Motor Trend E53 Wagon test
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Would have been nice if it was more of a review…seems like maybe he drove it around the block. No insight on how it drives compared to the M5/RS6, and a lot of wasted space regurgitating about the screens just like every other 214 review by C/D (and every other publication). This is the third time they’ve written about the E53…the basics have been well covered already.
Nice to have the wagon spec’s, though, and to know how much it actually weighs.
Nice to have the wagon spec’s, though, and to know how much it actually weighs.
Last edited by Alan Smithee; Dec 23, 2025 at 09:10 PM.
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Would have been nice if it was more of a review…seems like maybe he drove it around the block. No insight on how it drives compared to the M5/RS6, and a lot of wasted space regurgitating about the screens just like every other 214 review by C/D (and every other publication). This is the third time they’ve written about the E53…the basics have been well covered already.
Nice to have the wagon spec’s, though, and to know how much it actually weighs.
Nice to have the wagon spec’s, though, and to know how much it actually weighs.
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
Absolutely true. EVs have democratized straight line acceleration to the point where the performance V8s, Lambos, Ferraris, McLarens just don't bring anything to the table. And that is true if straight line acceleration is your measure of performance and success.
It's not dissimilar to the era of cheap quartz watches proliferating and destroying the intrinsic value of swiss mechanical watches. As Rolex's CEO famously once said, "we're not in the timekeeping business, we're in the luxury business". And most of the cars I have mentioned are in the similar vein are not in the straight line acceleration business, they're in the luxury business.
It's not dissimilar to the era of cheap quartz watches proliferating and destroying the intrinsic value of swiss mechanical watches. As Rolex's CEO famously once said, "we're not in the timekeeping business, we're in the luxury business". And most of the cars I have mentioned are in the similar vein are not in the straight line acceleration business, they're in the luxury business.
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Edmunds recently posted their test of the E53 wagon. Lots of complaints about the weight and negative comparisons with the M5 and RS6 wagons, although they ultimately acknowledge that the E53 costs tens of thousands less.
I wish they had done one of their cargo tests so there would be a direct comparison with their test of the E450 wagon. It would be interesting to see the practical impact of the cargo space that’s lost to the battery.
I wish they had done one of their cargo tests so there would be a direct comparison with their test of the E450 wagon. It would be interesting to see the practical impact of the cargo space that’s lost to the battery.
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2025 911 4GTS, 2025 Macan 4s, 2026 E53 Estate
i’ve realized real automotive journalism is now done more by the podcasters / youtubers, or the higher cost magazines now (or in other countries). a lot of what is posted by the former US automotive media is online advertising driven (possibly AI slop as you mention).
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Edmunds recently posted their test of the E53 wagon. Lots of complaints about the weight and negative comparisons with the M5 and RS6 wagons, although they ultimately acknowledge that the E53 costs tens of thousands less.
I wish they had done one of their cargo tests so there would be a direct comparison with their test of the E450 wagon. It would be interesting to see the practical impact of the cargo space that’s lost to the battery.
I wish they had done one of their cargo tests so there would be a direct comparison with their test of the E450 wagon. It would be interesting to see the practical impact of the cargo space that’s lost to the battery.
The cargo space reduction is pretty straightforward: The floor is ~3 inches taller and there is no access underneath it, otherwise it's the same.
Last edited by Alan Smithee; Feb 25, 2026 at 03:08 PM.
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Lots of complaints about the weight and negative comparisons with the M5 and RS6? That wasn't my takeaway...I thought it was a fair review.
The cargo space reduction is pretty straightforward: The floor is ~3 inches taller and there is no access underneath it, otherwise it's the same.
The cargo space reduction is pretty straightforward: The floor is ~3 inches taller and there is no access underneath it, otherwise it's the same.
And yep, the cargo thing isn’t any great mystery. But I find the Edmunds tests interesting because they use a consistent set of luggage to get at real-world usability (which doesn’t necessarily track manufacturers’ raw volume figures).
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In the Edmunds test of the E53 Wagon, the author says, "Despite being a station wagon built for daily use, the E 53's ride is punishingly firm. On the street, minor road imperfections lead to loud vibrations in the cabin, as this car doesn't soak up bumps so much as crash over them. On track, there are benefits given how stable the E 53 is at higher speeds, as well as how little its body rolls in the bends. However, I don't feel a significant difference between the softest and the firmest suspension settings."
I find the comfort suspension setting near perfect and the sport plus setting jarring on public roads. I have the 20" all-seasons so they may make a difference. Still, I find it strange that the author didn't notice a difference between the softest and firmest suspension settings. It is pronounced.
I find the comfort suspension setting near perfect and the sport plus setting jarring on public roads. I have the 20" all-seasons so they may make a difference. Still, I find it strange that the author didn't notice a difference between the softest and firmest suspension settings. It is pronounced.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2025
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From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
In the Edmunds test of the E53 Wagon, the author says, "Despite being a station wagon built for daily use, the E 53's ride is punishingly firm. On the street, minor road imperfections lead to loud vibrations in the cabin, as this car doesn't soak up bumps so much as crash over them. On track, there are benefits given how stable the E 53 is at higher speeds, as well as how little its body rolls in the bends. However, I don't feel a significant difference between the softest and the firmest suspension settings."
I find the comfort suspension setting near perfect and the sport plus setting jarring on public roads. I have the 20" all-seasons so they may make a difference. Still, I find it strange that the author didn't notice a difference between the softest and firmest suspension settings. It is pronounced.
I find the comfort suspension setting near perfect and the sport plus setting jarring on public roads. I have the 20" all-seasons so they may make a difference. Still, I find it strange that the author didn't notice a difference between the softest and firmest suspension settings. It is pronounced.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 397
In the Edmunds test of the E53 Wagon, the author says, "Despite being a station wagon built for daily use, the E 53's ride is punishingly firm. On the street, minor road imperfections lead to loud vibrations in the cabin, as this car doesn't soak up bumps so much as crash over them. On track, there are benefits given how stable the E 53 is at higher speeds, as well as how little its body rolls in the bends. However, I don't feel a significant difference between the softest and the firmest suspension settings."
I find the comfort suspension setting near perfect and the sport plus setting jarring on public roads. I have the 20" all-seasons so they may make a difference. Still, I find it strange that the author didn't notice a difference between the softest and firmest suspension settings. It is pronounced.
I find the comfort suspension setting near perfect and the sport plus setting jarring on public roads. I have the 20" all-seasons so they may make a difference. Still, I find it strange that the author didn't notice a difference between the softest and firmest suspension settings. It is pronounced.
I don't notice much difference in ride or steering between C and S either. Haven't bothered with S+ as there is no point IMO...in fact I've deleted it from the scroll wheel. I think C is great.
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2026 Mercedes Benz GLC 350e, 2026 AMG E53 Wagon
For me, coming from an Audi SQ5, I am looking for comfort (and a bit of luxury), performance, and utility in a car format. Never fully adjusted to the SUV and found the SQ5 - while an excellent car - a bit boring.
For fun, I have motorcycles and a 997.2 Porsche C4S manual to rely on.
So, now I wait for delivery of the AMG E53 Wagon - slated for June - to confirm if I made the right call!
For fun, I have motorcycles and a 997.2 Porsche C4S manual to rely on.
So, now I wait for delivery of the AMG E53 Wagon - slated for June - to confirm if I made the right call!
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 420
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From: Austin, TX / Munich, DE
E 53 Wagon
For me, coming from an Audi SQ5, I am looking for comfort (and a bit of luxury), performance, and utility in a car format. Never fully adjusted to the SUV and found the SQ5 - while an excellent car - a bit boring.
For fun, I have motorcycles and a 997.2 Porsche C4S manual to rely on.
So, now I wait for delivery of the AMG E53 Wagon - slated for June - to confirm if I made the right call!
For fun, I have motorcycles and a 997.2 Porsche C4S manual to rely on.
So, now I wait for delivery of the AMG E53 Wagon - slated for June - to confirm if I made the right call!
