How do you promote a wagon within the US in 2020? Make it appear to be an SUV. Traditional station wagons proceed to fall out of favor with American prospects, but higher-riding crossovers carry on promoting like hotcakes. With that in thoughts: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon is useless; lengthy reside the Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain.The All-Terrain joins the Mercedes’ US lineup as a part of the E-Class’ 2021 model-year replace. It’s primarily the outgoing E450 wagon with 2 further inches of floor clearance, customary air suspension (beforehand an choice), some rugged-looking physique cladding and butch new bumper therapies. Overall, the look actually works; the All-Terrain is unquestionably good-looking, although I’m undecided if all of the cladding works in opposition to my tester’s wealthy shade of Cardinal Red. In any case, this crossover-like updo makes an entire lot of sense for the E-Class, higher positioning it to tackle different high-riding luxurious wagons such because the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo V90 Cross Country.
2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain is ruggedly good-looking
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You can solely get the All-Terrain in E450 4Matic guise within the US, that means it makes use of Mercedes’ 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 engine and all-wheel drive. The straight-six engine is similar one you will discover in various Benz’s different merchandise, producing 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, along with a supplemental 21 hp and 184 lb-ft from the 48-volt EQ-Boost mild-hybrid system.

With its ample low-end torque and smooth-shifting nine-speed computerized transmission, the E-Class All-Terrain is tremendous good to drive. This wagon pulls away from stoplights with authority, thanks partly to the additional torque increase from the mild-hybrid tech (Mercedes estimates a 0-to-60-mph time of 5.1 seconds). What’s extra, EQ-Boost irons out the motion of the stop-start system, that means I’m extra more likely to depart the fuel-saving perform activated as this tech is not often my jam. This helps the portly, 4,350-pound E450 All-Terrain return respectable EPA gasoline economic system estimates of 22 miles per gallon metropolis, 28 mpg freeway and 24 mpg mixed.The All-Terrain is the type of automotive you would not suppose twice about placing a whole lot of miles on in a single sitting, figuring out you will arrive at your vacation spot as relaxed as if you left. The customary adaptive air suspension takes numerous the credit score for that steadiness and composure, mitigating bigger impacts from damaged pavement and usually delivering a strong, serene journey. Pro tip, although: Skip the 20-inch wheels you see on this check automotive. Good as they give the impression of being, they permit for small preliminary impacts to be felt by the chassis. Plus, the surprisingly aggressive 245/40 entrance and 275/35 rear Pirelli P-Zero summer time tires type of go in opposition to the entire take-me-anywhere perspective of the All-Terrain. This E450 comes customary with 19-inch wheels and 245/45-series tires in any respect 4 corners; that is undoubtedly the best way to go.

Methinks you will not be doing a lot off-roading with these 20-inch wheels and P-Zero summer time tires.
Michael Shaffer/Mercedes-Benz
On the opposite hand, throw the All-Terrain into Sport mode and the air suspension hunkers down, the steering provides a bit extra weight and people sticky tires supply plenty of grip whereas cornering. In different phrases, the few people who would possibly’ve in any other case purchased an ordinary E450 wagon shall be glad to know this factor can nonetheless hustle when provoked. And if it is efficiency you are after, AMG has you lined.

For what it is value, the All-Terrain has Offroad and Offroad Plus driving modes that increase the suspension and cut back throttle sensitivity, however I do not advocate venturing too far off the overwhelmed path in one in every of these wagons — particularly when you’re rolling on 20s. Much like the brand new Audi A6 Allroad, this E-Class is an All-Terrain in identify and look way over in potential. Have a mud highway on the best way to your campsite? Great, have enjoyable. Want to hold with the Jeeps on the paths? Break into Mercedes’ headquarters and steal the E-Class 4×4 Squared as a substitute.Also like Audi’s new Allroad, the E-Class All-Terrain is an absolute tech powerhouse. On the driver-assistance entrance, the E450 is accessible with full-speed adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go capabilities, lively steering help, lane-change help, visitors signal recognition, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping tech and Mercedes’ new Exit Warning perform, which is able to provide you with a warning if an object is approaching if you’re parallel parked and about to open your door. (Cyclists will thanks.) The solely dangerous information is that none of this security gear is customary, so you’ll want to add the $1,950 Driver Assistance Package.The All-Terrain’s cabin is usually flawless, and all 2021 E-Class fashions now use Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment tech.
Michael Shaffer/Mercedes-Benz
The E-Class upgrades to Mercedes’ newest MBUX infotainment tech. A pair of 12.3-inch screens span two-thirds of the dashboard, the left show performing as a digital instrument cluster, the proper one serving as the principle multimedia interface. Like MBUX’s integration in different Mercedes-Benz fashions, you possibly can function the software program through controllers on the steering wheel, a touchpad on the middle console, voice instructions — “Hey, Mercedes, I’m cold” — or just by touching the display. I’m all in regards to the latter, particularly with the system’s fast responses to inputs. Also, it is best to completely spring for the augmented actuality navigation overlays ($350) as a result of they make discovering locations a cinch.Aside from the tech replace, the E-Class’ inside carries over largely unchanged, which is okay by me. This is an extremely snug and classy cabin, with good particulars like open-pore wooden, actual steel finishes and a gazillion totally different ambient mild decisions. Front and rear passengers have plenty of room to stretch out, and there is 35 cubic ft of cargo house behind the again seats. Fold ’em down and you have 64 cubes at your disposal.There’s only one itty-bitty-teensy-tiny drawback with the brand new E-Class’ inside, and it is not particular to the All-Terrain: the steering wheel. For some bizarre motive, Mercedes eliminated the thumbpad controllers for the infotainment system in addition to the bodily buttons and scroll wheels for the amount and menu controls. Instead, there are little capacitive-touch sensors which take getting used to. The four-way swipe pads for the screens aren’t so dangerous, however the slider bar for the amount is infuriating. I inevitably all the time find yourself going too far up or too far down, or I press too laborious and mute the entire thing. I’m undecided why Mercedes opted to repair what wasn’t damaged.Long reside the longroof.
Michael Shaffer/Mercedes-Benz
But like I stated, that is a minor grievance in an in any other case flawless cabin, one that may be optioned to the gills with facilities like massaging seats, wi-fi cellphone charging, heated armrests and many totally different colour and trim mixtures. There’s even a $1,100 Acoustic Comfort Package on the choices roster, which presents elevated cabin insulation and particular acoustic glass. If silence is your definition of luxurious, then it is a must-have add-on.The 2021 E450 All-Terrain prices $68,650 to begin, together with $1,050 for vacation spot. Load one up just like the automotive you see right here and also you’re $84,790. That’s a bunch of cash, but it surely falls according to Audi A6 Allroad pricing. The Volvo V90 Cross Country is essentially the most inexpensive of the bunch, nevertheless, and it presents much more floor clearance. Plus, I believe the Swede is the best-looking wagon of the bunch.Really, although, it would not completely matter if the All-Terrain can out-Allroad an Audi. What issues is that it makes the E-Class wagon extra interesting to US consumers. If these off-road duds even handle to persuade just a few individuals to move up a GLE-Class SUV in favor of longroof life, that helps guarantee a brighter future for all Mercedes-Benz wagons — the holy-grail AMG E63 included. The new E-Class All-Terrain is not any higher or worse a wagon than the outdated E450. But if some added cladding and an air suspension is what it takes to maneuver these within the States, then I’m all in favor of slightly off-road cosplay.