Overview A hotted-up station wagon has long been a critical part of what makes Mercedes-AMG’s performance-car lineup so iconic and the 2026 E53 wagon is joining the lineage with a 604-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain. Unlocking its maximum horsepower requires using the Race Start mode, otherwise, you get 577 ponies, which is still insane for a car with this big-backed body. Inside, the E53 wagon wears a combo of racy design elements and luxury features, heavily sprinkled with digital tech goodies including an optional package that increases the screen count to three across the entirety of the dashboard. While performance is expected to be the focus here, the E53 wagon should also have a softer side which will help make it a family-friendly alternative to a luxury SUV. When we get a chance to test drive the new E53 wagon for ourselves, we’ll update this story with driving impressions and test results. What’s New for 2026?The E53 wagon is a new model for 2026, effectively replacing the V-8–powered E63 S wagon that went out of production after the 2023 model year. It shares its plug-in hybrid powertrain with the E53 sedan and its practical station-wagon body with the Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain.Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price of the 2026 Mercedes-AMG E-Class wagon is expected to start around $120,000 and go up to $130,000 depending on the trim and options.Exclusive$120,000 (est)Pinnacle$125,000 (est)Edition 1$130,000 (est)Mercedes-AMG hasn’t released pricing for the E53 wagon yet, but we expect a six-figure starting price. Exclusive and Pinnacle trims are likely, and we know that a range-topping Edition 1 model will be offered for the first year. That limited-edition trim will come with Alpine Grey paint, AMG body-side graphics, 21-inch wheels, and special interior elements to mark its uniqueness.Engine, Transmission, and PerformanceA turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine purrs under the E53 wagon’s hood and makes 433 horsepower. An electric motor provides some extra assistance and bumps total output to 577 ponies. The E53 Wagon also features a Race Start mode which temporarily ramps up output to 604 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard, and a nine-speed automatic transmission is the only choice. All models come with rear-wheel steering and an adaptive suspension that adjusts for several different drive modes. If it’s anything like the E53 sedan, we’re expecting confident handling coupled with compliant ride quality. We’ll update this story once we get a chance to test the E53 Wagon for ourselves.0–60-MPH TimesMercedes-AMG claims that the E53 Wagon can hit 60 mph in as little as 3.8 seconds when Race Start mode is activated. Otherwise, the manufacturer estimates a 4.0-second run to 60 mph. More on the E53 Station WagonInterior, Comfort, and CargoA high-end interior awaits beyond the E53 wagon’s five doors. The front and rear seats are spacious enough for adults to cruise in comfort and there are plenty of luxury and convenience features for everyone. Faux leather is standard but genuine nappa leather is available as an upgrade, as are a set of sports seats for the driver and front passenger. Mercedes-AMG hasn’t released a full list of features and specifications yet for the E53 wagon, but we suspect it will offer the same 64 cubic feet of cargo space as the Benz-branded E450 All-Terrain wagon.The Car and Driver DifferenceInfotainment and ConnectivityThe E53 wagon features an infotainment setup similar to the E53 sedan. Along with a standard 14.4-inch touchscreen, the dash can be covered by three separate displays with the optional MBUX Superscreen. It includes a digital display behind the steering wheel for the car’s gauges and a separate screen at the center of the dashboard for infotainment duties. Mercedes has integrated some clever features—or maybe they’re cringeworthy, depending on your perspective—such as a selfie camera and downloadable third-party apps from TikTok, Angry Birds, and Zoom. In-dash navigation is available and features an augmented-reality feature to overlay directions onto the road ahead via an available head-up display.How to Buy and Maintain a CarWarranty and Maintenance CoverageMercedes-AMG covers the E53 wagon with competitive limited and powertrain warranties. However, unlike rivals such as BMW, the company doesn’t provide any amount of complimentary maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
As more information becomes available, we’ll update this story with more details about:
- Range, Charging, and Battery Life
- Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
- Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Source: caranddriver.com
