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You can turn off the Zero Layer interface and revert to the single app view, which is similar to how the 213/213mopf was. Press and hold Home until you're given the option.
You can also change the climate shortcut buttons. In the Climate screen, press the gear and choose the button you want.
I do have zero layer turned off to avoid the native map, but that just defaults to the app screen, not the last open app i.e. the radio like it was with the 213. Either way there are multiple steps in the screen interface to change a SXM station; with the 213 it was a swipe down and over on the touchpad without eyes leaving the road. There is no doubt I am a less attentive driver in the 214.
You can choose between AC or recirc, but you cannot have both in the climate shortcuts.
Is there a way to have a shortcut button to navigate to home? Or do you have to go into recent destinations every time?
Forgot to add that to my gripe list of dumbed-down UI: With the identical steering wheel on the 213, the joker button could be programmed for myriad of functions. With the 214 you are stuck with last called numbers for some stupid reason.
I want to start a thread pertaining to the 2026 E53 AMG for users to provide feedback on orders, build dates and actually deliveries.
I have a 26 E53EW4 on order since Mid May with a build date of 07/21. I am curious as to what the prices are going to look like for 26 models along with shipping dates. Here is what I have ordered for options:
AMG Dynamic Plus Package
AMG Night Package Plus
21" Wheels
Pinnacle Trim
Multi Contour Seating w/ red seat belts
Sun Protection package since I am in FL
Silver Fabric Trim & Console
AMG Fuel cap
All season floor mats
Color is cirrus silver with black leather.
I will be coming out of a 2025 CLE 53 AMG and super excited to get this new car.
what made you want to come out of a 2025 CLE 53 amg? Was it not fast enough? The aesthetics? The coupe form factor? The build quality?
just curious, but were you forced to take a substantial financial hit in making the switch? How many miles did/does your CLE53 have/had?
2026 G 63, 2025 McLaren Artura Spider, 2026 E 53 Wagon
Originally Posted by Mercuccio
Here are some stock photos of the interior that I pulled off the sales listing. It has the black MB-Tex and Dynamica interior with red stitching. I am very pleased with the look of the interior.
I continue to think that is exceedingly dumb that the steering wheel blocks the turn signal indicators. It would be so easy to move the turn indicators to the center where they are visible by a driver of any height. The turn signals no longer make the "blink blink" sound either. I can't see or hear the turn signal indicators. I have a bad habit of moving the turn signal stalk all the way up or down to signal a lane change. If you see a guy in a silver E53 driving down the road with a blinker on it could be me. What I didn't recall from the test drive, is that in my default seating position the numbers on the tachometer are blocked by the steering wheel too. The light that indicates that the engine has warmed up is also blocked by the steering wheel.
Overall, I'd give the interior an A+. The Alcantara seat inserts with red accents look and feel great and they add a sporty element to the car. They pair nicely with the AMG dark grey wood. The lighted AMG on the dash is well done and adds to the ambiance at night. I'd give the driver display an F+ because a driver should be able to see all the indicators on the driver display. The capacitive touch controls on the steering wheel seem like a highly questionable choice. I suspect that the capacitive control on the left side of the steering wheel could drive me insane if I had to use it frequently. It seems to swipe across when I want to swipe up or down, or vice versa. I plan to set the driver display configuration and then never touch the left side button with arrows ever again. Initially the capacitive touch volume control on the center dash was hard to use, but I have started adjusting to it.
If Mercedes would put some real buttons on the steering wheel and hire someone that passed a user interface design class to design the driver display, this would be an excellent interior. As is, it is an excellent interior with a few obviously bad choices designed to frustrate the driver. The interior is comfortable, feels special and is a nice place to be in. Like the exterior, the interior is a nice combination of sport and luxury and fits this car's personality.
Wow - great build, enjoy it! Thanks for posting pics. I haven't seen one in person yet, but this looks amazing.
I have to agree on the UI. Perhaps given that it is mostly SW controlled...we could see an update in the future to address these obvious gripes? Hope!
Now, the physical controls aren't going anywhere in existing cars. Seems like every manufacture has to learn their lesson here. Recently VW did the same thing with capacitive controls but is back to physical controls. Bring back tactile buttons, knobs, switches for the most commonly used functions!
We also have a 2024 Acura Integra in the family. Every time I get in it, I remark how straightforward the climate control system is and they combined physical and touch interface works well together (knob for volume, etc).
My complaints are strictly the software programming. While I do not agree with the industry trend to screen-only operation, I accept it because it makes sense from a manufacturing cost perspective and I can keep/buy older cars if I don’t want it.
This is a global car, and in all other markets Mercedes competes with Chinese manufacturers that are taking all of the European brands’ lunch money. Reducing parts count I get…but I really don’t understand how they can take steps backwards in UI software.
Here are two pics of a real car with the MB-Tex with red stiching. It does look very sharp. If I didn't want real leather and the multicontour, I would have absolutely loved this look.
Here are two pics of a real car with the MB-Tex with red stiching. It does look very sharp. If I didn't want real leather and the multicontour, I would have absolutely loved this look.
Based on my perception and limited time in the car, I'd say that the colors in the generic Mercedes pictures are truer to life than the pictures above, which seem to have more saturated reds and more light reflection. The MB-Tex in my car is a fairly close match to the steering wheel leather in color and grain. I would say that it isn't as glossy black as the pics above. The red stitching in the seats seems more subtle in person, closer to the stock photos. I like the more prominent red stitching in the photos above, but it does appear more subtle to me in person.
It might be the lighting, but I think saturation and contrast were boosted in the photos above. To me, the reds and the blacks pop out more in the pictures above than what I perceive in the car.
Is that a suede-like simulation in the center sections? I didn’t know they had such a thing in MB Tex.
Yup. It's called Dynamica in Audi and the materials is Alcantara which is a suede like synthetic fabric. On steering wheels it's used mainly for better traction and tactile feel in a race car with racing gloves. In a performance wagon it's for posing and being a terrible maintenance nightmare.
Based on my perception and limited time in the car, I'd say that the colors in the generic Mercedes pictures are truer to life than the pictures above, which seem to have more saturated reds and more light reflection. The MB-Tex in my car is a fairly close match to the steering wheel leather in color and grain. I would say that it isn't as glossy black as the pics above. The red stitching in the seats seems more subtle in person, closer to the stock photos. I like the more prominent red stitching in the photos above, but it does appear more subtle to me in person.
It might be the lighting, but I think saturation and contrast were boosted in the photos above. To me, the reds and the blacks pop out more in the pictures above than what I perceive in the car.
Agreed that the images were definitely boosted for effect. I just wanted to show the two I found from actual cars from a different perspective (I have a few more from other cars too). I have a similar look in my Audi (Year 1 edition had the red seatbelts and stitching) and it's a nice combo for sure.
Yup. It's called Dynamica in Audi and the materials is Alcantara which is a suede like synthetic fabric. On steering wheels it's used mainly for better traction and tactile feel in a race car with racing gloves. In a performance wagon it's for posing and being a terrible maintenance nightmare.
Yep, and after driving it for a month, There's no way it will hold up two years let alone longer than that. I'm very seriously thinking about getting a replacement wheel with the perforated leather center section and putting this one away for "completeness" if/when I decide to sell the car.
Yep, and after driving it for a month, There's no way it will hold up two years let alone longer than that. I'm very seriously thinking about getting a replacement wheel with the perforated leather center section and putting this one away for "completeness" if/when I decide to sell the car.
Interesting thought. I do wish the dynamic package didn’t force the “microfiber” steering wheel.
I would not get the microfiber wheel either. It always bugged me they had a carbon fiber wheel in some models, but it was with microfiber. Why not also pair it with the leather??
Yep, and after driving it for a month, There's no way it will hold up two years let alone longer than that. I'm very seriously thinking about getting a replacement wheel with the perforated leather center section and putting this one away for "completeness" if/when I decide to sell the car.
Well...I guess you just answered my ongoing quandary if it was possible in the future if AMG comes up with actual buttons on steering wheels instead of tactile buttons if you can just replace the steering wheels...I guess I gotta find out how much a steering wheel replacement would be and set that money aside...
Last edited by yossarian1; Jan 13, 2026 at 05:39 PM.
Well...I guess you just answered my ongoing quandary if it was possible in the future if AMG comes up with actual buttons on steering wheels instead of tactile buttons if you can just replace the steering wheels...I guess I gotta find out how much a steering wheel replacement would be and set that money aside...
Well to be fair, i'm talking about repacing it with the exact same wheel...only difference is the material on middle part. As soon as they change anything about the controls, it's probably not going to be a drop in replacement.
Well to be fair, i'm talking about repacing it with the exact same wheel...only difference is the material on middle part. As soon as they change anything about the controls, it's probably not going to be a drop in replacement.
dangit…now I am questioning just waiting for a 2027 E53 wagon for all of the updates…
Is that a suede-like simulation in the center sections? I didn’t know they had such a thing in MB Tex.
Yes. It is a synthetic suede in the seat centers. Mercedes calls the suede "Dynamica." Other auto manufacturers call it Alcantara. It is the same suede that is on the steering wheel in the Dynamics package. It's also available on the interior headliner, pillars and sun visors with the Dynamica headliner option.
The 2027 E-Class with EQ sedan includes new chassis & body. It will look similar to the gas powered E-Class. The jellybean is dead.
The 2027 W214 may have an early facelift.
^ That is poorly rendered clickbait and nothing more. With the uncertainty of global emissions requirements and overinvestment in short term EV strategy, German manufacturers are extending the lives of platforms, not reducing them.
^ That is poorly rendered clickbait and nothing more. With the uncertainty of global emissions requirements and overinvestment in short term EV strategy, German manufacturers are extending the lives of platforms, not reducing them.
What a load of ...
The switch from the current model to the MB.EA platform represents a significant cost savings.
Next year's E-Class with EQ has already been seen testing on 2 continents on public roads. It is real.
It will be for sale in the US in a few months.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
