Automotive

E-Class Estate is German for "you don't need an SUV"

E-Class Estate is German for "you don't need an SUV"
The E-Class Estate could be the perfect anti-SUV
The E-Class Estate could be the perfect anti-SUV
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The E-Class estate is available with seven different engines
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The E-Class estate is available with seven different engines 
The E-Class Estate could be the perfect anti-SUV
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The E-Class Estate could be the perfect anti-SUV
To avoid a blocky, van-like rear end, the roofline gently slopes downward
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To avoid a blocky, van-like rear end, the roofline gently slopes downward
Those taillights will be familiar to anyone who's seen a C-Class Estate
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Those taillights will be familiar to anyone who's seen a C-Class Estate
There's plenty of space in the E-Class boot
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There's plenty of space in the E-Class boot
The car's cabin is inspired by the S-Class' layout
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The car's cabin is inspired by the S-Class' layout 
Mercedes has integrated the roof rails into its design
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Mercedes has integrated the roof rails into its design
If you've got a real need for speed, or a burning desire to scare the family dog on an autobahn run there's the E43 AMG
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If you've got a real need for speed, or a burning desire to scare the family dog on an autobahn run there's the E43 AMG
Mercedes will be offering up seven different engines at launch.
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Mercedes will be offering up seven different engines at launch. 
The Estate is capable of towing up to 2,100 kg, thanks to a power-retractable coupling
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The Estate is capable of towing up to 2,100 kg, thanks to a power-retractable coupling
The car comes standard with ESP trailer stabilisation
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The car comes standard with ESP trailer stabilisation
An electric tailgate is standard on all models, although you pay more for hands-free boot opening
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An electric tailgate is standard on all models, although you pay more for hands-free boot opening
There's 670 liters of luggage space with the rear seats in place, and a whopping 1,820 liters when all three are folded
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There's 670 liters of luggage space with the rear seats in place, and a whopping 1,820 liters when all three are folded
On the petrol side of the fence, the range kicks off with the 2.0-liter E200
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On the petrol side of the fence, the range kicks off with the 2.0-liter E200
Rear seat passengers are well looked after in the E-Class Estate
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Rear seat passengers are well looked after in the E-Class Estate
Open pore wood and polished finishes are available on the E-Class
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Open pore wood and polished finishes are available on the E-Class
We're not sold on the color combo shown here
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We're not sold on the color combo shown here
The three rear seats all fold independently of each other
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The three rear seats all fold independently of each other 
The center seats folds down for skis or, er, a propeller
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The center seats folds down for skis or, er, a propeller 
The range starts with a little diesel, but we'd be looking at the petrol and diesel V6 models
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The range starts with a little diesel, but we'd be looking at the petrol and diesel V6 models
The E400 4MATIC makes 245 kW (333 hp) and 480 Nm from its 3.5-liter V6.
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The E400 4MATIC makes 245 kW (333 hp) and 480 Nm from its 3.5-liter V6. 
The E-Class wagon is designed to look less blocky than your average wagon
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The E-Class wagon is designed to look less blocky than your average wagon
The grille and wheel combination changes depending on trim level
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The grille and wheel combination changes depending on trim level
The E-Class Estate is a handsome beast
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The E-Class Estate is a handsome beast 
The E-Class Estate is a good alternative to most SUVs
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The E-Class Estate is a good alternative to most SUVs 
The E-Class Estate can be had with seven engines
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The E-Class Estate can be had with seven engines 
The sloping roofline doesn't impact too heavily on load space
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The sloping roofline doesn't impact too heavily on load space
The E-Class looks like a shrunken S-Class from some angles
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The E-Class looks like a shrunken S-Class from some angles
The front of the E-Class is largely unchanged from the sedan
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The front of the E-Class is largely unchanged from the sedan 
Mercedes has worked hard on sound deadening for the new E-Class Estate
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Mercedes has worked hard on sound deadening for the new E-Class Estate
The E-Class Estate's rear end
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The E-Class Estate's rear end 
The Mercedes E-Class Estate
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The Mercedes E-Class Estate
The E-Class Estate
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The E-Class Estate
The tapering glasshouse is similar to the look of the CLS Shooting Brake
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The tapering glasshouse is similar to the look of the CLS Shooting Brake 
E-Class Estates side-by-side
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E-Class Estates side-by-side
Would you choose mocha and white leather in your E-Class Estate?
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Would you choose mocha and white leather in your E-Class Estate?
An iPad mount is available for rear seat passengers
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An iPad mount is available for rear seat passengers 
The load net makes the E-Class like a luxurious miniature van
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The load net makes the E-Class like a luxurious miniature van
The cabin is eminently practical
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The cabin is eminently practical 
We're not sure how this white leather will hold up to kids and pets
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We're not sure how this white leather will hold up to kids and pets
View gallery - 40 images

Mercedes has plugged every four-wheel drive niche imaginable, but that doesn't mean the team at Stuttgart has forgotten about traditional families who just want a plain old wagon. The E-Class Estate has space for the family and all their kit, but unlike many SUVs, it doesn't try to be something it's not. And we're perfectly okay with that.

We're going to start at the back, because that's where the good news is hiding on the E-Class Estate. There's 670 liters (23.7 cu.ft) of luggage space with the rear seats in place, and a whopping 1,820 liters (64.3 cu.ft) when all three are folded. What's more, the three rear seats fold independently, making it easier to carry long items and passengers at the same time.

Those taillights will be familiar to anyone who's seen a C-Class Estate
Those taillights will be familiar to anyone who's seen a C-Class Estate

An electric tailgate is standard on all models, although you pay more for hands-free boot opening. You'll also pay more to kit out the load bay with the full gamut of load rails, fasteners and luggage holders.

If there's not enough room in the boot for whatever you're trying to carry, the Estate is capable of towing up to 2,100 kg (4,630 lb), thanks to a power-retractable coupling. The car comes standard with ESP trailer stabilization, too, cutting down on the risk of a snaking freeway tank slapper in all but the windiest conditions, where the optional trailer crosswind assistance system might come in handy.

Mercedes will be offering up seven different engines at launch. If you're keen on diesel power, the entry level four-cylinder E200d puts out 110 kW (150 hp) of power and 360 Nm (266 lb.ft) of torque, or 33 kW (44 hp) and 40 Nm (30 lb.ft) less than the E220d with which it shares its engine and 4.2 l/100km (67 UK mpg) combined fuel figure.

The cabin is eminently practical
The cabin is eminently practical 

We're more interested in the E350d, which punches out 190 kW (258 hp) of power, and a chubby 620 Nm (457 lb.ft) of torque from a 3.0-liter V6. Fuel use doesn't suffer too much, either, with a combined consumption figure of 5.4 l/100 km (52 mpg).

On the petrol side of the fence, the range kicks off with the 2.0-liter E200, making 135 kW (184 hp) of power and 300 Nm (221 lb.ft) of torque. Those outputs are down by 20 kW (27 hp) and 50 Nm (37 lb.ft) on the E250 which shares the same four-cylinder engine, although both seem a bit undernourished sitting alongside the E400 4MATIC, which makes 245 kW (333 hp) and 480 Nm (354 lb.ft) from its 3.5-liter V6.

If you've got a real need for speed, or a burning desire to scare the family dog on an autobahn run there's the E43 AMG, with the same 295 kW (401 hp) and 520 Nm (384 lb.ft) as the sedan version launched earlier this year.

Open pore wood and polished finishes are available on the E-Class
Open pore wood and polished finishes are available on the E-Class

One of the biggest drawcards for the new E-Class was its sumptuous interior, and that remains the case in the wagon. Tick the right option boxes, and the driver is faced with dual-display setup found in the S-Class. You also get the sweeping dashboard design and aircraft-inspired air-vents that debuted on Mercedes' flagship, making the E-Class cabin look more special than any middle-manager's family car really has any right to.

It should also be nice and quiet inside, thanks to extra insulation on the bulkhead, sidewalls and main floor of the car, as well as special sound absorbers mounted in the wheelarches and under the rear seats. If that's not enough, there is also an extra acoustic comfort package available, which adds extra sound insulation and a special acoustic coating for the windscreen and window glass.

Of course, sometimes the most annoying noises come from the back seat, so Mercedes will also sell you an iPad mount to keep pestering kids quiet on long road trips.

The Estate is capable of towing up to 2,100 kg, thanks to a power-retractable coupling
The Estate is capable of towing up to 2,100 kg, thanks to a power-retractable coupling

From the outside, the E-Class joins the Volvo V90 in trying to avoid the boxy shape that usually comes with practical, wagon motoring. That means the rear roofline gently slopes downward, working in tandem with the tapering glasshouse to make that wagon butt look a bit less blocky and a bit more bootylicious.

Pricing information hasn't been released for the E-Class Estate, but expect to pay a small premium over the US$50K cost of the equivalent sedan when it launches.

Source: Mercedes Benz

View gallery - 40 images
4 comments
4 comments
MBadgero
Nice to see the station wagon make a comeback. Much better gas mileage than SUVs.
Adrian Pineda
I wanted a car, not an SUV. My boys are tall. The only 2 cars they fit in comfortably were the Li version of the BMW 7 series and the Mercedes S-Class. We now have a S600. Luxury is nice when you can sit, relax and enjoy it.
Michael Wilson
I too am glad to see wagons making a comeback. I like a vehicle with space, and a bit of pace. Tall wagons and SUVS lack the handling of a sedan/wagon.
Dirk Scott
It's a Volvo XC70!