MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS ESTATE

All-new luxury wagon arrives brandishing unparalleled tech, but to what effect?

- GREG KABLE

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate is the latest instalment in a success story that stretches back almost half a century. It all started with the introduction of the mid-range Mercedes estate in the mid-1970s. Since then, the luxury load hauler has evolved to become an indispensable model in the German car maker's line-up.

The sixth-generation model (codename S214) is bigger than any E-Class Estate before it. It is also more digitally oriented. Choose the appropriate options and the front passenger can stream movies and operate apps on the go via a new touchscreen display that forms part of Mercedes' new immersive Superscreen dash.

With the ability to offer level-four autonomous driving, the new E-Class Estate also brings a driverless valet parking function that allows it to negotiate multistorey car parks on its own where laws allow that. It is arguably the most technically advanced estate car on the road today.

As tradition dictates, the 2024 model shares its front-end styling with the latest E-Class Saloon through to the trailing edge of the B-pillars, but it adds an extended roof with integrated rails as well as a new rear glasshouse and an electronically powered tailgate. It's a smart-looking alternative to the likes of the Audi A6 Avant and BMW 5 Series Touring, especially on the larger wheels of our test car. Those seeking a bolder look can choose optional illumination for the new grille. There are three styling lines, including AMG Line, which figures prominently in the planned UK line-up, on sale later this year.

Dimensionally, it has grown, but not by much. Length is 4949mm (up 4mm), width is 1880mm (up 28mm) and height is 1469mm (up 1mm). The wheelbase has also been lengthened by 22mm to 2961mm and the tracks increased by 30mm to 1634mm at the front and 38mm to 1651mm at the rear.