Media | Articles
At Last, an AMG Wagon Is Returning to the U.S.
No one was surprised last spring when Mercedes-AMG announced that, of its 2025 E53 sedan and wagon duo, the United States would only get the sedan. Europe may be obsessed with the station wagon, but over here, our default choice for “performance plus function” is an SUV, which Mercedes sells us, in regular and AMG flavors, by the tens of thousands. Someone must have made a lot of noise, however, because guess what’s coming later this year: The 2026 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid Wagon. And, earlier today, Mercedes also announced that it won’t be raising prices in response to the tariffs (for now).
What is this, Christmas in April?
Mercedes hasn’t yet revealed everything—the short, three-page release doesn’t include price, the EPA-rated electric range, or a full list of interior and exterior colors. (Or multi-page descriptions of the engine, transmission, suspension, and hybrid systems. Mercedes typically elaborates upon these with all the pride of a loving parent). But here’s what we do know.
We get the same wagon as Europe does. A familiar 3.0-liter inline-six sits up front, supplemented by a turbocharger. The Borg-Warner-designed hybrid setup is a bit different than what you’ll see in other applications of this engine: Rather than serving as a starter-generator, the electric motor is integrated into the nine-speed automatic transmission. (BW calls this a P2 configuration; P1 means the motor is connected to or after the engine, P3 means it’s in between the transmission and the differential. More deliciously nerdy details here.) Power is the same on either side of the pond: 443 hp from the engine, another 161 from the motor, for a total of 577—or 604, in short bursts. Total torque 553 lb-ft. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph unless you purchase the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package (caps-lock from Mercedes) to raise it to 174 mph.
The way the hybrid system is integrated into the driveline means you can actually use it as a short-range EV. A wet disconnect clutch in the hybrid module disconnects the gas engine and leaves the electric motor in charge. The battery, placed under the trunk floor, has a usable capacity of 21.2 kWh to enable a decent range of gas-less driving: The EPA figure isn’t out yet, but the European version gets a little over 60 miles. Top speed, with the engine disconnected, is 87 mph.
Other standard goodies include standard rear-axle steering and adaptive suspension (both optional on the E-Class sedan). If you choose the emphatically named AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package, you’ll also get active engine mounts (we’d love to know more here, since inline-sixes are inherently very balanced), an electronically controlled limited-slip diff, and a high-performance brake system with 15.4-inch front discs and red-painted calipers.
The 2026 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid Wagon joins the 2025 E 450 4Matic All-Terrain in Mercedes’ U.S. portfolio. The All-Terrain carries an MSRP of $76,100, and the 2025 E 53 Hybrid Sedan starts at $88K, so we’d guesstimate that AMG’s E-Class wagon will start in the low 90s.
Mercedes has kept our heads spinning when it comes to nomenclature, but with the E 53 wagon, AMG seems to have returned to its senses. Unlike the four-cylinder C63 AMG, which should have had eight cylinders, this “53” has the appropriate engine, an inline-six. And, for a certain dedicated crowd, the right number of doors.
Find more values
Search for prices of other cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles
Wow Mercedes one upped BMW for once I might consider leasing the new E53 wagon
Wrong car for this market. Way prefer a C53. As I travel the globe for business, I see this wonderful MB C series wagon! Mid-size, lighter, and IMHO a bit more attractive. Should be more accessible to the public as these E series wagons are just too much of everything.
I have to wonder who makes these decisions of what model per market? Appears to be the dealers not the buyers – shame on MB and all the auto manufactures who do not create the machine for drivers. I get the volume is low; therefore place the highest market price machine. Pickle for sure. In the End –> Make great product at the proper price – the money just appears with that strategy.
This article mentioned that in the U.S.A the SUV sells much better than a wagon. The basic MB wagon is not in demand, except by the few like yourself. HOWEVER an AMG wagon will sell to folks who will pay for a high performance wagon that has a profit margin making lower sales numbers worth it. Simple math.
That said the goofy tariff circus may change that.
holy schnike. Now to see a comparison against the RS-6 Avant… Where’s Jason Cammisa (sp)?
How much will this thing weigh? Will it be the same/similar to the CUV version of this?
Love it! More please…I still think the Audi Avant RS6 has the Merc beat in the looks department, I’ll take any hi-po wagon coming this way…that is unless the tariffs make it’s already lofty price tag even loftier.