German Performance Wagon . I love wagons, and you’ve probably heard that before from my past articles that are related to wagons. Thankfully, I currently even own one, thanks to how practical they are, whilst still maintaining the low height and agility of a sedan. Subjectively, at least, they also look amazing, especially with their long roof and low height, which helps give wagons a dynamic stance. German automakers dominate the wagon market by a significant margin. Today, your only wagon choices are from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, which makes all these vehicles particularly expensive.
Some have garnered more attention than others, and that includes this underrated German performance wagon. Usually, when you dream about a German performance wagon, you’ll probably think of the Audi RS6 or the BMW M5 Touring, but there’s a performance wagon from Mercedes-Benz that also deserves your attention. Why is it that this Mercedes-Benz wagon is flying under the radar? Let’s find out.
Wagon Dreams: The AMG E53 Hybrid Way
Think of performance wagons, and the last thing on your mind is probably the 2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid. It is a beautifully styled wagon with all the qualities you expect from a performance luxury wagon, and then some.
German Performance Wagon
Plug-In Hybrid Performance
Mercedes-AMG makes awesome plug-in hybrids, at least from a performance standpoint. That’s because not everything they make is universally praised. For instance, the C63 S E Performance with its 2.0-liter electrically turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid system didn’t win a lot of hearts, even if its 671-horsepower system output is way more than the V-8 model it replaced.
2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Specs
| Engine | 3.0-liter electrically-turbocharged straight-six plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission | 9-speed A/T |
| Horsepower | 577 hp (604 hp in Race Start) |
| Torque | 553 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Battery Capacity | 21.2 kWh (usable) |
| Electric Range | 41 miles (EPA) |
| Max AC Charging | 9.6 kW |
| 0-60 MPH | 4.0 sec. |
| Top Speed | 155 mph (174 mph with AMG Dynamic Plus) |
In the case of the E53 Hybrid, its 3.0-liter electrically-turbocharged straight-six plug-in hybrid system, whose total output is 604 horsepower with the Race Start launch control, definitely has more charisma than the 671-horsepower four-cylinder fitted into the C3 S E Performance. In hindsight, the E53 Hybrid’s power output already matches the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 of the previous E63 S. It also comes with an impressive pure electric range of 41 miles according to the EPA, along with a combined energy efficiency (gasoline plus electric) of 56 MPGe. All of these complexities also result in a 0–60 MPH time of just four seconds to accompany that inline-six smoothness.
Why The E53 Hybrid Was Better Received
Unlike the C63 S E Performance, which replaced a model that was known for a lot of drama because of its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, the E53 Hybrid is replacing a model that came with a 3.0-liter electronically-turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Therefore, it does not carry a reputational baggage, wherein it needed to have a V-8. The E53 is also positioned as less aggressive and less raucous than the E63, so by going the plug-in hybrid route, it also didn’t receive any flak from the automotive community. Lastly, more cylinders simply mean more character. An inline-six will almost always sound nicer than a four-cylinder, and that is also the case with a V-8 versus an inline-six.
The Luxury Wagon That Proves Practicality Can Be Fun
Move aside luxury SUVs; this 2025 Audi luxury performance wagon proves you can have practicality and performance grit in one package.
The Hardware That Makes The E53 Hybrid Tick
Mercedes-AMG is filled with engineers dedicated to making luxury cars feel like sports cars. Thankfully, they’ve achieved their goals with the E53 Hybrid, offering a seamless blend of performance and comfort in a beautifully styled wagon package.
A Canyon Carver, But At A Price
The 2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid isn’t just fast in a straight line. Of course, this car corners extremely well, too. The 2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 comes with the AMG Ride Control adaptive steel spring suspension, which now comes with two valves (separate valves for compression and rebound) that allow for greater variability. The chassis also comes with enhanced stiffness, while the electromechanical brake system allows a natural brake feel when the system transitions from hydraulic to regenerative braking.
The E53 Hybrid isn’t a petite vehicle, so thankfully, there’s also rear-axle steering that increases agility at low speeds and then improves stability at higher speeds. Oh, that 604-horsepower system output? That’s only possible with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package. By default, the E53 Hybrid produces 577 horsepower, but the AMG Dynamic Plus package’s Race Start launch control is the reason for the 604-horsepower peak output. The package also adds dynamic engine mounts and an electronically-controlled rear axle locking differential that allows for better corner-exiting traction.
Subtly Sportier Looks
Part of the appeal of owning a Mercedes-AMG is its sportier design, but since this is not yet the E63 we’ve been waiting for, the E53 Hybrid still has a strong sense of elegance. The 2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 comes with sportier front bumpers, an illuminated AMG-specific grille with vertical slats, and a body that’s subtly wider compared to the standard E-Class. Sitting inside its wider fenders are 20-inch wheels as standard, but they can be upgraded to 21-inch forged wheels. An optional AMG Night Package or AMG Night Package Plus removes the chrome exterior trims, while the AMG Carbon Exterior Package adds a dose of carbon fiber exterior parts (such as the mirror caps and lip spoiler). If you want the cool Digital Light adaptive matrix LED lights, you’ll have to opt for the Exclusive Trim for $2,450 or the Pinnacle Trim for $4,150.
As for the interior, the design is largely similar to the E-Class, which means that you get a well-trimmed and luxurious interior design. The MBUX infotainment is offered as standard, while as an optional extra for $1,500, the MBUX Superscreen transforms your dash into a massive gloss black panel that also integrates a 12.3-inch front passenger display. Honestly, it’s an optional extra I’d skip, since I’ve already reached screen fatigue at this point. Besides, it would be a shame if that nicer expanse of wood or aluminum panel were swapped out for a boring gloss black surface. Lastly, the E53 Hybrid’s interior also gets AMG-specific design flourishes, such as AMG sports seats (upgradable to AMG Performance Seats) upholstered in Artico synthetic leather and microcut microfiber, and an AMG steering wrapped in Nappa Leather.
Speed And Practicality: The Fastest Wagons Of The Last Decade
The fast wagon niche promises excellent practicality with the kind of power and fun that you’d normally expect from a sports sedan or sports car.
The AMG E63 Is Still MIA
Unfortunately, while the E53 Hybrid has already been on the global market since 2025, the E63 is still missing in action. When is it coming, and is there another alternative within Mercedes-Benz for an E63?
The V-8’s Future Is Secured
For those waiting for an E63, well, you’ll have to be a lot more patient. Though Mercedes-AMG never confirmed that a new E63 was on its way, its fate was never sealed, either. What we do know is that the V-8 engine’s future is secured in the foreseeable future. Former Mercedes-AMG CEO Michael Scheibe said earlier in 2025 that the V-8 will still be around, despite ongoing efforts with their high-performance EV development. He even said that they are also developing a new V-8, which will see increased utilization in the coming years, commenting:
We are in the midst of developing our next generation of the V-8, and I see a lot of positions within our existing portfolio, or maybe even new ones, where we could actually imagine to have a V-8.
The next vehicle in Mercedes-AMG’s portfolio to receive a V-8 would be the rumored CLE 63, which, based on spy shots from our sister site CarBuzz, has numerous visual clues supporting the presence of a V-8 under its hood. Rumors also suggest that it’s at most a mild hybrid setup, not a heavy plug-in hybrid system. It would be interesting to see what its power output is, considering that the four-cylinder C63 S E Performance produces 671 horsepower, and buyers probably won’t be happy with the top-dog V-8 being anything less.
For Now, Brabus Has You Covered
Can’t wait any longer to satisfy your wagon cravings from Mercedes-AMG? Well, tuning brand Brabus may have a solution for you. Called the Brabus 700, this is basically an AMG E53 that received an ECU tune, which introduces Brabus-specific engine mapping and increased turbo boost pressure. As a result, output is raised from 604 to 690 horsepower.
As expected, Brabus didn’t just fiddle with the drivetrain. To really get the message across, there’s a Brabus 700 emblem at the rear, along with tons of carbon fiber exterior parts, plus a choice of various 21-inch wheel designs. There are also height-adjustable sports springs, which can raise or lower the ride height by 0.59 to 1.18 inches.