While some luxury SUVs get a bad rap for not being tough enough to handle some of the dirtier situations they can be placed in by their owners, Mercedes’ new E-Class All-Terrain sedan takes on the persona of a true offroading vehicle while offering the lavish styling that fans have become accustomed to from the German brand.
The All-Terrain earns a new, sturdier plastic and chrome front bumper, a higher ride on 19 or 20-inch wheels with standard air suspension, and a tougher-looking grille.
Featuring changes from the E-Class Estate model that is perfect for cruising, the All-Terrain’s ride height is 1.14 inches higher than its predecessor, and with a variety of driving modes, the new Mercedes E-Class edition can rise up to another 1.4 inches to offer clearance at a range of 4.8 to 6.1 inches. Each setting for adjusting the All-Terrain’s ground clearance also tweaks the traction and stability control of the SUV, creating an optimized and safer model in the process.
Mercedes has given the E-Class All-Terrain a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine that makes 194 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. With a zero-to-62 mph time of 8 seconds, the All-Terrain isn’t exactly fast, but with this model that isn’t as important.
However, Mercedes plans to give the vehicle a more powerful six-cylinder power source later in the production run. Both engines will send their power through a 9-speed transmission that is designed to reduce CO2 emissions.
The interior of the All-Terrain is much like that of the E-Class Estate, with all of the same luxuries as its SUV sibling.
Mercedes plans on bringing the E-Class All-Terrain to its sales floors in the second quarter of 2017.