A preview of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is halfway through its life cycle, and in keeping with Mercedes tradition, the sedan, coupe and station wagon lines are undergoing updates to keep them attractive and fresh against new competitors.

So far, Mercedes has only revealed details on the updated E-Class sedan, the extended-range station wagon and the Mercedes-AMG E53 sport sedan, but details on other models, including two-door cars and the E63 high-performance sedan, should emerge before sales begin later this year. The updated E-Class will go on sale in 2021, and yes, this time the all-roader will be available in the U.S. as well.

The design changes are extensive for a mid-cycle refresh and include new headlights, taillights, redesigned front and rear masks and a more pronounced grille. The Mercedes will also come standard with an AMG sports kit and 18-inch wheels. The new look should help distinguish the more compact C-Class and E-Class models, which are currently easily confused with their more expensive counterparts.

There are also a number of technical upgrades, including a large 12.3-inch touchscreen that works like a smartphone or tablet. The infotainment system also features voice control with natural speech and the ability to recognize certain gestures. A new steering wheel with touch sensors also provides the driver with new control options, while a second 12.3-inch screen acts as a digital instrument cluster.

Mercedes also offers the latest electronic driver assistance features. One of these is enhanced adaptive cruise control. This system, using up-to-the-minute traffic information, recognizes and reacts to increased traffic on the highway long before the driver is aware of the situation. When anticipatory traffic is detected and the driver fails to act, the system automatically reduces vehicle speed to 62 mph.

The Brake Assist system also integrates an intersection warning feature. This means that if there is a risk of collision with oncoming traffic when turning, the system can automatically apply the brakes. In addition, the surround-view camera system has been updated, which now shows the entire side view of the vehicle. This makes it easier to drive near parallel objects such as curbs and garage walls.

In the powertrain segment, new engines have also been introduced, and a plug-in hybrid model is available for the first time in the United States. The lineup starts with the E350, which was added for 2020, and its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine still makes 255 hp. Above that is the new E350e plug-in hybrid, which combines the 2.0-liter engine of the regular E350 with a 121-hp electric motor for a total of 315 hp. The plug-in hybrid is also only offered in rear-wheel drive, while other models in the E-Class family have all-wheel drive as standard or available.

Further down the performance hierarchy, the E450 features a new 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid setup instead of the V6. Output is 362 hp; an upgraded version of this powertrain is available for the Mercedes-AMG E53 added in 2019; the AMG setup also includes an electric compressor and develops up to 429 hp.

The AMG E63 will remain the top-of-the-line model, and its engine will remain a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8. Maximum power may exceed the 603 hp of the current model in the E63 S configuration.

Prices will be announced closer to the start of sales.

For more information on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, see Car Connection's in-depth review.