- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.9DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
143kW, 400Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 5.7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain first drive review
Mercedes-Benz Australia is so confident of the abilities of its new E220d All Terrain it seems set to become the only wagon variant of the E-Class available for sale in this country.
The high-riding, all-wheel-drive wagon version of the E-Class will arrive locally in the middle of next year and is aimed at tempting buyers away from other similar crossovers, especially Audi's A6 Allroad.
According to Mercedes' Australian spokesman David McCarthy, sales of the conventional E-Class wagon have slid to such an extent in Australia that it is unlikely to ask its German parent to build a version for Australia and will concentrate on marketing the All Terrain instead.
"We're selling about 100 Estates a year and at those numbers and in that segment it becomes increasingly difficult to get a return on what it costs for compliance," he said.
"I think if the All Terrain didn't exist it becomes increasingly harder to sell an Estate in that segment. That's why Audi has basically deserted it and stuck with the Allroad because that way you get both buyers."
Given the specification of the 220d All Terrain, those buyers are people looking for a luxury wagon and those who don't mind the idea of an SUV but want a car that falls somewhere in between.
Powered by Mercedes' new generation 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, the 220d All Terrain also comes with the company's 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and adjustable air suspension that, along with higher profile tyres, gives 29mm of extra ground clearance over the standard E-Class.
Its suspension can be lifted by a further 20mm at speeds of up to 35km/h if a rough road becomes even rockier and the driver needs to crawl over moderately sized obstacles.
There are also a few body mods to give the large wagon a more rugged outdoor look, such as the obligatory unpainted wheelarch extensions, a simplified grille and protection for the rear bumper when loading sports gear into the luggage compartment.
Although pricing has not been set for the All Terrain's Australian launch, McCarthy said the company was keen to sell it here for around $110,000.
That's slightly less than the more powerful, V6 diesel-powered Audi A6 Allroad but just as significantly, about $25,000 more than Mercedes' own entry level GLE 250d mid-sized SUV.
What's immediately apparent when driving the 220d All Terrain though, is that it is vastly more car-like and refined than virtually any conventional SUV could hope to be.
A large degree of its relaxed (and relaxing) demeanour comes from the engine which is so quiet and smooth it is virtually impossible to detect that it's a diesel, at least from inside the cabin.
Add to that the syrupy shifts of the nine-speed conventional automatic gearbox and tall ratios that mean low revs at cruising speeds and the result is a drivetrain erring far more towards the luxury rather than the off-road end of the spectrum.
Its combined fuel consumption figure of 5.2 L/100km indicates this should be more economical than most large wagons, although the tank capacity of 57 litres could be more generous for an extended driving range.
With 143kW of power and 400Nm of torque, performance is adequate rather than ample however. Mercedes claims it will hit 100km/h from standstill in 8.0 seconds, which compares with the six-cylinder A6 Allroad's time of 7.3 seconds.
Like most diesels, maximum power and torque outputs are produced low in the rev range so there's adequate grunt from low speeds but this is a car weighing more than two tonnes and full acceleration or climbing highway hills requires the driver to bury the right boot.
A more powerful 190kW 350d version of the All Terrain is available in Europe, but is not being considered initially for Australia given a projected price of around $140,000 making it less likely to sell in sufficient numbers.
But it's the suppleness of the air-sprung suspension that perhaps best defines the All Terrain's 220d's character. It simply cushions most of what any road can throw at it quietly and efficiently, which not only makes for great comfort in normal driving but an ability to lope along the rough or unpaved roads for which it was designed.
The all-wheel-drive system delivers torque split 45/55 to the front and rear wheels in normal conditions and again comes into its own on wet, unmade or snowy roads where it ensures traction is maintained when accelerating from standstill or out of corners.
In really low speed off road conditions and the driving mode slotted into All Terrain mode for extra ground clearance there's a surprising amount of off road ability up steepish, rutted tracks provided the owner wants to risk scratching a pristine paint job.
Seeing as this is probably the only version of the E-Class wagon we'll be getting, it's worth mentioning the load area is usefully large and, without an SUV's exaggerated proportions, easily accessed from a relatively low load lip.
The cargo bay is relatively wide but low, given the E-Class wagon's swoopy styling at the rear and hold 640 litres or another 30 litres with the back seat inclined forward by 10 degrees. That seat has a 40/20/40 split, allowing for a variety of passenger and cargo-carrying combinations.
From the driver's seat it's all pretty much E-Class sedan, unless they want to squint into the footwell to see the somewhat pointless drilled metal pedal covers.
There's two big, wide displays both for driving instrumentation and a central unit for functions such as navigation, entertainment, airflow and even the forces acting on and traction available to all four wheels during off-road maneouvres.
And while the E220d All Terrain is probably only moderately capable as a bush-basher, for on road driving it is something of a peach. No ball of fire admittedly, but tremendously comfortable, refined, economical and secure. If it's what Mercedes reckons some us need in an E-Class wagon, then it definitely does the job.
For 2017 Mercedes-Benz All-Terrain E220d pricing and specifications
On sale: Mid 2017
Price: From $110,000 (estimated) plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo diesel
Power: 143kW at 3800rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1600rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 5.2L/100km