2018 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain
Car Tested: 2018 Mercedes E220d All-Terrain; Road Test No. 997; Test Location: Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. Rs. 94,15,995/-
The E-Class All-Terrain’s trump card isn’t its looks but the added practicality it offers
When the market is saturated with the same bodystyle, a.k.a. sedans and SUVs, it’s always nice to try something new. An estate isn’t a new idea to India, we have had plenty of them in the past, right from Tata Motors and Fiat in the mass market segment to Audi and Volvo in the luxury space and now it’s time for Mercedes-Benz to take a dig at this segment with the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain but will it work?
The rear of the estate looks rather simple
Exteriors – The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain looks attractive at the front (thanks to the new grille) as it gets changes to the bumpers with claddings on top of all the wheels (which are big sized at 19-inches, running a low 45 profile). The All-Terrain is still a very long car and doesn’t carry any sort of flamboyance like the Audi RS6 Avant does. In fact, the black treatment running all around the lower section of the car gives it a good balance and helps it hide its girth. The rear gets a scuff plate with fake exhausts too and this isn’t a car which will turn heads.
The design of the dashboard is shared with the sedan
Interiors – Step inside and the E-Class All-Terrain will remind you of the regular E-Class sedan with the interior being very similar, although darker here. So quality levels are splendid, there are plenty of features too but the instrument cluster feels too basic in these times of fully digital units that its rivals offer. Another glaring omission is the lack of touch inputs for the COMMAND infotainment screen which is otherwise a well designed unit with rich colours and plenty of things to fiddle around with (we absolutely love the Ambient lighting). But you don’t feel you are in an All-Terrain as the seating position is the same as the regular E-Class.
The rear seats offer lesser space than the E sedan
The attention to detail reminds you as to why a Mercedes is a Mercedes
The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain is based on the regular E-Class, not the long wheel base version that is exclusively sold in India in right hand drive guise. Thus, it’s not as spacious in the rear although space is decent enough for two passengers. The rear seat misses out on the recline function and we definitely missed the soft pillows on the rear headrests. Where this E-Class shines though is the boot as there is plenty of space, even below the floor where you can stuff in knick-knacks. Disappointingly, there is no spare wheel (at least on our test car) and Mercedes is likely to put it on top in the boot floor, thereby robbing practicality of the boot (you can also fold the rear seats with a touch of a button). This car gets a powered tail-gate, a feature that even the flagship S-Class lacks!
The diesel engine is BS6 compliant
Performance – The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain is powered by the same 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine that puts out an identical 194 HP and 400 Nm, honestly, we expected a bigger engine in this Estate. However, where it differs from the sedan is the fact that it complies with upcoming BS6 emission norms even on BS4 fuel, yes, this is the first Mercedes car powered by the 220d oil burner to meet the upcoming BS6 norms in India.
Performance from the 2.0-litre diesel isn’t very exciting
The All-Terrain feels the best on part throttle, gaining pace strongly in silence
As expected from a car with the three-pointed star, the motor is very refined and silent and doesn’t make much noise even when you push it near its 5000 RPM redline. Power delivery is linear, turbo lag is well contained and the mid-range feels strong. The 9-speed gearbox is smooth with shifts but isn’t the quickest and one can manually take control of cogs using the steering mounted paddles. There is a stop-start system as well and this powerplant is frugal enough to return upwards of 12 km/l in spite of the 1900 kgs weight, yes, the E-Class has gained weight due to the 4-wheel drive system and that blunts performance on full throttle. There are 5 driving modes – Eco, Comfort, Sport, Individual and All Terrain which alter the engine, gearbox, steering and suspension.
The All-Terrain can traverse through mud thanks to 4MATIC
Driving Dynamics – This E-Class in All-Terrain mode increases the ride height by 35 mm and makes the 4MATIC system ready for action. You can also raise the ride height with the touch of a button but it automatically lowers once you cross 35 km/hr. The ground clearance isn’t much and with that long wheelbase, it’s not a car you would happily go off-road in. However, it feels surefooted on mud and muck, provided you know what you are doing as the ESP is just too intrusive and when you turn it off, it still doesn’t shut completely.
This estate offers a confident driving experience
The All-Terrain handles better than the regular E-Class, it’s more capable too thanks to 4MATIC
The air suspension on the All-Terrain is on the stiffer side and doesn’t feel as soft as the regular E-Class, it just feels right with much better body control and composure over high speeds. Aiding grip at all times is the 4MATIC system, even on wet roads, there is no loss of traction and the E-Class maintains its line well through corners, albeit with some body roll. However, the steering is just fab, more so in Sports mode as it weighs up brilliantly, offering great amount of feel and feedback. The brakes, as expected, offer surefooted stopping power.
The E-Class All-Terrain will appeal to a niche segment
Verdict – The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain is a more practical version of the E-Class, only in the sense that it offers a bigger boot and 4-wheel drive, the latter not being of much use unless you hate SUVs and want to go off-roading in an estate. Aimed squarely at the better kitted Volvo V90 Cross Country which also happens to look more appealing, the E-Class All-Terrain is going to find it hard to attract buyers in India as most are averse to estates. With Mercedes having the fantastic E-Class sedan on one side and the GLE on the other side, all the USPs of the All-Terrain are better offered by the latter, making us wonder if a go-fast version of the All-Terrain would have made drastically more sense?
As expected from a Merc, the car has great quality all around
What’s Cool
* Excellent quality in and out
* More practical than the E-Class sedan
* Driving dynamics similar to sedan
What’s Not So Cool
* 220d tune isn’t too exciting
* General acceptance of estates in Indians
* Looks a bit plain-jane
Alternatives: Volvo V90 Cross Country
How many of you like estates?
Testers’ Note:
Further Reading –
Mercedes E-Class LWB Review
Mercedes E-Class LWB Video Review
Mercedes E220d Review
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