2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was a versatile offering, available in coupe, convertible, sedan, and station wagon body styles, a variety unmatched by most competitors. The E-Class sedans, designated as E350, featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the E450 variants boasted a turbo 3.0-litre inline-six with EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology. In Canada, the E-Class came standard with 4Matic all-wheel drive. The AMG-tuned E-Class models, like the AMG E53, offered a more powerful version of the E450 engine, providing a thrilling driving experience. The AMG E53 Cabriolet, with its luxurious matte-finish paint, premium leather, and carbon fibre trim, was priced at a base of $103,000, with options pushing it close to $120,000 Canadian. This model was designed for those who appreciated luxury and performance, with its striking design and high-end interior features.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid, six years into its eighth generation, offered a more subdued yet practical design. The Nightshade Edition, available with SE trim, featured a sporty appearance with black-trimmed headlights, a TRD mesh grille, and matte-bronze 19-inch alloy wheels. The Camry Hybrid's interior, while not as luxurious as the E-Class, was functional and straightforward, with standard features like keyless entry, push-button start, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The Camry Hybrid's simplicity and durability were its strengths, though the interior materials and road noise left room for improvement. The Camry Hybrid SE Nightshade Edition was priced at $40,785 in Canada, offering a more budget-friendly option compared to the E-Class.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet was powered by a 3.0-litre turbo inline-6 engine with EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology, producing 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided robust performance across a wide rev range, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.6 seconds. The AMG Speedshift nine-speed automatic transmission and AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system ensured power was effectively delivered to the road. The E53 Cabriolet featured an AMG-tuned air suspension and performance exhaust system, offering a dual personality of a comfortable cruiser and a dynamic sports car. The convertible was well-suited for three-season driving, with features like heated wiper blades and a comprehensive camera system for winter use.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 208 horsepower. The hybrid system used a CVT to drive the front wheels, with six programmed ratios for a more traditional driving feel. The Camry Hybrid's fuel economy was rated at 4.9 L/100 km in combined driving, but real-world testing showed an average of 7.0 L/100 km. The Camry Hybrid SE Nightshade featured sport suspension tuning, providing decent handling and grip, though the stability control system was overly sensitive. The hybrid powertrain offered quick acceleration from a stop, and the regenerative braking system was well-modulated.

The Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet was a true four-passenger convertible, with comfortable seating for adults in both the front and rear. The Aircap system reduced cabin turbulence with the top down, and the car featured heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a neck-warming Airscarf system. The E-Class Cabriolet's trunk offered 360 litres of cargo space with the top up, but this was significantly reduced with the top down.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid's interior was simple and functional, with durable materials and a straightforward layout. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment for the driver and manual adjustment for the passenger, with a height-adjustable feature for easier access. The rear seats were less spacious than competitors like the Honda Accord, and the lack of rear air conditioning vents was a drawback. The Camry's trunk provided 428 litres of space, accommodating full-size suitcases on their sides.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, with two 12.3-inch screens for the touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. The system offered smartphone connectivity, voice control, and customizable settings. Upgrades included Wi-Fi service, augmented reality navigation, and a Burmester surround-sound audio system. The MBUX system was generally user-friendly, though the digital assistant could be inadvertently activated.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered a 7-inch or 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. The larger system included connected navigation and a JBL premium sound system. The test car had the basic 7-inch system, which was functional but lacked advanced features. Physical knobs and buttons surrounded the screen, though they could be more ergonomic. Additional tech options included a 7-inch driver information centre and a 10-inch head-up display.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class came with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Cabriolet also had pop-up rollbars for rollover protection. The optional Driver Assistance Package added features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and evasive steering assist. The package was effective, with impressive adaptive cruise control and lane-change functionality.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid included 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which offered forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the system lacked refinement, with abrupt braking and inconsistent lane-keeping performance. The Camry received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though it performed poorly in the updated side-impact crash test.