Mercedes has announced a number of updates
to their lineup in the United States for the 2021 model year. Starting with the
entry-level A-Class Sedan, the model gains Blind Spot Assist and new 18-inch
bi-color wheels. MBUX Interior Assistant also becomes a new standalone option.
Unsurprisingly, the changes to the CLA echo those to the A-Class as the model
gains Blind Spot Assist, an ambient lighting system, and MBUX Interior Assist
as a standalone option.
The C-Class Sedan largely carries over,
but there’s a new Night Edition. It features a blackout appearance thanks to a
black grille, black window surrounds and black mirrors – among other things.
The special edition also has an AMG Line steering wheel and exclusive AMG sport
seats with two-tone stitching. Furthermore, the model gains a newly standard
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and heated front seats. The C63 goes a
step further as it now sports a standard panoramic glass roof and an expanded
color palette. The C-Class Coupe and Convertible are largely unchanged, but
they also come standard with a digital instrument cluster for 2021.
The 2021 CLS gains new exterior colors as
well as newly available 20-inch wheels. Bigger changes occur inside the cabin
as there’s a newly standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an updated
infotainment system with “Hey Mercedes” voice control technology. The model
also has a revised Premium package as well as several new tech features
including a dashcam, MBUX Interior Assistant and MBUX Augmented Video for
Navigation. The CLS 53 features many of the same updates and gains additional
standard equipment including Surround View and a power rear sunshade.
The E-Class lineup received a facelift for
2021 and you can read more about the changes to the sedan, coupe / convertible
and AMG variants by clicking on the links. That being said, Mercedes is
dropping the standard E-Class Wagon and replacing it with the more rugged
E-Class All-Terrain. However, fans can still get the E 63 S Wagon. On the
crossover side of things, the GLA lineup is all-new for 2021 and actually looks
like a crossover rather than a hatchback in a high chair. The standard model
has 221 hp, while the AMG variants boast 302 hp and 382 hp.
One step up is the GLB which gains a
standard Blind Spot Assist system. It’s being joined by an all-new GLB 35 which
shares its 302 hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
with the GLA 35. The EQC, which saw its U.S. launch delayed, is now scheduled
to arrive in 2021. However, the company won’t release details quite yet. The
GLC and GLC Coupe now come standard with Parking Pilot and a Surround View
system. There’s also a new Cirrus Silver exterior as well as a handful of new
standalone options including a dashcam, parking damage detection and hands-free
access. Likewise, the AMG variants gain Parktronic with Active Parking Assist.
The 2021 GLE gains new standard equipment
including an ambient lighting system, a wireless smartphone charger, SiriusXM
satellite radio and parking damage detection. However, the big news is the
addition of the GLE 53 and GLE 63 S. The GLE 53 and GLE 53 Coupe have a
turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 429 hp. Likewise, GLE 63 S and GLE 63 S Coupe have a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that
pumps out 603 hp. Both
also have an EQ Boost function. The GLS becomes more luxurious for 2021 as it
now comes standard with ventilated front seats and a four-zone climate control
system. Other newly standard features include 20-inch wheels and parking damage
detection.
However, the big news is the GLS 63 and
Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC. The former is a high-performance variant, while the
latter is a 550 hp luxury model which offers a four-seat
interior with executive rear seats, folding rear tables and a 7-inch tablet for
controlling various comfort and entertainment features. The G-Class gains newly
available 20-inch wheels and new G manufaktur options including 34 exterior
colors and 54 interior upholsteries. The AMG variant also receives a wireless
smartphone charger as well as an optional “AMG Night Package Magno.”
On the sporty side of things, there isn’t
much to report as the SLC is dead and SL is taking a temporary hiatus until the
redesigned model arrives. 2021 is also the last year for the S-Class Coupe and
Convertible, while updates for the AMG GT will be announced at a later date.
Lastly, the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe gains an entry-level GT 43 variant. It features
all-wheel drive as well as turbocharged 3.0-liter engine that produces 362 hp and 498 Nm of torque. The model also has an EQ
Boost system that adds up to 21 hp and 249 Nm.