Road Test: 2025 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid

Draped in MANUFAKTUR Opalite White Magno, our test car exudes understated menace. Subtle carbon fibre details, Edition 1 badging, and 21-inch AMG cross-spoke forged wheels complete the look. It’s muscular without shouting; a design philosophy that feels deliberate, mature, and deeply confident.

Inside, AMG Nappa leather with yellow contrast stitching and matching seatbelts brings both style and purpose. The cabin glows with customizable Active Ambient Lighting and the immersive MBUX Superscreen, which stretches across the dash like an art installation in motion. The passenger display can even play video content while the driver enjoys AMG’s 4D Burmester sound system, complete with seat vibrations that sync to the bassline.

Performance: Electrified Precision

The AMG-enhanced 3.0L inline-six turbo works in harmony with a P2 hybrid system, powered by a 28.6 kWh battery. The result is instantaneous torque and an addictive surge of power on demand. With AMG’s 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system and AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission, every launch feels smooth yet ferocious.

Even when dialed back to Comfort mode, there’s a quiet brilliance to the way it balances ride composure and control. Switch to Sport+ and the E 53 sheds its restraint, transforming into a precision tool eager to devour corners. The hybrid system’s extra weight disappears beneath expert tuning, and braking feel remains firm despite the regenerative setup.

Technology and Comfort

From the ENERGIZING Package Plus to ventilated multicenter seats, the E 53 pampers as much as it performs. Long drives become wellness sessions, complete with customizable seat kinetics, cabin scents, and ambient lighting themes.

Charging is painless; up to 9.6 kW on AC for a 2.25-hour recharge, or 20 minutes to 80 percent via 60 kW DC fast charging. In everyday driving, the hybrid system’s transitions between electric and gas power are nearly seamless.

Behind The Wheel – Niagara Region

Early morning mist clings to the Niagara Parkway as the E 53 glides silently out of town in electric mode. Vineyards blur past, and the hum of the electric motor fades into the whisper of wind. Then, with a tap of the right paddle, the AMG wakes up, growling to life as the twin-scroll turbo and hybrid motor combine for a surge of controlled aggression.

Few cars feel so adaptable. One moment, it’s a serene cruiser rolling through wine country. The next, it’s carving through the escarpment roads near Queenston Heights with the precision of a sports coupe. Every bend, every throttle squeeze, every perfectly timed shift reminds you that AMG still builds emotion into every equation.

Verdict

The 2025 Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Sedan isn’t just a new chapter; it’s a new formula. Equal parts efficiency and excitement, luxury and performance, it bridges the combustion past and electrified future with remarkable finesse.

It’s an AMG you can enjoy every day, and one that proves the thrill of driving is alive and well, even in the hybrid era.

2025 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid
Price as tested: $136,500 (before fees and taxes)
Engine: AMG-enhanced 3.0L Inline-6 Turbo + P2 Hybrid
Power: 577 hp (604 hp w/ RACE START)
Torque: 553 lb-ft
Transmission: AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G automatic
Drivetrain: 4MATIC+ All-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h: 4.0 seconds (3.8 w/ RACE START)
Top Speed: 250 km/h
Electric Range: 69 km (28.6 kWh battery)
Fuel Economy: 11.2 city / 9.0 highway / 10.2 combined
DC Charging: 60 kW / 20 min (0–80%)
Website: Mercedes-Benz Canada