The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate: A Stylish and Practical Wagon
Mercedes-Benz has been producing aspirational wagons for almost 50 years, and the new E-Class Estate is no exception. The latest W214 load lugger, set to go on sale in Europe this fall, features an athletic-looking plunging roofline that gives the Estate a dynamic appearance. The new design is reminiscent of the old X218-code CLS Shooting Brake, with swollen rear fenders and a pronounced crease above each rear wheel arch. However, the famous three-pointed star displayed either on or above a black-framed (and optionally illuminated) grille, and the same star repeated four times over in the LED taillights, make it clear that this is a Mercedes-Benz.
More Legroom, Less Luggage Room
Despite the sportier, more stylish design, practicality has not taken a hit in the process. Mercedes can reel off a ton of measurements to prove that the new car has fractionally more interior space in every measurement except front shoulder room (which is unchanged), and delivers tangible improvements in rear legroom, largely down to a 0.87-in (22 mm) wheelbase stretch. However, comparing trunk dimensions of the old and new wagons shows that the new car has sacrificed a little space for style. While the seats-down figures say capacity has improved almost imperceptibly from 64.2 to 64.6 cu-ft (1,820-1,830 liters), with the rear seats in place it actually falls back from 22.6 to 21.7 cu-ft (640-615 liters).
PHEV Electric Range Has Doubled
The sole PHEV option in the Euro lineup for this fall’s introduction is the E300e, which combines a 201 hp (204 PS) 2.0-liter, four-cylinder petrol with a 95 kW (127 hp / 129 PS) electric motor mounted inside the nine-speed automatic transmission. A total system output of 308 hp (312 PS) delivers the PHEV from zero to 62 mph (100 kmh) in 6.5 seconds, and the 25.4 kWh battery is claimed to offer over 62 miles (100 km) of driving range – that’s more than double the range of the PHEV it replaces. Mercedes says more four-cylinder PHEVs with both diesel and petrol engines will come to Europe later, as will a six-cylinder diesel, but initially, the only other engine options are two 2.0-liter mild hybrids. The E200 (201 hp / 204 PS) and E220d diesel (194 hp / 197 PS) are both lifted straight from the sedan and feature a 17 kW (23 hp / 23 PS) instead of 15 kW (20 hp / 20 PS) e-motor this time around.
Selfie Camera and Auto Parking are Standard
The E-Class Estate comes loaded with tech, starting with the standard MBUX Superscreen dashboard display that can be extended to the passenger side of the car as an option. The passenger display can stream TV and video content, even on the move, but any time a driver tries to glance across and sneak a look, a camera will spot the move and dim the screen to spoil the fun. There’s also a selfie camera and Zoom and Webex app compatibility allowing video conferencing when the car is parked up to keep business types productive, and the infotainment screen can show TikTok and games like Angry Birds for people looking to avoid work altogether. A new Sound Visualization system translates the sound of music and effects from films and apps being played through the Hi-Fi into pulses from the Active Ambient Lighting setup.
Other potentially more useful tech includes Digital Key (now for both Apple and Android) and an automated parking system, both of which are fitted as standard. That kind of parking has to be done with the driver in the car, but upgrades to remote parking (via smartphone) and memory parking (which can store 5 different maneuvers) are available optionally, as is pre-installation for automatic valet parking, though that’s dependent on the passing of relevant laws and suitable parking garages being built with the right hardware.
Conclusion
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate is a stylish and practical wagon that offers more legroom and improved interior space. The PHEV electric range has doubled, and the car comes loaded with tech, including a selfie camera, Zoom and Webex app compatibility, and an automated parking system. The E-Class Estate is a great option for those looking for a premium wagon instead of a typical SUV.