It has a huge cargo area that can actually swell by 6.9 cubic feet, which is partially due to a second-row seatback that can be adjusted more vertically to allow for more cargo room without displacing its occupants.
The E400 wagon looks sharp, particularly dead-on from the rear. The wide, slim taillights stick out from under a chrome brow and draw attention away from the tall roof. In between, there’s the electrically operated rear hatch that goes up and down with a kick under the bumper.
Like many of its E-Class wagon predecessors, the E400’s rear axle gets standard self-leveling air suspension, and Air Body Control air suspension is available if the user wants it on both axles.
The new wagon is also incredibly quiet, something that Mercedes-Benz admits is not easy to do with a large cargo area that can resonate like the body of an acoustic guitar.
There’s nothing too fancy involved in quelling noise because standard wagons get a bunch of extra sounds deadening, and things like the sunroof and door handles have been sealed and redesigned to transmit less wind noise.
There’s an optional Acoustic Comfort Package for US buyers, which adds laminated front and side glass and extra sound deadening material for an even more vault-like experience. Not that there was much noise to transmit in from the smooth roads and bucolic surroundings.