2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 Wagon: First Look

CARS.COM

Competes with: Volvo V90, BMW X5, Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLE

Looks like: The new E-Class with room for junk in the trunk

Drivetrains: 329-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6; nine-speed automatic; all-wheel drive

Hits dealers: Early 2017

Related: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: First Impressions

Wagons are scarce these days, but they’re much loved by those who don’t want the truckiness of an SUV or tall ride height of a crossover. For those of you who simply must have a wagon, we have good news: Mercedes-Benz has announced a new version of its E-Class wagon is coming to the U.S. The 2017 E400 Wagon is based on the updated E-Class sedan, which will  go on sale later this year; the wagon will follow early next year.

Exterior

The new E400 Wagon will look familiar to anyone who’s seen the pretty new E-Class sedan; from the B-pillar forward, it’s the same car. You can even get the Luxury model’s radiator-style grille or opt for the Sport model’s lower-profile style, with the star badge in the grille itself. It’s the same sleek Mercedes-Benz style that debuted on the S-Class and has since been praised on the CLA, C, GLE, GLS, GLC, etc.

From the front doors rearward, a tall but sleek wagon body has been added, which Mercedes-Benz says was crafted with an eye toward utility every bit as much as any of the brand’s SUVs. The tailgate hatch features powered opening and closing as standard, and if you opt for the Keyless-Go and Hands-Free Access, you can open and close it with a kick of your foot under the bumper.

Interior

Inside is the sedan’s beautiful interior with the same top-notch materials. Like the sedan, you can also equip the E400 Wagon with two 12.3-inch screens that create a reconfigurable cockpit inspired by the S-Class. There are several two-tone leather options and some truly striking wood color combinations as well.

The real story inside is the wagon’s cargo- and people-hauling abilities. It seats five with a standard second-row bench seat that folds in a 40-20-40 split, electrically operable via switches in the cargo area. A cover and net are also present to help keep loads in place; the cover automatically activates in conjunction with the tailgate’s operation.

In the third row, a folding rear-facing bench seat is standard, allowing a couple of kids or small adults to make faces at the traffic behind you (and if you grew up in a big American station wagon, you know all about this). The third row increases the E400 Wagon’s total passenger capacity up to seven.

Under the Hood

One powertrain will be available in the U.S.: a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 making 329 hp mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive is standard. The engine is a detuned version of the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 that powers the E43 AMG sedan, where it makes 396 hp. Now the bad news: There will be no E43 AMG Wagon for the U.S. market, but Mercedes-Benz has said that this doesn’t mean there won’t be another AMG version of the wagon available in the States. We hope this means that the fire-breathing E63 AMG Wagon will eventually grace our shores.

Standard on the wagon is a rear air suspension for load-leveling capability, or you can upgrade to air suspension at all four corners with the Air Body Control option.

Safety

Like the E-Class sedan, the wagon is loaded with active safety features, and even some of the most advanced autonomous driving aids. Active Brake Assist is standard, providing forward collision avoidance with autonomous emergency braking, as is a pedestrian detection system. You can opt for the Drive Pilot system as well, a semi-autonomous driving system that uses the Distronic automatic cruise control to maintain distances from other vehicles, even adjusting to speeds that far exceed speed limits on U.S. roads.

Look for the new E400 Wagon in dealerships early next year; pricing will be announced closer to its on-sale date.