Spacious load-hauler debuts in Europe with EQS-inspired looks, but Aussie launch not on the agenda
The new-generation 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon has been unwrapped in Europe, revealing a sleeker, more spacious and tech-laden rival to the BMW 5 Series Touring.
The new E-Class load-hauler remains an appealing alternative to an SUV, not to mention the sixth-generation E-Class sedan that’s due to launch here early next year, but both the standard wagon and the more rugged All-Terrain all-wheel drive version remain off limits to Australian buyers – as per the previous generation.
For the latest instalment, the E-Class wagon grows in size, measuring 4949mm long, 1880mm wide and standing 1469mm tall.
It also has a 22mm-longer wheelbase (2961mm) to provide more cabin space and as much as 615 litres of cargo space. Rear seats down, this extends further to an impressive 1830 litres.
Those figures are for regular combustion-engined models; if you choose the plug-in hybrid model the boot volume drops to 460 litres, or 1675 litres with the rear seats dropped.
Featuring styling cues borrowed from the new Mercedes-Benz EQE and EQS, the wagon shares the sedan’s gloss black trim that links the grille with the scalloped headlights. The same flush-fitting door handles are also employed, helping provide a commendable drag coefficient of just 0.26Cd.
From launch in Europe, the E-Class wagon will be offered with either a 150kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol or 145kW/440Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel.
A third 230kW/550Nm plug-in hybrid powertrain will also be available that’s centred around the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and is said to offer an all-electric range of up to 113km, thanks to its large 24.5kWh battery pack.
Later on, a more powerful 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel will join the range, plus two high-performance versions that will power the both the E 53 and top-shelf E 63 super-wagon.
Inside, the latest E-Class wagon benefits from all the new tech introduced on the advanced sedan.
This includes the new optional Superscreen digital dash that provides the front passenger with their own huge interface, in addition to the central MBUX infotainment screen that now uses augmented reality, a voice assistant and offers online music streaming.
There’s also a new series of digital apps that includes Tik Tok, Angry Birds and Zoom, while AI learns the driver’s habits and routines, suggesting specific functions and even traffic advice if it thinks it knows where you’re going.
Another benefit of the new wagon is all models come with single-chamber air suspension as standard, which is combined with adaptive dampers.
The new wagon can also now tow up to 2100kg.
The All-Terrain version hasn’t yet been revealed but it’s expected to debut later this year. A follow-up to the wild E-Class 4×4² that was shown off back in 2017 isn’t likely.
Sadly, Mercedes-Benz Australia has no plans to offer the wagon versions of the all-new sixth-generation W214 E-Class.
In our market, the E-Class wagon hasn’t been offered since the W212 fourth-generation version was axed back in 2015, although the high-riding E-Class All-Terrain wagon did come here in the fifth-gen guise from 2016 to 2020.
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Keyword: 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon unveiled