2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain: The Answer to the Crossover Takeover

The new Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain, unveiled at IAA Mobility Munich 2023

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain made its world premiere at IAA Mobility in Munich in September 2023, completing the E-Class family lineup in the U.S. as the second body style to launch, following the sedan earlier that year. Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius personally introduced the wagon at the Munich event, positioning it as the brand's answer to a market that has largely abandoned wagons for SUVs — without actually building an SUV.

The new car grows over its predecessor in nearly every dimension: it's 1.1 inches wider, 0.9 inches longer overall, and rides on a wheelbase that's grown by 0.87 inches to 116.6 inches — a change that translates directly into an extra inch of rear-seat elbow room. Cargo capacity has grown too, starting at 21.7 cubic feet with all seats up and expanding to a genuinely useful 64.6 cubic feet with the 40:20:40-split rear seats folded flat.

Mercedes is careful about how it frames this car: it isn't marketed as a light-duty crossover, but as a genuine performance wagon that happens to be capable off pavement. That distinction matters for how it drives — the E450 4MATIC variant reaches 100 km/h in as little as 4.6 seconds, a figure that puts it well ahead of most crossovers in its price range.

Design

Visually, the All-Terrain distinguishes itself from the standard E-Class sedan with a purpose-built front end: a two-bar grille finished in Iridium Silver, a model-specific lower bumper with a chrome underride guard, and dark gray cladding around the wheel arches that signals off-road intent without tipping into full SUV styling. A second chrome underride element is fitted at the rear to complete the look. Inside, the All-Terrain-specific touches continue with stainless steel sport pedals and floor mats carrying the All-Terrain logo.

Standard wheels measure 18 inches, with 19- and 20-inch options available depending on trim and market — a detail that shifts slightly between regions, so buyers should confirm exact wheel specifications with their local dealer.

Suspension and off-road capability

AIRMATIC single-chamber air suspension with adaptive ADS+ dampers is standard, not optional — a meaningful inclusion given rivals often charge extra for equivalent hardware. Road-surface sensors continuously adjust damping so that a bump under one wheel doesn't transmit through the whole axle into the cabin, and the system automatically lowers the car by 0.6 inches at speeds above 75 mph to cut wind resistance and improve efficiency in Comfort mode.

For actual light off-roading, the car switches to a dedicated Off-Road driving program that changes both the driver and center displays to show a compass, GPS coordinates, a vehicle-angle indicator, and live tire pressures. A "transparent hood" feature, built on the 360-degree camera system, projects a virtual view of the terrain directly beneath the front of the car — useful for navigating obstacles the driver can't otherwise see over the hood. 4MATIC all-wheel drive is standard across the range, reinforcing that this is genuinely built for light trails and unpaved roads, not just styled to look like it.

Powertrain

The U.S. market gets a single configuration at launch: the E450 4MATIC, powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six paired with a mild-hybrid system. Combined output is 375 horsepower, with the electric assist contributing an extra 23 horsepower during acceleration — enough to push the E450 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, a genuinely quick time for a wagon with real cargo capacity and all-wheel drive. European markets get a broader range of engines, including four-cylinder and diesel plug-in hybrid variants not offered in the U.S.

Technology and interior

Inside, the All-Terrain shares its technology suite with the E-Class sedan, including the optional MBUX Superscreen — a front passenger display that extends the dashboard's screen real estate across the full width of the cabin. Without it, the standard dual-display setup already spans a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.4-inch central touchscreen. The MBUX Entertainment Plus package comes standard, unlocking third-party apps for video conferencing and streaming when the car is parked, along with a Burmester 4D surround sound system and active ambient lighting as available options. A 360-degree camera, Mercedes Digital Key support for iPhone and Apple Watch, and adaptive learning of the driver's comfort preferences round out the tech package.

Standard safety equipment includes Attention Assist, Active Brake Assist, and a parking package with a reversing camera. As is typical for Mercedes, the more advanced driver-assistance features — active lane-keeping, adaptive cruise with steering assist, and similar systems — are bundled into the optional Driver Assistance Package rather than included as standard.

Price and availability

The 2024 E-Class All-Terrain carries a confirmed U.S. starting MSRP of $74,700 before destination charges (which add roughly $1,150), placing it directly against the Volvo V90 Cross Country and Audi A6 allroad — the only other genuine "lifted luxury wagon" alternatives sold in the U.S. First deliveries began arriving at American dealerships in early-to-mid 2024. Notably, the U.S. lineup skips the standard E-Class wagon entirely: for American buyers, the All-Terrain isn't just an off-road-styled trim — it's the only wagon body style Mercedes offers in this market at all.

Watch it in action

For a closer look at the U.S.-spec 2024 E450 All-Terrain on the road, this first-drive review covers the exterior, interior, and driving impressions in detail.