2022 Audi A4 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, showcased a design evolution that embraced the "sensual purity" theme, moving away from the sharper angles of its predecessor. This model featured a more fluid and curvier form, reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. The E-Class had a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights. The new bumpers, larger air intakes, exhaust tips, and wheels contributed to its elegant appearance. Despite the absence of the classic standing hood ornament, the E-Class maintained its reserved and conservative exterior, with the AMG models adding a touch of drama with their quad exhaust tips and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of luxury, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre adorning the cabin. The interior featured intricate details like metal speaker grilles, elaborate stitching, and ambient lighting, creating a rich and inviting space. The dual 12-inch screens provided a modern touch, with the instrument panel transitioning to a digital display for 2021. The new steering wheels, with touch-sensitive controls and additional screens, added to the lavish and modern feel of the E-Class interior.

The 2022 Audi A4, available in sedan, Allroad wagon, and S4 performance-tuned models, offered a simple, clean, and conservative design. The A4's appearance was enhanced by the Tango Red paint, Black Edition package detailing, and classic five-arm rotor-design wheels, creating a sensationally good look. Inside, the A4 maintained a similar aesthetic restraint, with black everything complemented by aluminum trim, gloss black décor, and metallic accents. The dashboard integrated air vents seamlessly, and controls were properly labeled for ease of use. The A4 featured high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation panel, and ambient interior lighting. However, the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system appeared somewhat out of place, resembling an afterthought rather than an integrated part of the design.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced electrified inline-six powertrains for its highest-volume models, replacing the conventional V6 engines. The E450 became a hybrid, utilizing a 48-volt electrical system to supplement the 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 E450's 3.0-litre inline-six engine produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional overboost from the battery. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, technically a supercharger, powered by the 48-volt battery, resulting in 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The AMG E63 S, with its hand-built 4.0-litre V8 engine, delivered 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a high-performance variant. The E-Class offered a balance of power and comfort, with the AMG models providing brisk acceleration and a healthy exhaust note. Fuel efficiency varied across models, with the E450 4Matic and E350 4Matic sedans achieving 9.2 and 9.4 L/100 km combined, respectively.

The 2022 Audi A4 offered two engine options: the 40 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 201 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, and the 45 TFSI with 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Both engines used a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and the Quattro Ultra AWD system. The A4 45 TFSI accelerated to 100 km/h in approximately 5.4 seconds, with a fuel economy rating of 8.8 L/100 km combined. The A4's driving experience was enhanced by paddle shifters, a refined engine, and a solid punch of torque. The Quattro Ultra AWD system provided stability, while the suspension conveyed a rock-solid sensation over bumps. The A4's quiet cabin and efficient brakes added to the overall driving enjoyment.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making everyday tasks easier. The cabin was spacious for four adults, with ample headroom and legroom. The E-Class offered various body styles, including sedan, coupe, convertible, and wagon, each with its own cargo space measurements. The sedan provided 540 litres of trunk space, while the wagon offered 640 litres, expandable to 1,820 litres with seats folded. The coupe and convertible had less cargo space, with the latter sacrificing rear seat comfort for the folding soft top. The E-Class All-Terrain wagon added ground clearance and plastic body cladding for a more rugged appearance.

The 2022 Audi A4's low seating position made entry and exit challenging, but once inside, the front seats offered exceptional comfort with power adjustment and thigh-support cushions. The A4 featured a three-zone automatic climate control system, separate from the infotainment screen, for ease of use. The rear seats accommodated adults, though legroom was limited, and the hard plastic seatbacks were unfriendly to knees. Interior storage was limited, with the centre console bin housing the wireless charging pad. The A4's 340-litre cargo space was well-finished, with storage nets and enclosed hinges to protect luggage.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a touchscreen interface with gesture control and natural voice processing. The system offered various display options for the instrument cluster, allowing customization of the car's appearance. The E-Class included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wireless, and optional driving assists for enhanced safety. The massaging seats and seat kinetics function added to the luxurious experience, while the lack of over-the-air updates was a drawback.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The system supported smartphone functions like swipe and scroll, with acoustic feedback for selections. The A4 included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI was intuitive, with separate climate controls and a knob for stereo volume. The voice recognition technology was accurate but slow, and the head-up display was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for the driver's side frontal crash test. The 2020 E-Class sedan was a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS. The E-Class featured innovative safety technologies like Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during side collisions. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2022 Audi A4 offered a range of safety features under the Audi Pre Sense umbrella, including collision preparation, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The A4 Technik model included lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The driver assistance tech was effective, though the adaptive cruise control had a delayed reaction in certain situations.