2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, was a testament to the brand's commitment to "sensual purity," a design philosophy that emphasized fluid, curvier forms reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. The E-Class featured a more refined and slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear design harked back to the W212 with horizontal taillights. Despite the absence of the classic standing hood ornament, the E-Class maintained its elegance across its sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible variants. Inside, the cabin was a luxurious haven, adorned with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre, complemented by intricate details like metal speaker grilles and ambient lighting. The dual 12-inch screens and the new digital instrument panel added a modern touch, making the E-Class's interior unmatched in its class.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid, while mostly a carryover from previous years, surprised with its futuristic and expressive design. The front end was bold, with a sneering face and muscular features, and the wheel options ranged from 17-inch to 19-inch alloys. Inside, the Camry Hybrid continued the futuristic theme with a sweeping dashboard and a well-organized centre stack. The second row offered ample space and comfort, even for the middle seat, and the fit and finish were of high quality, with smooth paint and trim. The Camry Hybrid's interior was practical and user-friendly, with generous storage options and a spacious trunk, thanks to the low-mounted battery pack.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced significant changes under the hood, with the E450 model transitioning to an electrified inline-six powertrain. This hybrid system, featuring a 48-volt electrical system, provided an additional 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque for brief moments, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. The E450's 3.0-litre inline-six engine produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, while the AMG E53 variant added a second turbo, boosting output to 429 hp and 384 lb-ft. The AMG E63 S, with its hand-built 4.0-litre V8, delivered a staggering 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Despite the impressive power figures, the E-Class prioritized comfort and refinement over outright performance, with the AMG models offering a balance of speed and handling precision.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid focused on fuel efficiency, with the entry-level LE model achieving ratings of 4.9 L/100 km in the city and 4.8 on the highway. The hybrid system combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 208 horsepower. An electronically controlled CVT sent power to the front wheels, and the SE and XSE models featured paddle shifters for a more engaging driving experience. The Camry Hybrid's handling benefited from a lower centre of gravity, thanks to the battery pack's placement, offering a more dynamic feel compared to its gasoline-only counterpart. However, the focus on efficiency sometimes came at the expense of responsiveness, with occasional droning from the drivetrain.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a spacious and comfortable cabin, with ample headroom and legroom for four adults. The redesigned infotainment system and touchscreen made everyday tasks more intuitive, although mastering the dual screens required some learning. The E-Class sedan provided 540 litres of trunk space, while the wagon variant offered up to 1,820 litres with the seats folded. The coupe and convertible models had less cargo space, but the E-Class remained versatile and practical across its various body styles.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid excelled in ride height, seating position, and ease of use. The driver's seat offered multiple adjustments, allowing for a comfortable driving position regardless of height. The second row was spacious and easy to access, with generous storage options throughout the cabin. The Camry Hybrid's trunk provided 428 litres of space, with a passthrough for longer items and foldable rear seats for additional cargo capacity. Toyota's warranty coverage was comprehensive, with the hybrid battery covered for 10 years or 240,000 kilometres.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, which allowed for touch, swipe, and voice commands. The system was well-organized, with shortcut buttons for major functions and gesture controls for added convenience. The E-Class offered a range of optional features, including massaging seats, seat kinetics, and advanced driving assists. However, the system lacked over-the-air updates, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid came equipped with Toyota's latest technology, including a premium JBL audio system on the XLE model. The Camry Hybrid offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility as standard, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the LE and a 9-inch touchscreen on other trims. The XLE and XSE models featured advanced options like a head-up display, bird’s-eye view camera, and ventilated seats, bringing the Camry Hybrid close to luxury levels of tech.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was a leader in safety, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS. The E-Class featured innovative safety technologies, such as Pre-Safe Sound and side collision protection, with a range of standard and optional driver-assist features.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ as standard, including a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure alert. The Camry Hybrid also featured 10 airbags, a blind-spot monitor, and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, along with a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.