by Michael Gauthier
- Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid Wagon starts at $93,350 before destination charges.
- It undercuts high-performance wagons from Audi and BMW by over $30,000.
- Plug-in hybrid makes 577 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque combined.
High-performance wagon fans can rejoice as all three German brands now have an option in the United States. Besides the Audi RS6 Avant and BMW M5 Touring, enthusiasts can get the 2026 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid Wagon.
Set to arrive at dealerships this fall, the model will start at $93,350 before a $1,150 destination charge. This means the wagon costs $3,750 more than the sedan, which also has a slightly higher delivery fee of $1,250. On the bright side, it costs tens of thousands of dollars less than the Audi and BMW. The former starts at $130,700, while the latter begins at $123,900.
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Of course, there’s a reason for this as the E 53 is slightly less powerful. It features a plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, a 28.6 kWh battery, and an electric motor that is integrated into a nine-speed automatic transmission. This gives the car a combined output of 577 hp (430 kW / 585 PS) and 553 lb-ft (749 Nm) of torque.
Those are solid numbers and they enable the wagon to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in four seconds flat, and have an electric-only range of 41 miles (66 km). It can also hit a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h), but that increases to 174 mph (280 km/h) with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package.
The package also adds a limited-slip rear differential and a composite braking system with larger front discs. They’re accompanied by a Race Start function, which increases the output to 604 hp (450 kW / 612 PS) while also lowering the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time to 3.8 seconds.
How It Stacks Up
While those numbers are nothing to sneeze at, the Audi RS6 Avant Performance has a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 pumping out 621 hp (463 kW / 630 PS) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.3 seconds.
The M5 Touring, on the other hand, has a plug-in hybrid powertrain producing a combined output of 717 hp (535 kW / 727 PS) and 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) of torque. While it has a shorter electric-only range of 25 miles (40 km), the model hits 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.5 seconds.
Comes Nicely Equipped
Putting the competition aside, the E 53 Hybrid Wagon comes nicely equipped with all-wheel drive, rear-axle steering, and an AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping. Buyers will also find 20-inch wheels, although 21-inchers are also available.
Speaking of options, the wagon will offer more than ten colors as well as three styling packages. The latter include Night and Night Plus options as well as a Carbon Fiber package.
Moving inside, there are heated power front seats wrapped in MB-Tex and microfiber upholstery. They’re joined by a heated Nappa leather sport steering wheel, a panoramic glass sunroof, and a Burmester 4D surround sound system. Other highlights include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.4-inch infotainment system.
An assortment of options will be available including an MBUX Superscreen Package, which adds a 12.3-inch front passenger display. Customers can also get Nappa leather seats, wood or carbon fiber trim, and Multicontour or AMG Performance seating packages.
Besides standalone options and packages, there are Exclusive and Pinnacle trims. The former adds Digital Light headlights, heat and noise insulating glass, and an active ambient lighting system with sound visualization technology.
The Pinnacle includes the aforementioned equipment as well as fancier headlights that can project images onto the roadway. Buyers will also find a head-up display, a four-zone climate control system, and an MBUX Interior Assistant.
Last but not least, there will be an Edition 1 variant. It will have a unique Manufaktur Alpine Grey exterior with contrasting accents and graphics. They’ll be joined by black 21-inch forged wheels, additional equipment, and an “edition-specific interior.”
