2017 Mercedes-AMG GLE43 vs. 2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 Wagon

From the October 2017 issue

“The good news,” we explained to Mercedes’ tireless public relations man, “is that we can guarantee you a comparo win.”

So there it is, angry letter writers: We do rig these things.

Or at least we did in this apples-to-pears contest, launched with a preconceived notion. It would be a stretch to call it a theory, as that might suggest the application of scientific method. At the onset, though, we hypothesized that pitting an E-class wagon against a similarly sized utility vehicle, the GLE-class, would result in a victory for the former. And it did. But this comparo is not so much about determining a winner as it is about explaining why the wagon won.

Why, indeed? In the hope that we might convince you, the car-buying public (and maybe even the carmaking companies), that station wagons should rightfully account for a greater share of sales against crossovers. Does this qualify as service journalism? Let us answer that. Yes.

We chose to compare Mercedes-Benzes because the all-new 2017 E-class wagon represents the pinnacle of the species, the Benz Mercedes tells us is most favored by those outsize earners in the top tax bracket of 39.6 percent. See? Being rich means you’re smart.

Still, most people shopping for a Benz hauler opt instead for a GLE, which outsells the wagon by a 23-to-1 ratio. The erstwhile M-class, the first Mercedes-Benz SUV offered in the U.S., has since followed the trend in shifting its presentation from off-roader to crossover. While the current iteration has been on the market since the 2012 model year, the name changed from M-class to GLE for 2016 and our AMG GLE43 variant is new for 2017.

Would you give up the superior handling, ride quality, fuel economy, and braking perform­ance of the wagon just to sit 9.1 inches higher in the SUV?

The wagon’s slenderness carries a cost, though. The back seat of the E400, while quite comfortable for two, cannot compare with the roomier GLE43’s. Families with two or more kids will feel the pinch in the wagon, probably quite literally. Putting them in the tiny, rear-facing third row won’t solve the problem—and it seems like the kind of thing that, in today’s parenting climate, might result in a visit from child protective services.

Cargo space swings the other way, however, as the luggage area in the E400 is 5.5 inches deeper and 2.5 inches wider than in the GLE43. Although the E400’s cargo cover is an inch closer to the load floor than in the GLE43, there’s more room for stuff in the wagon because the wheel wells intrude less and the space is oriented more horizontally so you can load more without impeding rearward visibility.

The wagon is also quicker, gets better fuel economy, and stops shorter. It is the all-around better vehicle. Perhaps the only serious criticism we can levy against the E400 is that there’s no real base version. Its $63,225 starting price is over $10,000 more than the least-expensive GLE, which certainly doesn’t help make the wagon attractive to young families. But that’s a function of the market, which is crazy for crossovers. Or maybe just crazy, period.

2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 Wagon2017 Mercedes-AMG GLE43VehiclePrice as Tested$89,065$85,875Base Price$63,225$68,075DimensionsLength194.2 in189.6 inWidth72.9 in78.7 inHeight58.1 in69.3 inWheelbase115.7 in114.8 inFront Track62.7 in65.1 inRear Track63.0 in65.9 inInterior VolumeF: 52 cu ft
R: 47 cu ftF: 53 cu ft
R: 50 cu ftCargo BehindF: 64 cu ft
R: 35 cu ftF: 80 cu ft
R: 38 cu ftPowertrainEnginetwin-turbocharged DOHC 24-valve V-6
183 cu in (2996 cc)twin-turbocharged DOHC 24-valve V-6
183 cu in (2996 cc)Power HP @ RPM329 @ 6000362 @ 6000Torque LB-FT @ RPM354 @ 1600384 @ 2000Redline / Fuel Cutoff6300/6400 rpm6300/6000 rpmLB Per HP13.514.1DrivelineTransmission9-speed automatic9-speed automaticDriven WheelsallallGear Ratio:1/
MPH Per 1000 RPM/
Max MPH1 5.35/5.1/33
2 3.24/8.4/54
3 2.25/12.1/77
4 1.64/16.5/106
5 1.21/22.4/130
6 1.00/27.1/130
7 0.86/31.6/130
8 0.72/37.7/130
9 0.60/45.2/1301 5.35/4.5/27
2 3.24/7.5/45
3 2.25/10.8/65
4 1.64/14.8/89
5 1.21/20.1/121
6 1.00/24.3/130
7 0.86/28.3/130
8 0.72/33.8/130
9 0.60/40.5/130Final Drive Ratio:12.823.47ChassisSuspensionF: multilink, air springs, anti-roll bar
R: multilink, air springs, anti-roll barF: control arms, air springs, anti-roll bar
R: multilink, air springs, anti-roll barBrakesF: 14.2-inch vented, cross-drilled disc
R: 14.2-inch discF: 14.8-inch vented, cross-drilled disc
R: 13.6-inch vented discStability Controlpartially defeatablepartially defeatableTiresDunlop Sport Maxx RT2
F: 245/45R-18 100Y
R: 275/40R-18 103YContinental CrossContact UHP
265/40R-21 105YC/D Test ResultsAcceleration0–30 MPH1.9 sec1.9 sec0–60 MPH5.3 sec5.4 sec0–100 MPH13.4 sec14.7 sec0–120 MPH20.6 sec23.0 sec¼-Mile @ MPH13.9 sec @ 10114.1 sec @ 98Rolling Start, 5–60 MPH6.5 sec6.5 secTop Gear, 30–50 MPH3.2 sec3.4 secTop Gear, 50–70 MPH3.7 sec4.4 secTop Speed130 mph (gov ltd, mfr’s claim)130 mph (gov ltd, mfr’s claim)ChassisBraking 70–0 MPH160 ft172 ftRoadholding,
300-ft-dia Skidpad0.85 g*0.77 g*610-ft Slalom43.7 mph*41.7 mph*WeightCurb4443 lb5089 lb%Front/%Rear51.7/48.352.6/47.4CG Height22.5 in27.0 inFuelTank21.1 gal24.6 galRating91 octane91 octaneEPA Combined/City/Hwy21/19/25 mpg20/17/23 mpgC/D 300-Mile Trip18 mpg15 mpgSound LevelIdle37 dBA38 dBAFull Throttle71 dBA76 dBA70-MPH Cruise64 dBA66 dBA
*stability-control-inhibitedTested by Josh Jacquot in California City, CA
Final ResultsMax Pts. Available2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 Wagon2017 Mercedes-AMG GLE43Rank12VehicleDriver Comfort1097Ergonomics1087Rear-seat Comfort534Rear-seat Space*545Cargo Space*545Features/Amenities*10710Fit and Finish1098Interior Styling1087Exterior Styling10107Rebates/Extras*500As-tested Price*201920Subtotal1008180Powertrain1/4-mile Acceleration*202019Flexibility*522Fuel Economy*10107Engine NVH1078Transmission1088Subtotal554744ChassisPerformance*202016Steering Feel1086Brake Feel1078Handling1096Ride10106Subtotal605442ExperienceFun to Drive252012Grand Total240202178
* These objective scores are calculated from the vehicle's dimensions, capacities, rebates and extras, and/or test results.