The topsy-turvy, on-again, off-again world of EV and hybrid integration has produced its share of duds. But in one of the more striking examples of high-performance luxury motoring, swapping a big V-8 for a hybrid powertrain turns out to be anything but a dealbreaker.
Rather than being softened by electrification, the 2027 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Wagon, the successor to the legendary and comfortably brutal E63 wagon, has even more get-up-and-go than the model it replaces. That’s despite a base engine that’s now a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six.
Pair it with a 161-horsepower electric motor and 28.6-kWh battery, and blammo: You’ve still got 577 horsepower, or a peak of 604 with the optional Race Start package, which is certainly recommended. The result is a sleek, smooth, and subtly imposing machine that’s even more of a velvet hammer than before. It may lack some of the previous model’s authentically throaty exhaust note, but it remains an aural delight.
The hybrid system doesn’t exactly move this big wagon into Prius territory. It’s rated at an optimistic 22 mpg combined, if you forget your racing shoes. But it does add about 41 miles of blissfully silent all-electric driving, even at highway speeds. Active rear-axle steering also helps make the E53 feel remarkably precise, with handling that remains solid and responsive.
Solid might also describe the optional performance seats. They’ll keep you firmly planted during high-energy outings but may feel a little hard-edged for everyday driving. Around them, the cabin has grown increasingly luxurious, with 3D elements incorporated into the expansive Superscreen displays and an AI assistant that can even offer unsolicited advice after listening to in-car conversations.
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