The 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 Wagon Delivers Impressive Performance Without a V8 Engine.

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      What do you call a five-passenger, four-door, extended-roof vehicle boasting 577 horsepower and 41 miles of electric range? With a sub-4-second 0-60 mph time and a maximum speed of 174 mph (with the right package, mind you), it's certainly fast. However, Mercedes refers to it as B-tier.

      Formally, it's known as the Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 Wagon. While it may seem odd to consider a nearly 600 hp vehicle as second-rate, the designation "53" makes it clear. It's not a "63" or "65," which represent the company's top-tier, high-piston engines. Why is that? Simply put, this vehicle derives most of its power from a hybrid inline-six rather than a V8. Clearly, Mercedes learned a lesson from the C63.

      The Engine

      Benz’s new 3.0-liter inline-six generates 443 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque on its own. It delivers a smooth, linear performance and has an appealing sound. This engine isn’t exclusive to this model; it has replaced what used to be either a naturally aspirated V8 or “biturbo” V6 in Mercedes vehicles.

      In an alternate reality where Mercedes-Benz might get more demand from a wagon, we envision this engine (without the electrical component) as a strong contender for an AMG 45 model.

      The Motor

      The remainder of the E53’s power comes from an electric motor that produces 161 hp and 354 lb-ft on its own. That’s sufficient torque to move the hefty E53, but not particularly fast. With 161 hp and a weight of 5,401 pounds, it has a power-to-weight ratio comparable to a 1990 diesel Chevy Suburban.

      I have to say: that doesn't feel very AMG.

      The Drive

      We often highlight vehicles for their contrasting characters, but nothing illustrates “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” quite like a car that shifts from 161 to 577 hp with a simple turn of a steering wheel dial. That encapsulates the E53 perfectly. With the default drive setting, you’ll experience this every time you start it up because when the battery is sufficiently charged, the E53 prefers to operate as an EV. Perhaps one day, it will fully achieve that.

      Yes, it will initiate in electric-only mode as long as the battery isn’t drained. This is reasonable; there’s no need for 577 hp just to maneuver out of a parking space. This feature aligns well with Europe, where numerous large cities have prohibited combustion-engine vehicles (aside from service vehicles and taxis) without hybrid systems. This is why you often find “last-mile” electric modes in European cars; they need to comply with regulations. Here in the U.S., this seems like a bit of a miss.

      My time with the wagon is nearly over, and I’ll provide a more detailed review of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

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