Test-Driving The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic All-Terrain

The versatile luxury wagon offers comfort, performance and off-road capability.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 7:15pm

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The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic All-Terrain is a full-size luxury station wagon that combines elegant styling, a spacious and well-appointed interior, and impressive on-road and mild off-road capabilities. With a powerful hybrid-assisted powertrain, adaptive air suspension, and rugged design cues, the All-Terrain provides a unique blend of luxury, utility, and versatility.

Why it matters

As the popularity of crossovers and SUVs continues to grow, the Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain offers an alternative for those seeking the space and capability of a larger vehicle with the driving dynamics and style of a premium sedan. Its combination of luxury, performance, and off-road-inspired design caters to consumers who want a vehicle that can handle both their daily commute and occasional adventures off the beaten path.

The details

The 2026 E450 All-Terrain features a bold, yet elegant exterior design with LED lighting, a distinctive grille, and rugged fender cladding. Inside, the cabin is adorned in premium Nappa leather and features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a massive 14.4-inch central touchscreen. An optional third screen for the front passenger allows for media and gaming while on the move. The All-Terrain's powertrain consists of a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine paired with a 48V hybrid system, producing a combined 398 horsepower and 530 lb-ft of torque. This potent setup allows the nearly 4,600-pound wagon to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, while still achieving respectable fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.

  • The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic All-Terrain was tested in February 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

The players

Mercedes-Benz

A German luxury automotive brand and a subsidiary of Daimler AG, known for its premium vehicles, innovative technology, and iconic design.

Peter Nelson

An automotive journalist who tested and reviewed the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic All-Terrain for Forbes.com.

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What they’re saying

“While they may seem like relics of a bygone era to some, station wagons can still have a duly fulfilled purpose in our modern, crossover-crazed era.”

— Peter Nelson, Automotive Journalist (Forbes.com)

“Screens, screens, and more screens' has been automakers' strategy for some time now, but prospective buyers may find this to be too much, especially with it not as standard. Hopefully, this sentiment shared by an Audi designer permeates throughout the industry. Tactility and materials quality are true luxury, not a life of endless taps and fingerprints.”

— Peter Nelson, Automotive Journalist (Forbes.com)

What’s next

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic All-Terrain is expected to hit dealerships in the spring of 2026, with test drives and further reviews becoming available as the model year progresses.

The takeaway

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic All-Terrain offers a unique blend of luxury, performance, and versatility in a premium station wagon package. It caters to consumers who want the space and capability of a larger vehicle with the driving dynamics and style of a premium sedan, making it a compelling alternative to the ubiquitous crossover SUV.