It is no secret that Americans love SUVs. They love them so much that American manufacturers hardly even offer cars anymore. Perhaps a bit more of a secret is that automotive enthusiasts love wagons. They appreciate the low center of gravity that gives the ride and handling of a car and, if sorted right, a sports sedan. Mercedes-Benz of America offers six SUVs or thirteen, if you count EV, coupe, and Maybach variants. They offer exactly one wagon. Should you consider the wagon among all those SUV choices? Mercedes-Benz of Plano’s answer is yes, you absolutely should.
The E-Class sedan model line was redesigned for 2024, including the E-Class All-Terrain. The E-Class All-Terrain is a premium product even by E-Class standards. With a starting MSRP of $74,700**, it is about $12,000 more than the sedan or the GLE SUV. The first reason for the price difference is that while the sedan and GLE start with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, the standard engine for the E-Class All Terrain is the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The GLE is also available with this engine, which narrows the price difference to $5,200.
From there, the GLE may seem like the obvious choice on paper. Its taller roof provides more cargo space and more headroom. It also has more rear legroom and a bit more shoulder room. With the same engine and the same 9-speed automatic transmission, the All-Terrain does offer more fuel mileage to the tune of an EPA-estimated city/hwy/com mpg of 22 / 31 / 25 compared to 19 / 26 / 22 for the GLE.
The gas savings are not inconsequential, but that is not the real reason to choose the E-Class All Terrain. You choose it because of how it drives and by the manner in which it expresses class and elegance inside and out in a way that not even a GLE can match.
Starting with how it drives, the wagon weighs about 500 less than the SUV. That accounts for a thrilling 0-60 time of 4.3 seconds, as recorded by Car and Driver, which is a full second less than the GLE time from the same source. At the same time, its lower body not only enables faster running in the curves but also gives you the confidence and encouragement to do so. A “sport sedan with a backpack” may not be the most upscale-sound description, but it is apt.
The inside, of course, is all E-class sedan, and the dash is a dramatic departure from Mercedes-Benz models of the past. Minimalism is the theme, so instead of a bank of prominent HVAC vents across the center, all the vents are hidden in a single set of trim across the top of the dash. In the center is a large but fully integrated 14.4-inch touchscreen. Below is a discrete panel of convenient physical controls for the climate control system. Before the front passenger is an elegant panel of wood grain divided by the Mercedes-Benz trademark aluminum slat trim, or the front passenger can have their own 12.3-inch touchscreen. Adding sound to match the sight is a 21-speaker Burmester* audio system that can fully take advantage of the hushed interior.
Perhaps most surprising is that minimal capability is lost compared to the GLE. The all-wheel drive is accompanied by a standard AIRMATIC® suspension that combines adaptive damping with automatic level control. You can raise the ride height at a button's touch, and it can self-lower to enhance high-speed stability. In addition, you will find underbody protection, more rugged wheels and tires, and an Off-Road drive mode. This is not a vehicle you will rock hop on the Rubicon trail, but it will be just fine for the ski trip, get you to any campsite, and get you out again after it rained all night. The Off-Road driving mode even makes use of the large center screen, including a “transparent hood” view integrated with the 360-degree camera to show you what is directly under the front of the car.
The E-Class All-Terrain stands apart in a world full of SUVs. It is a choice that has others speculate as to what you know that they don’t. If you are considering one of the Mercedes-Benz SUVs from the Mercedes-Benz of Plano’s vast inventory, you can’t really go wrong. Do yourself a favor and be sure to look at the E-Class All-Terrain as well. You may find the perfect SUV for you is the E-Class wagon.
**Base MSRP excludes transportation and handling charges, destination charges, taxes, title, registration, preparation and documentary fees, tags, labor and installation charges, insurance, and optional equipment, products, packages, and accessories. Options, model availability, and actual dealer price may vary. See dealer for details, costs, and terms.
*Burmester is a registered trademark of Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH, Berlin, Germany
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