Wagons have never really caught on in the U.S., in part because of the old stereotype of the station wagons that people drove back in the 1960s and 70s. But the Mercedes-Benz E-class wagon is nothing like the one your parents or grandparents drove.
Base Price: $74,700
As Tested: $83,610
Horsepower: 375
Mileage: 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway/25 mpg combined
Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, and Volvo all offer luxury wagons. Then, of course, there’s the mainstream Subaru Outback. Some wagons are extremely luxurious, while others are practical and ready for off-road adventures.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain wagon is definitely luxurious, with the refined handling and opulent cabin you expect in the E-Class.
It was redesigned for the 2024 model year with exterior and interior tweaks. It’s a bit longer and wider with a little more ground clearance; however, despite its “All-Terrain” name, it’s not meant for rugged off-roading. Rather, the seven inches of ground clearance make it suitable for driving into ski areas and campgrounds and navigating dirt and gravel roads.
The All-Terrain also gets a new mild hybrid inline-six engine. The cabin gets some tech upgrades including a new dashboard Mercedes calls ”Superscreen” with as many as three displays – one for the driver, a touchscreen in the center, and another touchscreen for the front passenger. Another tech addition is the ability to use your iPhone or Apple Watch as the All-Terrain’s key.
It comes in just one trim in the U.S., the E-450. Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic all-wheel drive is standard. There’s room for five passengers in two rows of seating.
The All-Terrain has a 48-volt hybrid system with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine and an electric motor. Total output is 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a nine-speed automatic.
Performance is peppy with brisk acceleration from a stop – Mercedes-Benz says it can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds – and plenty of power when speeding up to merge and pass on the highway. The ride is silky smooth, thanks to the standard adaptive air suspension. The nine-speed shifts smoothly and almost imperceptibly. Steering and brakes are responsive. The cabin is ultra quiet, with road, wind and engine noise barely noticeable.
There’s an Off-Road mode that puts the suspension at its highest setting with seven inches of ground clearance. The screen displays and instrument panel indicate things like off-road control functions and tilt and climb angles. A cool feature is a transparent hood function that shows a virtual view of what’s under the front of the wagon so you can avoid any obstacles in your path.
Fuel efficiency is decent for a luxury wagon. EPA ratings are 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway with a combined rating of 25. I got 25 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
When properly equipped, the All-Terrain can tow up to 4,600 pounds.
The cabin is opulent with the elegant materials and up-to-the-minute tech you expect in an E-Class vehicle. Fit and finish are excellent, with every stitch in place. Seats are MB-Tex leatherette or you can upgrade to real leather. A 12.3-inch digital gauge and ginormous 14.4-inch touchscreen dominate the dash. Seats are comfortable and supportive, even on long drives. Passengers in both rows enjoy good leg- and headroom.
Standard features include remote start, proximity keyless entry, Keyless-Go, surround view camera system, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats with memory settings, heated front seats, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, infotainment system with 14.4-inch touchscreen, navigation with augmented video, 17-speaker Burmester surround sound system, HD Radio, satellite radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, wireless device charging, Wi-Fi hotspot, 64-color LED ambient lighting, adaptive headlights, universal garage door opener, and panorama roof.
Available features include a head-up display, dashcam, Nappa leather seating, 3D digital gauge cluster, 12.3-inch passenger LED display, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and soft-close doors.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning crash avoidance system, pre-collision safety system, post-collision safety system, Parktronic with active parking assist, and driver attention monitoring.
Available driver assistance technologies include active emergency stop assist, active steering assist, active lane-change and lane-keep assist, and Pre-Safe Plus.
The infotainment system looks great with its huge 14.4-inch touchscreen and sharp graphics. But it’s complex with a lot of menus and sub-menus and it takes time to figure out. The steering wheel has several touch-sensitive buttons that also take some practice. You can say, “Hey Mercedes” to control a myriad of functions and controls.
Cargo space is generous. The All-Terrain has 33.1 cubes with both rows of seating in place and 64.6 cubes with the second row folded. A retractable luggage cover and dividing net are standard. The second row seat backs can be folded down with a 40:20:40 split, operated with two push buttons on the left and right side of the rear seat backrest. A power liftgate is standard.
The good:
Stands out from luxury SUVs
Silky-smooth ride
Peppy performance and refined handling
Suitable for light off-roading
Loaded with features and tech
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Infotainment system has learning curve
Price can quickly climb with packages and options
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $74,700. Tonka brown and black leather is $1,620. Energizing air control is $150. Advanced USB Package is $300. MBUX Superscreen Package is $1,500. Driver Assistance Package is $1,950. Digital Light Package is $990. Winter Package is $450. Leather Package is $800. The destination fee is $1,150, bringing the grand total to $83,610.
Bottom line:
Wagons are not a top choice of U.S. drivers. But for someone who wants a vehicle that’s different than a luxury SUV, a luxury wagon like the 2924 Mercedes-Benz E450 4MATIC All-Terrain is worth consideration. It boasts handsome looks, a silky-smooth ride, an opulent cabin loaded with features and tech, and the ability to do some light exploring off the beaten path.
