Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 Cabriolet (2016-2020) Review and Prices

The Mercedes AMG E53 Cabriolet is one of the prettiest luxury convertibles on sale – both inside and out – and packs a hefty performance punch from its 435hp six-cylinder engine. If a drop-top isn’t your thing, you can also get it as a four-door saloon, a sleek coupe and a very practical estate.

Unlike the E-Class saloon and estate, you can’t get this soft top as a double-espresso E63 model. As a result, this E53 version is the most strongly caffeinated E-Class Cabriolet you can buy.

Its eye-catching cabin still has the BMW 8 Series Convertible’s interior well and truly licked in the style stakes, though. It comes with a plethora of plush-feeling trims and – unlike the standard E-Class Cabriolet – gets real leather seats. Also standard are bright red contrasting details on the dashboard and on the sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Equally attention-grabbing are the Mercedes AMG E53 Cabriolet’s two giant 12.3-inch infotainment screens. Together, these form a huge widescreen display that replaces conventional analogue dials and makes the cabriolet’s interior look a cut above what you’ll find in most alternatives.

You also get electrically adjustable seats with four-way lumbar support as standard, so you’ll have no trouble getting comfortable. Space in the back is nowhere near as generous, however, but there’s still enough headroom for six-feet-tall passengers to get comfy in the two back seats with the roof up – just.

Like the saloon, the Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet comes with two sets of Isofix anchor points in the back, but lifting a large child seat in through the door will take a fair amount of patience and some careful manoeuvring – especially with the roof up.

It’s a similar story when you’re loading the boot. The Mercedes AMG E53’s load bay isn’t particularly wide and the tall boot lip makes it tricky to load heavy or bulky items.

If the standard E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t quite have the pace to rearrange your hairstyle, then the faster AMG-tuned E53 is only too happy to oblige

You probably won’t be packing the Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet up with lots of luggage very regularly – more likely you’ll be cruising along with the top down. In which case, you’ll appreciate the fact it comes with air suspension and a nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

Sure, even with the suspension in its sportiest setting, the Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet isn’t the most agile high-performance soft-top around. But, it feels more than nimble enough to carve through sweeping corners on a winding backroad.

Its standard four-wheel-drive system means there’s plenty of grip in slippery conditions too, and the E53 Cabriolet’s 3.0-litre 435hp six-cylinder engine has enough grunt to blast you from 0-60mph in less than 4.5 seconds and on to a 155mph top speed.

You can, however, have this limit bumped up to 168mph as part of the optional AMG Driver’s Pack to really mess up your hair-do. Unless you regularly find yourself storming down a German Autobahn, however, this is probably an expense you can do without.

Thankfully, you don’t have to pay extra for cruise control or automatic emergency braking – these come as standard and help make the Mercedes AMG E53 Cabriolet a very safe luxury convertible.

The Mercedes AMG E53 Cabriolet is certainly worthy of a spot on your shortlist – especially if you rank style and comfort just as highly as outright speed.

See how much you can save on your next car by visiting out Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet deals page, or read our reviews of the E53 Saloon, E53 Coupe and E53 Estate.