2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon Road Test and Review

2020 Mercedes Benz E450 Burgundy Front Three Quarter ・ Photo by Mercedes-Benz

In the age of the SUV, there aren’t many station wagons left standing. Most automakers have abandoned the body style, which was once the choice of millions of American families. A shame? Maybe. But the wagons that remain are an impressive bunch, and one of the best is the 2020 Mercedes E-Class.

Mercedes has been selling wagons for over 50 years, and the E Class wagon first appeared way back in 1978. Now in its fourth generation, the new version is still built in Germany and received its last major redesign just a few years ago along with the E-Class sedan. It’s not only one of the largest wagons still offered in America, but it’s also the most powerful and the most expensive. It competes with the Volvo V90, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake, the far more affordable Buick Regal TourX, and the smaller Audi A4 Allroad and Volvo V60.

Turbocharged Horsepower

Today, every new 2020 Mercedes E-Class wagon features all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine. The lineup starts with the E450 4Matic model, which is powered by a smooth and refined 3.0-liter V6 with two turbochargers. It’s the same engine Mercedes uses in some of its SUVs, including the GLE, and it makes 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Big numbers. Also shared with the brand’s SUVs is its 4Matic all-wheel drive system and the company’s excellent nine-speed automatic transmission.

Standard features include a sunroof, a power liftgate, navigation, LED headlamps and taillamps, as well as a unique rear-facing third-row seat, which fits a couple of kids. In the old days it was called the “way back,” and it makes this the only seven-passenger wagon on the market. Prices start at $67,095, including a $995 destination fee. That’s about the same as the base price of the Jaguar XF Sportbrake, but the Volvo V90 is much cheaper, with prices starting around $52,000. With options, our Mercedes E450 4Matic wagon test vehicle cost $78,640.

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Enthusiasts Want the AMG E 63 S

If you want the most powerful, quickest, and best-handling wagon available, then you want the Mercedes AMG E 63 S Wagon. AMG is Mercedes’ in-house tuner shop, and its engineers add horsepower, sport-tuned suspensions, and larger brakes to the brand’s mainstream models. The E 63 S is a hot rod, just one that looks like a station wagon. It’s all-wheel drive system even features a unique Drift Mode that sends all of its engine power to its rear tires for burnouts and powerslides. Maybe they should have called it Teenager Mode?

Under the wagon’s aluminum hood is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. It’s not only one of the best sounding engines on the planet, with a classic V8 rumble, but it’s also one of the most powerful, cranking out 603-hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. That’ll give you a thrill on the way to soccer practice. Mercedes says the E 63 S wagon can accelerate to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and its top speed is electronically limited to 180 mph. No other wagon sold in America can even approach that kind of performance. Prices start around $110,000.

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Strong Performance and a Smooth Ride

With its twin-turbo V6, the E450 wagon is more than swift enough for most drivers. Throttle response is quick, and the engine is smooth and refined, even up at its 6,250-rpm redline. It provides plenty of torque off the line and robust passing power on the highway. At full throttle, its pull is strong enough to give you an adrenaline rush. Mercedes says the E450 wagon can accelerate to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, which is quicker than the Jaguar XF and the Volvo V90.

The wagon’s nine-speed automatic transmission, which is controlled by a stalk on the steering column, is also responsive. It changes gears quickly and cleanly, and it always seems to be in the right ratio. There are also standard paddle shifters for drivers who want to choose gears manually, and the powertrain matches the engine's revs when you ask for a downshift.

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Smooth Ride, But Agile Handling

This is also one of the smoothest-riding wagons in this class. Our test car, despite its optional 19-inch wheels and tires, soaked up Michigan’s two-lane country roads beautifully. It loves long fast corners, feeling solid, planted, and stable. And it’s locked in on the highway thanks to a unique Crosswind Assist system, which quickly adjusts its stability control system and suspension when the wagon encounters lateral gusts.

Push the wagon around like a sports car in Comfort mode and its suspension can get a bit floaty. That’s when you reach down and flick the toggle switch on the console marked Dynamic. Choosing Sport or Sport+ modes tightens the wagon’s suspension and steering. The transmission also shifts more quickly and throttle response is increased. Suddenly the wagon is a high-performance German sports machine, and it seems to shrink around you, feeling smaller and lighter than before. There’s more engine sound as well, complete with pops and bangs in Sport+.

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Average Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is about average for this class, The EPA rates the E450 wagon at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, and it features a smooth start/stop function, which shuts off the engine at idle to save fuel. In mixed driving, our test vehicle averaged 22 mpg.

Surprisingly, however, Mercedes’ mid-size SUV basically matches the wagon’s fuel economy. With the same engine and transmission, the GLE 450 is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, while the less-powerful GLE 350 is rated at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The Volvo V90, which only offers 250 hp, is rated at 24 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. Benz's V8-powered AMG 63 S model is quite a bit thirstier. It’s rated at 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, which isn’t bad considering its 600 hp. Both models require more expensive premium fuel for their turbocharged engines.

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Comfortable, Beautifully Designed Interior

This wagon also has one of the most beautiful interiors in the class. Build quality is very high, and the visual impact of the design and the materials used are worthy of an auto show concept car. Control placement is excellent, and the heated and cooled front seats in our test vehicle were firm, well-bolstered, and comfortable, though the bottom cushion of the driver’s seat may feel short to tall drivers. It’s easy to find the right driving position, and visibility is outstanding.

The wagon’s large 12.3-inch instrument cluster is configurable and simple to operate. A massive infotainment screen is also standard and the graphics are beautiful. Although we would prefer a touchscreen, the system is easy to use once you get used to its touchpad interface. The analog clock on the dash is a wonderful old-school touch. Rear seat space is generous and five fit in this Benz comfortably. Storage space is also plentiful and well thought out.

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Big Cargo Space and High Safety Ratings

The 2020 Mercedes E-Class wagon offers 35 cubic feet of space behind its second-row seat, which is split 40/20/40 and folds flat easily. That’s large for the class and more than you get in the Volvo V90 or the Jaguar XF Sportbrake, but less than you’ll find in the Mercedes GLE. With its rear seats folded out of the way, there’s 64.3 cubic feet. Liftover height is low, which makes loading easier.

The new Mercedes E-Class wagon is also rated a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That’s the organization's highest possible score. Parents of small children will appreciate its easy-to-reach LATCH connectors in the outboard rear seats and its easily accessed upper tether anchors on its seatbacks.

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Advanced Safety Systems and Driver Aids

Mercedes offers a long list of high-tech safety systems on the 2020 E-Class Wagon, but unfortunately many are extra-cost options — which is surprising considering our test vehicle’s $62,000 base price.

Active Brake Assist is standard. The system will warn you if a vehicle or other obstacle is in your path and it’ll automatically apply the brakes if the system believes an accident is imminent and the driver does not take action. Blind-spot monitoring and Pre Safe are also standard. If the Pre Safe system senses an accident is about to take place, it will quickly tighten the front seat belts, adjust the passenger seat, and close the windows and sunroof in an attempt to better prepare the vehicle and occupants for the collision. Our test car also included the $2,250 Driver Assistance Package, which we highly recommend. It adds many other passive and active driver aids, including Active Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and Evasive Steering Assist.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Final Thoughts

As SUVs continue to gain popularity, automakers will continue cranking them out in all shapes and sizes. Mercedes now offers seven. But the station wagon lives on, thankfully, and the 2020 Mercedes E-Class wagon is one of our favorite vehicles. It perfectly combines the wonderful comfort, performance, and dynamics of the E-Class sedan with nearly the cargo capacity of a mid-size SUV. It even seats seven.

Although we lust after the big horsepower V8-powered AMG model, the E450 4Matic wagon offers more than enough power and handling to satiate most buyers. Even enthusiast drivers will find its performance satisfying. So before you buy another luxury suv, we highly recommend a test drive of the Mercedes E-Class wagon. It’s something special.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz