2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, was introduced in 2017, showcasing a departure from the sharper angles of its predecessor to embrace the fluid, curvier design language seen in the S-Class and C-Class models of the mid-2010s. This design philosophy, termed "sensual purity" by Mercedes' chief designer Gorden Wagener, was evident in the E-Class's smooth and elegant exterior. The 2021 model featured a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights. Despite the absence of the classic standing hood ornament, the E-Class maintained its reputation as a reserved and conservative vehicle, with AMG models adding a touch of sportiness through features like quad exhaust tips and larger wheels. Inside, the E-Class offered a luxurious cabin with rich materials, intricate details, and advanced technology, including two 12-inch screens and a digital instrument panel, making it a standout in its class.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class incorporated design elements from other Mercedes models, resulting in a cohesive and stylish sedan. The front end mirrored the CLA-Class, while the rear design took cues from the S-Class, creating a recognizable Mercedes silhouette. The C-Class featured cab-rearward proportions, emphasizing its rear-wheel-drive platform, and standard LED headlights and taillights, with the option to upgrade to the Mercedes Digital Light system. Inside, the C-Class aimed to emulate the luxury of the S-Class with a freestanding touchscreen, prominent air vents, and intricate speaker grilles. The interior offered a sense of luxury with features like nightclub-style ambient lighting and comfortable seats, although standard upholstery was MBTex synthetic leather. The C-Class provided a compelling case for luxury car buyers, despite some minor drawbacks like dashboard glare and limited standard leather options.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced significant changes to its powertrain lineup, notably transitioning from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for its high-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid, utilizing a 48-volt electrical system to supplement the traditional 12-volt system. This setup included a small lithium-ion battery powering an electric starter-generator, providing brief boosts of up to 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The E450's 3.0-litre inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional power available through the battery's overboost. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, resulting in 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, offering brisk acceleration and a refined driving experience. The AMG E63 S, with its hand-built 4.0-litre V8 engine, delivered an impressive 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a performance powerhouse. Despite the E-Class's focus on comfort, the AMG models provided exhilarating performance without sacrificing ride quality.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the C300 model, producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, offering an additional 20 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. The C300 could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h. The sportier AMG C43 version, with a more powerful 2.0-litre engine, delivered 402 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, achieving a zero to 100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds. While the C300 provided sufficient power, it experienced some turbo lag and rough shifts. However, the C-Class offered a comfortable ride and decent handling, making it a well-rounded luxury sedan.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, simplifying everyday tasks. The cabin was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. The E-Class offered various body styles, including sedan, coupe, convertible, and wagon, each with its own advantages. The sedan provided 540 litres of trunk space, while the wagon offered up to 1,820 litres with seats folded. Despite its luxury status, some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats were not standard on all models.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, available only as a sedan, offered increased interior space compared to its predecessor. The longer and wider design resulted in improved headroom and rear-seat legroom, making it competitive in its segment. The C-Class provided comfortable seating with good forward visibility, although thick rear pillars created blind spots. The trunk offered 455 litres of space, with a wide opening for easy loading. The C-Class's interior design and features aimed to deliver a luxury experience, despite some minor ergonomic issues.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, offering a touchscreen interface with improved organization and functionality. The system included natural voice processing, gesture controls, and a live feed from the front camera for navigation. Optional features like massaging seats and seat kinetics added to the luxury experience. While the system lacked over-the-air updates and wireless smartphone integration, it provided a comprehensive suite of connected services and driver assists.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class adopted an infotainment setup inspired by the S-Class, with a digital instrument cluster and portrait-oriented touchscreen. Standard features included keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Burmester 3D surround-sound system. The MBUX system offered a "Zero Layer" setup, allowing multiple functions to be displayed simultaneously. The C-Class also featured an optional augmented-reality navigation system, enhancing the driving experience with overlaid arrows on the touchscreen.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class received high safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features like Pre-Safe Sound and side collision protection added to the E-Class's safety credentials.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, although it had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA at the time of publication. The C-Class offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Pre-Safe. Optional features included lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and Car-to-X communication, enhancing the C-Class's safety capabilities.