Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain, a Station Wagon with High Performance Swagger

The Modern Exclusivity of the Station Wagon

There once was a time when the family station wagon ruled the carpool lane. Looking out at an asphalt sea of fake wood paneling with kids shooting the bird at passing truckers from the comfort of a rear-facing vinyl bench seat. Now, with minivans, SUVs, and even pickup trucks offering the same level of practical legroom and cargo space, what’s left for the station wagon? Exclusivity.

The sudden sight of a stylish sports wagon can be a refreshing treat for the eye in a constantly revolving background of pickup trucks and SUVs.

This is something I learned while road testing the Mercedes-Benz E 450 All-Terrain. Granted, its deliciously vibrant Cardinal Red exterior paint and 20-inch AMG wheels helped to maintain the attention of onlookers, but overall, people reacted positively to this vehicle, while others had a puzzled look of surprise upon seeing a contemporary station wagon in the present day.

Head Turning Wagon

The E450 All-Terrain boasts a design that sets it apart from the crowd. With an arched half-moon roofline and bulging wheel flares, it exudes a powerful low-riding stance like a panther preparing to pounce on its prey.

The front grille and headlamps are surrounded by gloss black, contrasted with the paintwork and chrome. It’s a sports wagon that masterfully blends elegance and aggression into a design that I caught myself admiring constantly.

IT Trouble with MBUX Hyperscreen

Inside the E450 All-Terrain, you get plenty of exterior lighting with a dual-sunroof, and the rear seats fold flat to increase the already ample cargo room. The leather-upholstered cabin can be equipped with the MBUX 56-inch Hyperscreen, which converts the dashboard into a glass case housing three digital screens for the driver and passenger.

The presentation is impressive, as it looks state-of-the-art, with the entire dash appearing as one seemingly giant screen.

However, presentation aside, there was one case where the center and passenger screen froze like an aging computer minutes after starting the vehicle. As a result, I could not adjust the audio source, volume, drive mode, or climate controls.

Interior Design in the E450 All-Terrain

I resolved the issue the same way any IT professional would, by turning the car off, waiting for the screen to shut down entirely, and turning it on again. The issue was resolved, but it left a frustrating bad first impression that festered as I glanced at the odometer showing less than 2,000 miles while basking in a fog of new car smell.

While on the subject of interior design, this new trend of adding a screen for the front passenger still makes no sense to me. The idea is that someone riding shotgun can adjust the music and climate controls from their seat.

The option to connect their phone using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is also available. But passengers could easily reach over and make these adjustments from the center screen, so what’s the benefit beyond the visual aesthetic of having a screen on top of the glove box? It seems more of a distraction for drivers since so many of us are under Pavilion’s control to look at a screen when presented with one.

But I digress.

All-Terrain All-Wheel Drive Turbo Straight Six

Under the hood, the E450 All-Terrain is propelled by a 3.0L turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt hybrid system. This engine delivers 375 horsepower and 396 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters available. The result is a family wagon that can go from a standstill to 60 mph in under five seconds, even with all four doors loaded with passengers.

Experiencing the mood shift when this seemingly elegant and poise estate wagon darts off the line like a sports car with an iron foot on the throttle is part of the charm of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain. Moreover, it offers an off-road drive setting that adjusts its adaptive air ride suspension to cope with challenging terrain.

I’d be surprised if anyone actually took this wagon out on a camping expedition, even though it could carry all the necessary supplies.

The average fuel economy for the E450 All-Terrain has an EPA rating of 25 mpg, with 22 in the city and 31 on the highway.

I averaged 26 mph overall, which is decent and competitive against many mid-size SUVs with less performance and rear cargo space. But those SUVs don’t have a starting price of $75,000, and if you start adding options like additional USB ports and an illuminating front grille, you’ll find yourself paying well over $80,000 for this German import sports luxury wagon.

Final Thoughts

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain offers a unique alternative for those seeking a large, luxurious, and speedy vehicle without blending in with the sea of SUVs and sedans. It manages to exude a sense of performance-backed luxury without being ostentatious, hiding its premium appeal in the modest silhouette of a family wagon.  

Engine: 3.0L Inline Six Turbocharged with 48-Volt

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

0 to 60: 4.6 seconds

Starting Price: $76,100

Price as Shown: $88,400