Mercedes haven’t always pulled out all the stops when it came to updating the same generation of E-Class models. From the W124 to the W210 and W211, visual changes were minimal as the German carmaker focused mostly on the technical side.

However, all that changed with the previous-gen W212 model, which lost its quad-headlight design in favor of something a little more traditional come upgrade season.

That same philosophy was applied to the current W213 generation model, which now features Mercedes’ so-called “Sensual Purity” design language, boasting brand new front and rear ends – even though you’ll be more hard pressed to notice the former.

Read Also: Mercedes-Benz Gives 2021 E-Class A Face And Tail Lift Along With New Straight-Six

At the front, there are new headlights, a new bumper and a new (wider) grille, giving the 2021 facelifted E-Class a somewhat sportier appearance since everything now looks a little more tightly packed in. The headlight graphics are also different, appearing similar to those found on other new-gen Mercedes sedans, such as the latest CLA and CLS.

However, we wouldn’t be surprised if many of you found the rear end a little controversial. Not in the sense that it’s bad looking, but more so that the new taillights clearly interrupt the car’s “design flow” from the pillars downwards.

The old somewhat triangular taillights blended in perfectly with all the creases and downward slopes at the back, whereas these new horizontal ones – well, perhaps not so much? Visually, they look like a mix between the CLA and CLS’s taillights, and we already know to expect something similar on the upcoming all-new S-Class.

Other exterior changes include new paint colors and an expanded wheel range. Make no mistake though, as far as facelifts go, this is a pretty major one. It’s not every day you see the same generation car adopt totally different styling on both ends.

No complaints inside

One thing Mercedes was clearly not going to mess up was the interior, as the 2021 E-Class was fitted with the latest generation MBUX infotainment system, revised instrument panel graphics, so-called ‘energizing seat kinetics’ and a PowerNap program for PHEV models.

However, what really caught our eye are the two completely new steering wheel designs, one of which even comes with a two-zone control area, that are pretty intricate, and stylish. You can have your steering wheel either in all-leather, wood-leather or in the flat-bottom ‘supersport’ combo. Meanwhile, Artico and Nappa leather can be used on the seats, door panels and other surfaces throughout the cabin.

All that, together with additional contrast stitching for the upper dashboard pretty much means that you’ll need to really dig deep if you’re trying to argue in favor of the older E-Class instead of the updated one.

Fighting off Audi and BMW

The ultimate goal for Mercedes wasn’t necessarily to one-up the current E-Class in as many ways as possible, but rather to give the 2021 updated version more weapons to use against BMW’s seventh-gen G30 5-Series and Audi’s A6 C8, which technically is the newest car here.

With that in mind, the 2021 E-Class will be available with no fewer than seven plug-in hybrid powertrain configurations (depending on the market), to go with all the gasoline and diesel options. Also, mild-hybrid is the key word here, with the addition of the M254 four-cylinder gasoline unit with integrated starter-generator (ISG) and 48-volt electrical system, as well as the new M256 3.0-liter inline-six engine with ISG – an E-Class first.

Pricing and availability

While we don’t yet know if the updated 2021 E-Class will be more expensive to purchase than its predecessor, we do know that Mercedes is planning on launching the model in the second half of this year, with European dealerships getting their hands on cars starting this summer.

U.S. buyers can look forward to ordering either the E350, E350e plug-in hybrid, E450 4Matic or the AMG E53. Sales will kick off in late 2020.

Should I trade in my current E-Class?

That’s kind of a tricky question. Unless you’re a huge fan of Mercedes’ latest design language (or up for your next lease), the benefits of trading in your W213 for a different-looking version won’t be as plentiful as the ones you’d get if you’d be trading in an older W212 model.

Yet, if you just want to buy your first W213 E-Class, then waiting for order books to open on the facelifted model is a great idea, as you’d be getting an overall better car than the one currently on sale.