2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, was a testament to the brand's "sensual purity" design philosophy, as described by Mercedes chief designer Gorden Wagener. This model moved away from the sharper angles of its predecessor, adopting a more fluid and curvier form reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. The E-Class 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 elegant and reserved appearance, especially in its AMG models, which boasted vertical grille slats and quad exhaust tips. Inside, the E-Class was a luxurious haven, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre adorning the cabin. The interior was a blend of decadent materials and modern technology, highlighted by two 12-inch screens and a digital instrument panel, making it a standout in its class.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Corolla aimed to shed its reputation for blandness with a more extroverted exterior design. The Corolla featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, though it couldn't quite match the boldness of competitors like the Hyundai Elantra. Different trim levels offered unique styling elements, such as the aggressive front fascia on the SE and XSE models and the blacked-out trim on the Nightshade Edition. The Apex Edition added a subtle body kit and model-specific wheels, giving it a sportier appearance. Inside, the Corolla's design was simple yet appealing, with fit and finish up to Toyota's usual standards. However, the interior lacked the imagination of the exterior, with piano black plastic trim that attracted dust and smudges. The Corolla's interior was functional but not particularly exciting, with cloth upholstery standard and SofTex leatherette available on higher trims.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced a significant change with the switch 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 provided extra power and torque, allowing the engine to shut off more frequently to save fuel and reduce emissions. 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, delivering 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, while the AMG E63 S boasted a hand-built 4.0-litre V8 engine with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Despite its performance capabilities, the E-Class remained a comfortable and refined vehicle, with variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased all-wheel drive enhancing its driving dynamics.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options, depending on the trim level. The Corolla L, LE, and XLE models featured a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower and 126 lb-ft of torque, while the SE and XSE models had a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The Apex Edition shared the same engine but added a sport exhaust system. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) was standard, except for the base L model, which came with a six-speed manual. The SE Apex Edition, with its manual transmission and sportier suspension, offered improved handling and a more engaging driving experience. However, the Apex Edition was not a full-fledged performance model, lacking upgrades to tires, brakes, or engine. The Corolla's performance was adequate for everyday driving, but it didn't match the excitement of more performance-oriented vehicles.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making everyday tasks more intuitive. The cabin was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. The E-Class offered various body styles, including a sedan, coupe, convertible, and wagon, each with its own unique features. The sedan provided 540 litres of trunk space, while the wagon offered up to 1,820 litres with the seats folded. The coupe and convertible had less cargo space, but the wagon's stowable rear-facing jump seat added versatility. Despite its luxury status, the E-Class lacked some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats in certain trims.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior was decently roomy, with headroom and legroom comparable to the Honda Civic. The low beltline improved outward visibility, but the steeply raked windshield limited forward visibility. The Corolla's 371 litres of cargo space fell short of competitors like the Civic and Sentra, but it included a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat as standard. The interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin centre console and shallow cupholders. The angled phone tray was too small for practical use, and while wireless charging was available, it wasn't particularly convenient.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, which allowed for touch, poke, and swipe interactions. The interface was well-organized, with shortcut buttons for major functions and gesture controls for added convenience. The system included natural voice processing, online searches, and a live feed from the front camera for navigation. Optional features like massaging seats and seat kinetics added to the luxury experience. However, the system didn't support over-the-air updates, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto weren't wireless. The E-Class offered a range of driving assists, including lane-changing and curve-slowing capabilities, though full autonomy wasn't yet available.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system lagged behind competitors, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the base model and an 8-inch screen on higher trims. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM were standard, along with a six-speaker audio system. The interface was user-friendly, but some tasks were more cumbersome than in other vehicles. The graphics appeared dated, and wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto weren't offered. The Corolla lacked innovative tech features like Hyundai's Digital Key, but it provided essential connectivity options for most buyers.

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+" designation from the IIHS. The E-Class featured advanced safety innovations, such as Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during collisions. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla also excelled in safety, earning a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Corolla came equipped with eight airbags and a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features under the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 banner. These included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on higher trims.