For those who appreciate a station wagon equipped with air suspension, all-wheel drive, and luxurious leather interiors, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain stands out. It offers an enticing entry point into the E-Class wagon lineup in the U.S., while also establishing itself as the most versatile model in the series.
But how does it compare against the Audi A6 Allroad?
The E-Class All-Terrain has made a comeback with a fresh generation for the 2024 model year, featuring an elegant design and modern tech, while keeping its essence intact: air suspension, increased ground clearance, and off-road capability. It’s not built for extreme trails; think more along the lines of a weekend ski adventure.
The latest All-Terrain flaunts an attractive design with horizontal headlights that connect to a black grille for a distinctive front. While the overall body design evolves, the rear hatch showcases stylish LED taillights. It’s appealing yet understated, with a bit of flair. The unpainted plastic fender cladding adds to its robust appearance, yet the electronic door handles can be frustratingly unresponsive at times.
Inside, the All-Terrain mirrors the elegance of the E-Class with expanded cargo space and a lack of trunk. The Macchiato Beige leather interior feels worth the as-tested price of $87,960, although the shiny plastic trim detracts from the overall luxury feel. The MBUX Superscreen Package, transforming the entire dashboard into a glass panel with three screens, is an impressive touch, albeit perhaps excessive.
With growing dimensions, the E-Class accommodates both my children comfortably. My daughter, however, was quick to point out that the cup holders in the flip-down center armrest were “too small” for American-sized beverages—a humorous yet telling observation.
Under the hood, the E450 All-Terrain houses a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo inline-six engine complemented by a mild-hybrid system. Together, they produce 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with a nine-speed automatic transmission that shifts seamlessly. The vehicle can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds, exuding a satisfying level of power.
The inline-six engine provides a smooth driving experience, while the automatic transmission maintains a gentle flow. Steering feels light in Comfort mode and responsive, requiring minimal adjustments on the highway. Switching to Sport mode increases the steering feel, but it may feel artificially weighted.
However, the pairing of the air suspension and the all-wheel-drive system leaves some aspects wanting. The suspension lowers 0.6 inches at speeds above 75 mph, enhancing efficiency yet undermining terrain handling. Even when in Off-Road mode—which increases ground clearance to 7.8 inches—the system automatically disengages above 9 mph, limiting its utility. Unlike the Audi A6 Allroad, which allows sustained off-road capability even post power-cycling, the All-Terrain falls short, rendering it less effective in its intended versatility.
Though Off-Road mode provides features like hill descent control and a surround-view camera to navigate obstacles, the primary focus here should simply be stability during adverse weather—especially when heading into snowy conditions.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain is priced at $77,250, additional costs bringing the total to $87,960. This includes various luxury packages, like the MBUX Superscreen and Driver Assistance packages. While it undercuts the plug-in hybrid AMG-badged E 53, it stands at a higher price compared to the Audi A6 Allroad.
For a true all-weather or ski-effort vehicle, the Audi A6 Allroad stands out for its practical features—particularly the ability to elevate and lock the vehicle’s all-wheel drive. In contrast, the E-Class All-Terrain feels more like a wagon with a few off-road flourishes, falling short of its name and potential.
The Drive received this vehicle on loan from Mercedes-Benz for review purposes.
2025 Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain Specs
- Base Price (as-tested Pinnacle Trim): $77,250 ($87,960)
- Powertrain: 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6 mild-hybrid | nine-speed automatic | all-wheel drive
- Horsepower: 375 @ 5,500 to 6,100 rpm
- Torque: 369 lb-ft @ 1,600 to 4,500 rpm
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Curb Weight: 4,575 pounds
- Cargo Volume: 33.1 cubic feet behind second row | 64.6 cubic feet behind first row
- Ground Clearance: Up to 7.8 inches
- 0-60 mph: 4.6 seconds
- Top Speed: 130 mph
- EPA Fuel Economy: 21 mpg city | 31 highway | 25 combined
- Score: 7.5/10
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain is a beautiful wagon that doesn’t quite meet expectations for handling diverse weather and terrain challenges.
