Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate Review 2024

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate At A Glance

5/5
Honest John Overall Rating
For a premium estate car that sets a new benchmark for luxury, practicality and is on par with its rivals when it comes to handling, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class might just be worth the extra.

+Stylish and well-equipped, impressive official fuel economy, has one of the biggest boots in its class.

-More expensive to buy than any of its premium rivals, powerful models are pricey and thirsty, Premium package required

New prices start from £45,385
Insurance Groups are between 28–50
On average it achieves 89% of the official MPG figure

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate is often regarded as the benchmark large premium estate cars, intended to compete with rivals such as the BMW 5 Series Touring, Audi A6 Avant and the Volvo V90. As with the E-Class saloon, the Estate offers the latest in Mercedes-Benz technology and quality, with the additional space that estate buyers are looking for.

It also comes with a large range of engine options including diesel hybrids, and four-wheel-drive on the most powerful diesel option. Comfortable, refined and well equipped, the E-Class Estate is a desirable option - if you can afford it.

If you’ve already read our review on the excellent new Mercedes E-Class saloon, then you could be forgiven for thinking the estate variant is more of the same only with a bit more space. And you’d be right – although there’s much more to this premium German estate than its capacity to devour your Louis Vuitton luggage.

But we’ll get to that later. First of all, we do need to talk about the load space – all 1820 litres of it (or 640 litres with the seats up). That’s impressive. It will take a pallet. Or your golf bag(s). And it's better than its main rivals, the BMW 5 Series Touring and Audi A6 Avant. In fact, we reckon only the Skoda Superb Estate is able to offer more space.

The E-Class Estate also looks fantastic. Gone are the days when creating an estate variant just meant randomly tacking on some more metal from the rear pillars backwards.

For the E-Class wagon, the designers kept the saloon’s front end with its long snout, but from the centre pillar it’s all estate. Like the Audi A6, it uses steeply raked windows and a short rear overhang to create an impression of sportiness.

So is the Mercedes-Benz load lugger all show and no go? Not at all. Even though the UK only gets diesel power, both (there are only two) engines are excellent. The 220 d is powered by a brand new 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit that’s good for 194PS while returning an official 67mpg. The 350d uses a 3.0-litre V6 that produces 258PS and returns a claimed 52mpg.

If you want a petrol, then you’ll have to opt for the AMG version. The E43 AMG engine has already appeared in the C-Class and here is coupled to a full-time four-wheel drive system to help cope with the 401PS from the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6. An E63 AMG will follow and although no figures are available, you can expect it to put out some serious grunt.

Prices for the AMG start at well over £50,000 while it will cost close to £37,000 for an entry-level version of the E-Class estate. That’s more than its premium rivals, but standard kit includes navigation, LED headlights, automatic tailgate, keyless entry, DAB radio, heated seats and 17-inch alloys.

There are only two trim levels available, so take a step up to AMG Line and you’ll pay around £40,000 for 19-inch wheels, three-spoke steering wheel and some leathery bits and bobs. 

Ask Honest John

Best car to replace a 2011 Mercedes-Benz Estate with?

"I want to replace my 2011 Mercedes-Benz Estate and I am wondering about buying another Mercedes or perhaps an Audi A4 or Volvo V60 as perhaps my final ICE car. What would you suggest? And would a much cheaper Skoda Octavia Estate provide as much refinement and comfort as any of those? "
If refinement and comfort is a priority we'd err towards either the Volvo V60 or a newer Mercedes E or C-Class estate. It's not that the A4 is uncomfortable, it's that it has a slightly firmer ride than the others (particularly in S-Line trim). The Skoda Octavia is a very good car but no, it won't quite match your E-Class for refinement and comfort because it has firmer suspension and less sound insulation. It's worth giving one a test drive to see if that's a big issue.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Which tyres should I fit to Mercedes-Benz E 220d 4Matic estate?

"I have recently bought a Mercedes-Benz E 220d 4Matic estate with run-flat 245/40 R19 fronts and 275/35 R19 rears. The local roads are disintegrating and hilly and I would like to have all-season run-flat tyres on wheels that don't threaten to shake the fillings of my teeth. What could you recommend? (245/45 R18 front and rear?) Would this require any other changes to the vehicle? What would this mean to insurance?"
If you find the ride quality unbearably hard then I think you need to consider swapping the run-flats for standard tyres. Run-flats have a rock-hard sidewall that transfers a lot of vibration to the cabin. Simply swapping one brand of run-flats for another will do little to improve the ride quality, in my opinion.
Answered by Dan Powell

What's the best estate car for sale right now?

"What is the best estate caron sale right now?"
If you need a mid-size estate, I'd say Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. For anything larger, I'd go with Skoda Superb Estate or Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate.
Answered by Dan Powell

What's the best large estate car for under £35,000?

"I have a 2016 Skoda Superb hatchback, which I’ve been really pleased with but now what to change it for a large estate car that's up to two years old and priced under £35,000. I’ve looked at the Superb Estate which would be fine, but wondered what else I should consider? "
The Skoda Superb is one of the best large estate cars on the market right now. However, if you want a more premium experience, you may want to consider the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate, which is more comfortable and better to drive than the Superb: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mercedes-benz/e-class-estate-s213-2016/
Answered by Dan Powell
More Questions

What does a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate cost?