2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 4MATIC All-Terrain Wagon
“Wagon Practicality with Sport Sedan-like Handling”
By Arv Voss
OVERVIEW
A few years ago Wagons were predicted to go the way of the dinosaur. They were rapidly losing their popularity and were about as favored as the dreaded minivan with its “Soccer-Mom” image. Never-the-less, I’ve personally continued to reserve a place for wagons on my list of favorite vehicle styles and configurations.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been in existence longer than most of its competition in the wagon marketplace. For the 2021 model year, the German Tri-star manufacturer has renamed the E-Class as the E450 4MATIC All Terrain Wagon- An appropriate move in an attempt to appeal to potential SUV buyers. It is a seven passenger, all-wheel drive, five door wagon that is powered by a forward mounted engine.
The new MBZ E450 comes with the handling of a sport sedan, the practicality of a station wagon in a more elegant and stylish form, and with its 4MATIC all-wheel drive demonstrating the ability to handle more than simply smooth asphalt surfaces.
IMPRESSIVE POWER
Powering this desirable wagon is a longitudinally front-mounted inline 3.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled, DOHC, 24 valve six-cylinder engine that cranks out 362 horses at 1,600 rpm while developing 369 pound feet of torque at 6,100 rpm paired with EQ Boost – a 48-volt hybrid system that replaces the old twin-turbo V-6and Direct Fuel Injection. The starter-generator system can add up to 21 horsepower to the equation. The 9GTronic 9-speed automatic with ECO Start/Stop joins forces in delivering seamless linear energy. Adding to the vehicle’s versatility is 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive. There’s an EPA-estimated fuel economy improvement over the V-6 of 2 mpg (24 mpg)
ALLURING DESIGN
Styling changes represent a refresh that encompasses Mercedes’s entire E-class lineup which the prior iteration’s wagon didn’t. The new power bulge on the hood serves to emphasize the new engine – the main update to the vehicle’s modifications which are otherwise primarily cosmetic. The E450 All-Terrain exclusively features chrome trim and plastic cladding. The headlamps, taillamps, grille, and front bumper designs have been enhanced, but the overall form is unmistakably a familiar one. The long roof signifies that the E450 is indeed a wagon although it is a wagon with S-Class appeal.
ELEGANT INTERIOR FEATURES
Sliding into the cockpit, everything feels just right. Sumptuous open-pore wood trim comes as standard fare and there’s enough mood enhancing ambient lighting to soothe one’s spirit. Rear seats fold and The low load floor makes for ease in loading heavy items. Double 12.3-inch screens for media and driver information displays are now standard, as is Mercedes’s Siri-like digital assistant that responds to “Hey, Mercedes.” An augmented-reality navigation feature is optionally available and overlays directional arrows and directions onto a camera view of the road. The optional leather seats are both supportive and comfortable, and for an addiitonal $450 come heated and ventilated. The cargo space is cavernous: 35 cubic feet with the rear seats up, 64 cubic feet when they’re down.
AS TESTED
My test 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 4MATIC All-Terrain was impressive enough in its base form which started at $67,600. but became even more alluring after factoring in all of the optional equipoment and value added packages that included a host of comfort and convenience and safety and security features. The final tally of my Graphite Grey metallic beauty before taxes and licensing with its Nut Brown and Black Nappa leather interior featuring Natural grain Brown Ash wood trim elements came to $87,770.
CAN’T DO WITHOUT AMENITIES
The list of comfort and convenience features along with the safety and security features is far too long to fit into this review – just think Mercedes S-Class level quality.
PERFORMANCE
Aside from posing the questionabiity of a wagon with SUV cues that delivers an exceptionally firm ride on Goodyear Eagle F1 20-inch tires mounted on seemingly delicate 20-inch alloy wheels, the fact that this E450 All-Terrain wagon delivers the goods in spades. It is capable of clicking off a 0-60 mph sprint in a mere 4.4 seconds and hurtling over a quarter mile in 13.1 seconds despite the fact that it outweighs the earlier E450 by 123 pounds.
Air springs appear at every corner of the All-Terrain, while they were only found at the rear of the old wagon. Paying homage to the SUV styling and to improve ground clearance, the All-Terrain sits 1.2 inches higher that its predecessor.
THE FINAL TAKE
Was the transition to the look of an SUV necessary? Maybe not, but it is in actuality still quite appealing and the added enhanced versatility and functionality should improve the E-Class’s .bottom line sales figure. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. In any case, wagons rule and the all-wheel drive, 7-passenger, 5-door E450 All-Terrain Mercedes wagon is a premiere example. If an SUV is too big and a sedan is too small and you want something in between that serves up sporty performance, the Mercedes All-Terrain is the way to go.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 4MATIC All-Terrain Wagon
Base Price: $67,600.
Price as Tested: $87,770.
Engine Type and Size: 3.0-liter Inline turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve six-cylinder with EQ Boost and Direct Fuel Injection.
Horsepower (bhp) 362 @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (ft./ lbs.): 369 @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: 9GTronic 9-speed automatic with ECO Start/Stop
Drive Train: Longitudinally-mounted front engine / 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive.
Suspension: Front -Multilink
Rear -Multilink
Brakes: Power-assisted four-wheel vented and cross-discs with ABS, BAS, ESP and active brake assist.
Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrtic 2 Run-on Flat 245/40 R20 99Y front MO Extended / 275/55 R20 102Y rear MO Extended mounted on 5 “Y”-spoke alloys – Machine finish with Graphite Gray metallic painted inners.
Wheelbase: 115.7 inches
Length Overall: 194.8 inches
Width: 73.7 inches
Height: 58.9 inches
Curb Weight: 4,585 lbs.
Turning Circle: Not given.
Fuel Capacity: Not Listed gallons
EPA Mileage Estimates: 22 mpg city / 28 mpg highway
Drag Coefficient: Not listed
0 – 60 mph: 4.4 seconds
# # #
