2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, having been around since its 2019 hatchback debut and 2020 sedan follow-up, aimed to shed Toyota's "boring" image with bold exterior styling. It featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, though it couldn't quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesive design of the Honda Civic. The Corolla offered varied styling elements across its trims, with the SE and XSE models sporting an aggressive front fascia, while the Nightshade Edition added blacked-out trim. The Apex Edition, with its subtle body kit and 18-inch wheels, stood out in Cement Grey, exuding a "Fast and Furious" vibe. Despite its sporty exterior, the interior remained simple, with standard Toyota fit and finish, though the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a variety of body styles, including coupe, convertible, sedan, and station wagon, with the E350 sedan featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The E450 models boasted a turbo 3.0-litre inline-six with EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology. The AMG E53 Cabriolet, with its matte-finish paint, premium leather, and carbon fibre trim, was a luxury statement, priced at over $100,000. The E-Class design was pure and elegant, with AMG styling, intricate wheels, and a convertible top enhancing its allure. Inside, the high-end spec featured digital displays, Burmester speaker grilles, and luxurious leather, creating an opulent atmosphere.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options: a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower and 126 lb-ft of torque for the L, LE, and XLE models, and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque for the SE and XSE models. The Apex Edition shared the latter engine but added a sport exhaust system. The Corolla's manual transmission suited the SE Apex Edition, enhancing its sportiness with a model-specific suspension, including unique coil springs, solid stabilizer bars, and an increased spring rate. This setup improved handling but compromised ride quality. Despite its sporty aspirations, the Apex Edition lacked significant performance upgrades, making it more fun in corners than the standard Corolla but not a true performance model.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 models featured a 3.0-litre turbo inline-6 engine with EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology, producing 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The engine delivered robust performance across the rev range, with a 0-100 km/h time of 4.6 seconds. The AMG Speedshift nine-speed automatic transmission and AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system ensured power delivery to the pavement, with multiple AMG Dynamic Select driving modes altering the car's character. The E53 Cabriolet's AMG-tuned air suspension and performance exhaust system, along with optional 20-inch wheels and summer performance tires, highlighted its dual personality as a comfortable cruiser and a capable performer on twisty roads.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered decent headroom and legroom, similar to the Honda Civic, with a low beltline aiding visibility. However, the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard hindered forward visibility. The driver's seat was positioned for optimal comfort, but long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla's 371 litres of cargo space lagged behind competitors, though a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat was standard. The interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin centre console and shallow cupholders.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet accommodated four passengers comfortably, with an Aircap system reducing cabin turbulence. The focus was on driver and front passenger comfort, with standard heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a neck-warming Airscarf system. Sun-reflective leather and ventilated front seats were available for hot weather, while the triple-layer acoustic soft top maintained cabin comfort. The test car featured multi-contour front seats with massage and an Air Balance interior fragrance system. With the top raised, the trunk offered 360 litres of cargo space, reduced by half with the top down.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system lagged behind competitors, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the base model and an 8-inch touchscreen on other trims. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with a six-speaker audio system. The XSE and XLE trims offered a nine-speaker, 800-watt JBL audio system. While the interface was user-friendly, the graphics appeared dated, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were unavailable. The Corolla lacked novel tech features like the Hyundai Elantra's Digital Key.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class excelled in digital instrumentation and infotainment with its MBUX system. Two 12.3-inch screens formed the foundation, offering high-resolution displays. Interaction options included the touchscreen, centre console controls, digital voice assistant, and steering wheel touch-sensing buttons. MBUX included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi service, and an augmented reality video overlay for navigation. A head-up display and a Burmester surround-sound audio system were available. The system's complexity required acclimation, but it was intuitive for those familiar with smartphones.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It featured eight airbags and standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, Lane Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available from the LE trim.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class included standard safety features like forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The E-Class Cabriolet had pop-up rollbars for rollover protection. Mercedes Pre Safe and Pre Safe Sound were standard, preparing the cabin for impact and protecting hearing. Active Parking Assist, a surround-view camera system, and rain-sensing wipers with Magic Vision Control were also standard. The optional Driver Assistance Package added advanced features like adaptive cruise control, Active Steering Assist, and Pre Safe Plus.