The Mercedes-AMG E53 Is the Cheapest Performance Wagon In America
Performance wagons are having something of a moment, and Mercedes, which sold fast wagons in the States years before Audi and BMW, is getting back in the game with its plug-in hybrid E53 Wagon. Today, Mercedes confirmed pricing for the E53 Wagon, which will start at $94,500 when it arrives at dealers in the fall.
Astoundingly, this makes the E53 the most affordable performance wagon available in the US. Volvo discontinued the V60 Polestar Engineered, while the BMW M5 Touring costs $127,675 and the Audi RS6 Avant Performance costs $132,995. There’s also the Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, which starts at $118,350.
The Mercedes is something of a step down in performance compared to the RS6 and M5, with 604 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque from its plug-in, all-wheel drive powertrain. AMG combines a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six with the brand’s unique, rear-mounted hybrid unit. The engine makes a maximum of 443 hp, while the motor adds a further 161 hp.
Note that the full 604 hp is only available when using AMG’s Race Start launch-control function, which you only get access to with the optional AMG Dynamics Plus package. Normally, you “just” have 577 hp.
| Model | Engine | Output | Price |
| Audi RS6 Performance | 4.0-Liter Twin-Turbo V-8 | 621 hp / 627 lb-ft | $132,995 |
| BMW M5 Touring | 4.4-Liter Twin-Turbo V-8 Plus Electric Motor | 717 hp / 738 lb-ft | $127,675 |
| Mercedes-AMG E53 Wagon | 3.0-Liter Turbo Inline-Six Plus Electric Motor | 577 hp (604 hp with AMG Dynamics Plus Package) / 553 lb-ft | $94,050 |
Even though it’s not a full-fat AMG model, the E53 isn’t far off the power and performance of the RS6, M5, and Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, while undercutting all on price. In base form, Mercedes claims a 0-60 mile-per-hour time of 4.0 seconds and a 155-mph top speed; with the optional AMG Dynamics Plus package, 0-60 drops to 3.8 seconds, while top speed rises to 174 mph.
Mercedes hasn’t released pricing for the Dynamics Plus package, but on the 2025 E53 Sedan, it’s a $3,150 option. In addition to the boosted performance, it also brings larger front brakes and an electronically controlled rear limited-slip differential. So, it’s worth the money. For 2026, the E53 sedan costs $90,750, so going for the wagon is a $3,750 upcharge—again, worth it in our eyes.
All that said, it’s sad that the cheapest performance wagon in America is only just under $100,000. The E53 may undercut the competition, but it’s not cheap.
