Yahoo Autos 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic Wagon
“It’s like the whole car is lubricated with syrup.” So started the logbook of the E400. It’s an accurate image: The steering, optional air springs ($1900), brakes, shifter, basically everything you touch in the E400 moves with a slow, deliberate, but silken movement. You float over the road, isolated by that Karo coating, barely hearing the strokes of the suspension. None of this makes for the sportiest driving experience. Instead, the E400 wagon impresses with sophistication and refinement, delivering an astonishing level of luxo-cruiser satisfaction, as it ought to with its insane $89,900 as-tested price.
Nothing fazes the E400. Only 64 decibels come in at 70 mph, and kicking it up to 100 barely raises the volume. The twin-turbo V-6 churns out the power with an ease that escapes the others. The run to 60 takes only 5.0 seconds, and the engine returned the best fuel economy (19 mpg). Switching the suspension to Sport stiffens up the old girl, but only to what we’d call Normal mode in any other car. Bending the E400 into corners reveals a willingness to please, as the automatic wakes up and the engine pulls hard on exit. All 0.85 g of grip is usable and the Benz’s body control is better than the Volvo’s, but the syrup in the steering keeps everything cloaked.
The optional Designo interior dresses the cabin in light and dark browns. The top of the dashboard is coated in a Ferrari-like tan leather that Mercedes calls Saddle Brown, while the seats are a lighter cream known as Macchiato Beige. Assembly quality and the materials are commensurate with the price, but it’d be easy to live without the $10,200 Premium 3 package. Downgrading to Premium 2 ($6600) keeps all the P3’s luxury features-including the highly accurate Burmester sound system-and ditches a few safety features we could easily live without, such as cross-traffic collision-avoidance braking, lane-keeping assist, and speed-limit assist. We could also live without the massaging seats ($1320), giant sunroof ($1000), and illuminated doorsills ($350), though we wouldn’t mind keeping the heated armrests and steering wheel ($1050). At least Mercedes provides the rear-facing third row for free.
We tried sitting back there. It’s doable, but adults will be forced into the fetal position. Fold the third row into the floor and the Benz’s upright rear end gives it a slight advantage over the others in the cargo department. Second-row comfort is excellent, but the Benz lacks the kneeroom of the Volvo.
Even at nearly $90,000, a big disadvantage in the scoring, the Mercedes managed to eke out a win. That’s because it offers a better experience than the Volvo. An unshakably solid structure, zero evidence of cost cutting, a V-6 that’s all purrs and punches, and an interior of an even more expensive car are why it’s the winner. Take it easy on the options and the Benz’s price drops closer to that of the Volvo, but the V90 would still lack the cylinders and refinement of the E400. Turns out, the Benz’s syrup is satisfying and sweet.
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