40,000-Mile Wrap-Up
Around these parts—okay, in our heads—modern wagons park on the same pedestal as proper exotics. We hardly think twice when a Mercedes-Benz E-class sedan pulls up next to us at a stoplight. But an E-class wagon? That evokes pangs of envy and longing. In our mind’s eye, this wagon’s long-roof shape is the ultimate symbol of inconspicuous automotive consumption.
That Mercedes has persisted in offering a wagon version of its mid-size luxury car in the U.S. this long is admirable. In this niche, though, small sales volumes are offset by the rich demographics of its buyers. Mercedes says that, in the U.S., the E-class-wagon owner has among the highest average household income of all its customers, rivaled only by that of G-wagen buyers. And other automakers are catching on. Entrants from Volvo, Audi, and even Jaguar have filled the luxury-wagon segment to the point that we were able to conduct a three-car comparison test in 2018, which the Mercedes won. The six-cylinder variants of the E-class lineup also earned a spot on our 2018 and 2019 10Best lists. A 40,000-mile long-term relationship would test the depths of our love for the E wagon.
A dark-blue 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic wagon first showed up at our doorstep in May 2018. A few months later, with just over 7600 miles on the odometer, we parked it at our local Buffalo Wild Wings where the pointy corner of a moving truck ripped a gash down the passenger’s side nearly as long as the car itself. We probably should have known better than to park such a dignified vehicle at such a déclassé establishment, but rather than punish us for this unfortunate incident, Mercedes responded by delivering a replacement. We received another dark-blue E-class wagon in September, its new E450 badge denoting a 33-hp increase from its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 for the 2019 model year.
While we had exhibited some restraint in equipping our original car, we pulled out all the stops the second time around. On top of the E450 wagon’s $65,195 starting price, we added nearly $24,000 in options, including such hedonistic extras as massaging front seats, heated armrests, soft-close doors, and even the Acoustic Comfort package with thicker glass and extra sound insulation. The beige-and-amber Designo upholstery option with nappa leather, contrast stitching, and a nicer headliner accounted for $4900 of the $89,175 as-tested price. While the immaculate cabin was worth every penny, we did come to regret the light-colored interior as our filth accumulated with the miles.
The E450 sailed through its stay with us with nary an unscheduled trip to the dealership. But our wallets did get significantly lighter whenever we visited our local Benz store for regular maintenance. Four scheduled services—one every 10,000 miles—totaled $1895, a princely sum that’s especially egregious given that some luxury brands include routine maintenance for the first few visits.
The V-6 engine’s performance was strong enough that we rarely regretted bypassing the rip-roaring AMG E63 S and its 603-hp V-8. Our 4462-pound all-wheel-drive wagon ran to 60 mph in less than five seconds and delivered effortless power through a silky-smooth nine-speed automatic transmission. Its average fuel economy of 22 mpg matched not only the EPA’s combined estimate but also our long-term Infiniti QX50’s average consumption, despite that smaller and lighter crossover’s innovative variable-compression-ratio four-cylinder engine. Plus, the E’s large 21.1-gallon fuel tank enabled impressive cruising range, with a few drivers exceeding 500-mile highway stints between fill-ups.
Wafting along in the serene comfort of the E-class’s posh cabin proved to be a soothing, almost therapeutic experience. It turns out that there’s nothing that eases the stress of a cold, dark wintry commute quite like sitting in a massaging seat with your arm supported by a gently heated armrest while a supple suspension soaks up the worst stretches of Michigan’s awful roads. And while the E-class may not encourage you to hustle through corners, it’s a more than competent handler, bolstered by its respectable 0.91 g of grip on the skidpad and short 70-to-zero-mph stopping distance of 152 feet (though both those numbers got slightly worse when we tested the Mercedes with 40,000 miles on the odometer).
We appreciated the wagon’s lower center of gravity compared with the many SUVs in our long-term fleet that we typically rely on to transport our kids and pets. Its practical yet classy milieu was a welcome relief from the monotony of lifted suspensions, tall body styles, and black plastic cladding. There is a generous 35 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 64 cubic feet with them folded flat. And in the grand tradition of station wagons, there’s even a set of rear-facing jump seats that fold out of the cargo floor. We confirmed that they can accommodate two kids in a pinch or a single adult C/D staffer who’s willing to put up with a bit of discomfort on a quick lunch run (to anywhere other than Buffalo Wild Wings, of course).
Uncovering the flaws of the E450 wagon took some real digging, even from our merry band of nit-pickers. One driver took issue with the dinky steering-wheel-mounted column shifter, and another felt jilted after the seat massagers automatically deactivated after 15 minutes of relaxation. The Comand infotainment system supports the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay phone-mirroring systems, but the lack of a touchscreen makes it somewhat awkward to operate them; drivers must use the central control knob to select icons.
These first-world problems did little to diminish our admiration of this luxurious, elegant conveyance. The Mercedes lent a sense of occasion to mundane commutes and also served to elevate special events with its presence. Staff editor Eric Stafford enlisted the E450 as part of a plan to propose to his significant other. Later, research editor Beth Nichols made sure to secure the keys to the wagon for her own wedding. That’s true love.
Our long-term evaluations are, at their core, a test of whether that new-car shine holds up or dulls over time. Our affection for the E-class wagon only grew the more time we spent with it. This is one of the few times you’ll catch us saying that 40,000 miles wasn’t enough.
Rants and Raves
This makes commuting relaxing. It’s quiet, solid, and supple, with an interior that rivals those of $200,000 cars. —Tony Quiroga
Mercedes’s mid-size wagon is such a welcome relief from the lumbering SUVs I usually find myself in whenever I’m covering long distances. —Eric Tingwall
I requested the E-class wagon for my wedding weekend—that’s how much I love it. —Beth Nichols
In a world where so many cars are trying too hard, I love the confidence represented by the E’s lazy second-gear starts and occasionally floaty body control. —Dave VanderWerp
While driving it, I could swear I saw tiny green embroidered whales appear on my khakis. The thing was always pointing itself in the direction of Petoskey, Sag Harbor, Newport. —Eddie Alterman
Who needs the GLC when you can just activate the wagon’s air springs to raise the ride height? —Eric Stafford
Someone with money at this office needs to buy this. —Austin Irwin
It’s everything you’d want in a luxury wagon. —Annie White
30,000-Mile Update
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: station wagons are better than SUVs. Our long-term Mercedes-Benz E450 wagon continues to prove this as it excels at seemingly every task we throw its way. We’ve now passed the 30,000-mile mark, and the entire C/D staff agrees that this car is a lot sportier and just as utilitarian as many supposed sport-utility vehicles.
The E-class wagon has 35 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats and up to 64 cubes with the rear seats folded. (It even has a rear-facing third row of seats that brings total seating capacity to seven). Editors have filled this space up with all manner of items, and all marvel at the way that the E450 combines this practical nature with dynamic excellence and unbeatable luxury.
Senior editor Eric Tingwall said he usually signs out SUVs for long trips so that he can bring along his “unnecessarily huge” dog crate, but it fit just fine in the E450 for a trip he took to Chicago. He gushed about how nice it was to be driving something lower to the ground, “The ride and body control are just right in this car. Perfect, really.” Research editor Beth Nichols wisely reserved the car for her wedding weekend and boasted that she was able to fit her wedding dress, gifts, and a few long pieces of copper pipe for a chuppah with plenty of room to spare. And chief brand officer Eddie Alterman remarked how easily the E450 dispatches curvy mountain roads even with a full load of luggage in back.
This wagon even can go off road—sort of. Road test editor Charlie Dryer utilized the car’s adjustable air suspension when he encountered some two-track dirt roads in northern Michigan. Who needs a Jeep when you can lightly traverse adverse terrain in comfort with the E450 when its suspension is fully raised for extra ground clearance? In Europe, Mercedes-Benz even sells a version of the E-class wagon called the All-Terrain with a suspension lift and some extra body cladding, in the vein of competitors’ such as the Volvo V90 Cross Country and the Audi A6 Allroad. We’re just fine with the classier, unsullied version that Mercedes-Benz sells here.
A relatively expensive visit for the Benz’s 30,000-mile scheduled maintenance drained our wallet of $333 and included an oil change and several inspections. Otherwise the E450 has been entirely trouble-free, and its average fuel mileage has stayed steady at 22 mpg, spot on its EPA combined rating.
Months in Fleet: 13 months Current Mileage: 31,763 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 22 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 21.1 gal Observed Fuel Range: 460 miles
Service: $1290 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0
Damage and Destruction: $0
20,000-Mile Update
The main issue many of our editors have with our long-term 2019 Mercedes-Benz E450 wagon is that they don’t get to drive it as often as they’d like. More than any other long-termer in our fleet, this delectable Benz has been in high demand since it arrived. Those staffers who heretofore had been out of luck in properly experiencing the E-class are just getting the opportunity to snag a night in it as its odometer passes the 20,000-mile mark, and they have some things to say.
Copy editor Beth Nichols was thrilled to finally get her chance in the E-class wagon. She mostly gushed over the car but did find a nit to pick: after setting up her seating position, she noticed that the steering wheel partly obscured the gauge cluster. She then admitted this was a “first-world problem,” given the otherwise sumptuous atmosphere that pervades the E450’s cabin.
Driving the E-class was worth the wait for assistant online editor Daniel Golson, too. He was quite complimentary overall but did dispute the way we spec’d our E wagon. While opining that we should have chosen the Luxury Styling appearance package with its hood ornament and extra chrome, for a more traditional look, he also lamented that the 2019 E450 is not available with the Piedmont Green Metallic paint offered on the 2018 E400 wagon (ours is finished in Lunar Blue Metallic). Taking the ungratefulness a step further, he then expressed sadness that the United States is denied the inline-six–powered AMG E53 wagon that our neighbors in Canada are lucky enough to get. Given that Mercedes does offer U.S. buyers the privilege of buying the 603-hp AMG E63 S, we’re thinking that the next time he’s fortunate enough to drive our E450, Golson needs to call up the 1969 Rolling Stones hit “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” which would surely sound great on the E450’s Burmester audio system.
After his turn in the E450, print director Tony Quiroga offered some sage advice that almost seemed targeted at the AMG-hungry Golson. “For those who don’t get the appeal of a Benz, drive this car. Still don’t get it? Wait a few years, mature, and there’s no doubt this car and its slightly lazy dynamics will make perfect sense.”
We don’t want to jinx anything, given what happened to our last E-class wagon, but this E450 has seen smooth—if somewhat costly—sailing through the first half of its test. At a 20,000-mile scheduled-maintenance visit, our dealership performed an oil change, replaced the cabin air filter, rotated the tires, flushed the brake fluid, replaced the wiper blades, and inspected the car. This rang up a bill of $704, more than double that of the E450’s 10,000-mile service.
Months in Fleet: 8 months Current Mileage: 20,640 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 22 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 21.1 gal Observed Fuel Range: 460 miles
Service: $957 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0
Damage and Destruction: $0
10,000-Mile Update
Our long-term 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-class wagon brings a sense of occasion to our daily lives. We feel special whenever we drive this classy E-class, and the practical aura that its longroof body adds to the equation only makes it easier to enjoy. With a hair over 12,000 miles on its odometer, our drivers have repeatedly praised its front-seat comfort as well as its solid sense of straight-ahead on longer treks, including jaunts from Ann Arbor to Chicago and back.
And because this Mercedes projects such elegance and affluence, we also tend to reserve the E-class for our most special outings. When assistant buyer’s guide editor Eric Stafford needed a car for a trip to northern Michigan to propose to his girlfriend, the E450 was the obvious choice (and if you’re wondering, she said yes).
Stafford reported that he and his fiancée “enjoyed every minute spent in it,” though we’re sure the excitement of the engagement contributed somewhat to this impression. The car’s height-adjustable air springs came in handy for the happy couple as they navigated unplowed snowy roads, as did its 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 tires. The only issue they encountered was with the car’s passive-entry function, which can be inconsistent, sometimes requiring the driver to manually unlock the doors with the key fob. Another driver noticed that the system seems to be very sensitive to where the key is on your person when reaching to open the door, noting that the door unlocked more reliably with the key in a front pocket as opposed to a back pocket or in a purse.
Another logbook commenter found storage cubbies to be lacking, as filling the front cupholders with cups blocks the usefully sized bin located behind them. Nothing more significant has befallen the E450, with its only dealer visit being its 10,000-mile service, which included an oil change and several inspections for a fairly steep $253.
Our average fuel economy has stayed consistent at 22 mpg, which matches the EPA’s combined estimate. The large 21.1-gallon fuel tank means that we can easily go 450 miles between fill-ups, and 500-plus-mile stints are within reach at highway speeds—our record so far is 521 miles on a single tank.
Months in Fleet: 5 months Current Mileage: 12,006 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 22 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 21.1 gal Observed Fuel Range: 460 miles
Service: $253 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0
Damage and Destruction: $0
Introduction
When we received the first of our long-term Mercedes-Benz E-class wagons, we said that it “may just be the most well-rounded new car on the market.” But not long after our 2018 E400 4Matic wagon arrived at C/D HQ, Mercedes-Benz announced an even better version: the 2019 E450 4Matic wagon, which brought a few welcome tweaks including a more powerful V-6 engine.
So maybe fate was at work when a moving truck took our E400 out of commission in the parking lot of a Buffalo Wild Wings. That loss was assuaged when Mercedes-Benz showed up with a shiny new 2019 E450 wagon as a replacement. And we’re now so enamored with the new wagon that we’ve almost forgotten what happened to its predecessor.
Quicker and better equipped, this particular E450 is an evolutionary improvement over an already excellent E-class wagon that didn’t need much improving. The 33 extra horsepower and 15 additional lb-ft of torque from the E450’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 help hustle it to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and a through the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds, each an improvement of 0.2 second over the E400. The E450 also surpasses the E400 in cornering grip (at 0.91 g) and braking (stopping from 70 mph in 152 feet), thanks to a staggered set of Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 summer tires versus the other car’s square set of all-seasons. (We’ve since swapped out the E450’s Dunlops for a $1230 set of Mercedes-spec Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 tires for the cold-weather season.)
Oh, and did we mention that the E450 wagon is a lot more expensive? After conservatively optioning our E400, we threw caution to the wind this time and embraced the E-class’s luxurious nature. At $89,175, the as-tested price is nearly $12,000 higher. Among many new options, a $2250 Driver Assistance package adds adaptive cruise control and numerous other driving aids, an $850 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster modernizes the dash, and the $4900 Designo interior option transforms the cabin with a delightful combination of Saddle Brown and Macchiato Beige nappa leather. A set of $198 winter floor mats from WeatherTech is already in place to protect the light-colored carpets.
There are few greater pleasures in autodom than sinking into those massaging nappa leather seats, resting your arm on the heated armrest, and relaxing into a cosseting drive home after a long day at work. Comments in the E450’s logbook have been overwhelmingly positive so far, describing the car as “delectably beautiful” and “lovely all the way around.” We’re really hoping that this E-class wagon goes the 40,000-mile distance—and we’ll make sure to keep this lovely vehicle far away from any Buffalo Wild Wings parking lots.
Months in Fleet: 2 months Current Mileage: 4080 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 22 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 21.1 gal Fuel Range: 460 miles
Service: $0 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0
Damage and Destruction: $0