttgart after which the moist, snowy, and slick mountain roads of the Alps in Austria, I’m right here to inform you the E 53 Hybrid’s a blended bag. Whether or not you’ll need one will rely in your priorities and finances.
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 Hybrid
Mercedes AMG E 53 Hybrid has usable electrical vary
The vehicles pushed have been European-spec. Mercedes additionally unleashed us on the Autobahn, and actually, I wasn’t driving sluggish. However with these qualifiers out of the way in which, the E53 has an EPA-rated 42 miles of electrical vary. Once I slid behind the wheel the totally charged take a look at automobile stated it had about 44 miles of vary. It was about 30 levels Fahrenheit outdoors. Your mileage could differ, however seemingly this PHEV is able to 40-plus miles of electrical vary.
That needs to be sufficient for many individuals to by no means want the fuel engine throughout their every day commute.
I wasn’t in a position to totally take a look at how far the E 53 may go on electrical energy alone on a cost for 2 causes. The primary was the automobile received’t keep in electric-only mode whereas going 121 mph down the Autobahn. Mercedes stated the system’s able to working in electric-only mode at speeds of as much as 87 mph.
As for the second…
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 Hybrid
Electrical mode isn’t really electrical solely within the E 53 Hybrid
Even with 17% state-of-charge, which is lots, the E 53 Hybrid refused to remain in electrical solely mode. It was comfortable to take action to some extent. Mercedes stated the E 53 Hybrid can keep in electric-only mode till the juice is out with exceptions that vary from environmental circumstances reminiscent of battery or ambient temperature, or relying how a lot energy is being referred to as upon.
If the accelerator is mashed to the ground, or just pushed previous 65% of its journey, then the fuel engine will immediately kick on to present the AMG-badged sedan extra firepower.
Name it a throwback plug-in hybrid, maybe, as that is how some earlier PHEVs have been arrange. Electrical mode is just electrical mode so long as solely a certain quantity of energy is known as upon.
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 Hybrid
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 Hybrid
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 Hybrid
Mercedes E 53 Hybrid doesn’t have one-pedal driving
It certain has a whole lot of modes for regenerative braking. There are 4 in complete, nevertheless it relies upon which drive mode the automobile’s in.
When in Electrical-only mode the steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles morph to toggle between three ranges of regenerative braking together with D-, D, and D+. Participating D- offers essentially the most regenerative braking with D and D+ loosening the reins. However none of them present a ton of deceleration no matter pace. None can function a one-pedal driving mode.
Worse is Consolation mode, which places the powertrain into a totally hybrid setup. It engages what Mercedes calls D Auto mode for the regenerative braking system, which then ties habits to the adaptive cruise management and security methods to change into totally variable.
So if somebody occurred to be blasting down the Autobahn at 121 mph—which is totally authorized, to be clear—and came across a automobile, the system would detect the automobile in entrance of it and robotically interact regenerative braking, at a variable, non-consistent price that the motive force has no management over. It may result in jerky, inconsistent driving when altering lanes on a freeway or merely driving in site visitors.
Flicking the drive mode knob on the underside proper of the steering wheel to Sport or Sport+ turns off the D Auto regenerative braking system, however then the powertrain acts a bit extra like there’s someplace to be always with the transmission downshifting a gear, or two, sharper throttle tip in all whereas firming up the suspension.
No less than the brake pedal has some chunk, although it is available in too early, in comparison with the blended system within the 63 S E Efficiency AMGs.
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 Hybrid
Mercedes E 53 Hybrid powertrain straddles the longer term and previous
Mercedes paired its 3.0-liter turbo-6 with an electrical motor that’s sandwiched between the engine and 9-speed computerized transmission for a complete output of 577 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. A Race Begin mode ups increase quickly for 604 hp all in for a 0-60 mph dash of three.7 seconds. High pace is electronically restricted to 155 mph, however it may be unlocked to 174 mph with the AMG Dynamic Plus Bundle. This wasn’t examined.
Neither have been Mercedes’ charging claims. The 21.7-kwh (usable) battery pack is alleged to be able to DC quick charging (which is normal with a CCS port on the motive force’s aspect) at as much as 60 kw. From a Stage 2 AC connector the E 53 makes use of a 9.6-kw onboard charger.
If it wasn’t already obvious, the E 53 lands a step beneath the true high-performance AMG plug-in hybrid powertrain, which mixes a turbo-4 and 9-speed computerized with an electrical motor that’s packaged in a 2-speed transmission with a limited-slit differential (multi function housing) mounted within the rear of the automobile.
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 Hybrid
Mercedes offers E 53 some low-key racer bits
Recognizing an E 53 Hybrid isn’t exhausting, nevertheless it does take a look. It doesn’t scream loudly “I’m right here” with an enormous wing.
The entrance will get an AMG-specific Panamericana grille whereas the decrease fascia will get reworked intakes. The driving force-side decrease consumption is open and feeds air to the intercooler whereas the passenger-side consumption is blocked off for aerodynamics. Each side characteristic air curtains that feed cool air to the entrance brakes. AMG-specific wheels fill the wells and faux fender vents look tacked onto the perimeters like an afterthought. The rear options quad oval exhaust finishers and could be had with a $1,750 carbon fiber package deal that dressed every little thing up.
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 Hybrid
Inside its normal E-Class honest, which is to say a beautiful inside that’s seemingly screwed collectively. My tester’s $3,250 high-back sport bucket seats up entrance have been snug, however simply so. At 5-foot-10 with a medium body they nearly have been pinching my bottom. Bigger Individuals should not go for these—or the flat-bottom AMG-specific twin-spoke steering wheel that has infuriating touch-sensitive quantity management. Arduous move.
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 Hybrid
Mercedes AMG E 53 Hybrid prices luxurious cash
At $89,150 together with an $1,150 vacation spot cost the E 53 Hybrid isn’t an affordable plug-in hybrid. At that, the Mercedes plug-in hybrid sedan prices over $14,000 greater than a plug-in BMW 5-Collection, albeit with extra energy and electrical driving vary.
Add a number of choice packages like the game seats, passenger-side entrance dashboard-mounted show, carbon fiber bits, and upgraded wheels and shortly the E 53 Hybrid turns into a six-figure affair.
For patrons in search of a sporty plug-in hybrid with significant vary and splendid inside the 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 Hybrid suits the invoice. However for that cash, a reasonably good EQE—actually kissing EQE AMG cash right here—could be had throughout the showroom. So can a Lucid Air.
Mercedes-Benz paid for journey, lodging, and put me in a bucket on the entrance of a snow cat that drove me up a mountain to convey you this firsthand overview.
