Is the Mercedes-Benz E450 Going to Save the Station Wagon?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain is a station wagon that’s willing to embrace the CUV craze.

Car and Driver reports that the E450 All-Terrain is a station wagon that finally makes an attempt to capture the crossover market. The question is whether it’s too late to save the station wagon in the United States.

Enthusiasts continue to embrace the longroof even as the car-buying public has flocked to CUVs. The overwhelming tide of American consumers eschewing station wagons for crossovers has resulted in the loss of numerous wagons in recent years.

The Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain seeks to embrace the styling cues that previously showed up on other rugged-looking wagons like the Audi Allroad and Volkswagen Alltrack. Unfortunately, VW has already eliminated the Alltrack from production in the United States. Subaru, the original off-road wagon manufacturer, continues to carry the torch with cars like the Subaru Outback.

These exterior characteristics seek to mimic the sport utility styling that has driven the popularity of crossovers in recent years.

The E450 All-Terrain, compared to its more refined brethren, the Mercedes-AMG E63 S, has increased ground clearance and black plastic cladding. The All-Terrain will also feature the Mercedes-Benz 4Matic all-wheel drive system.

The new Mercedes wagon is powered by an inline-six engine producing 362 horsepower and 369 lbs-ft of torque. There is no indication that the All-Terrain will be offered with a manual transmission. Rather, the only option mentioned is the Mercedes-Benz nine-speed automatic transmission.

Make no mistake, we will always celebrate when automakers decide to release new wagons in the United States. Nonetheless, the luxurious interior of the E450 All-Terrain belies the off-road exterior styling. This particular wagon will likely far exceed the price point of the dearly departed Volkswagen Alltrack.