Got it right: Ride, cargo area, available third seat, driving position, safety features, and diverse selection of options

Needs improvement: Pricing, power, small gauges, rear legroom, location of turn signals

We have owned a Mercedes for over 25 years and it never misses a beat. So we always treasure time with the new models. However, as of late, we have started to notice that unless you drive the V8 Mercedes sedan there is a distinct lack of power even when the car is not loaded. We wholeheartedly recommend you consider the V8 model even though it is more expensive.

There is little doubt that this is a sharp looking large seven-passenger wagon. And, there is no doubt that the vehicle’s price is going to send potential buyers looking elsewhere unless they appreciate the engineering and road holding that this Mercedes offers. That has been an interesting corundum for Mercedes. Should they continue to expand their line of lesser-priced vehicles, or add more models at the higher end of the price spectrum? The Mercedes E 320 wagon is an example of that problem.

The good news is that Mercedes continues to command good resale amounts and the wagon retains as much or more than nearly any other similar model. So although it may be dear to buy the overall cost of ownership isn’t bad.

Mom’s view: There are so many options available on this wagon that it makes selecting one fun. Should I get the voice-activated cell phone and navigation? What about the Distronic cruise control designed to maintain a set following distance from vehicles in front of you?

Next to consider are the bi-xenon headlamps which turn when you corner, and the heated and ventilated front seats with Dynamic Drive to massage your backside and also have bladders that inflate that counter cornering forces? Or, how about the Keyless Go credit-card-sized transmitter that unlocks the wagon and enables you to start the car without the traditional key? Ladies, these are the types of decisions we were born to make. You are truly creating your own special car with these types of options.

The interior is understated, but I did find it difficult to read the gauges at speed. There needs to be a larger font. The steering wheel contains the buttons that enable you to manipulate the driver’s computer to find out such items as miles per gallon and distance to empty which is always a valuable resource if more than one person drives a car and that person is prone to leave it nearly devoid of petrol. There are plenty of storage areas, although the cupholders could be made larger. Finally, the cruise control and the turn signal stalk are easy to confuse, especially if you are driving fast and want to make a lane change.

I never did get used to the feel of the brakes. Mercedes has a safety system that reads your intent to stop and helps you, but to me it the brakes just felt a little mushy until you got stern with them. No question, the brakes are effective, I simply had problem modulating the pressure. Other than that this was a very nice car and certainly easier to drive and more spacious than the SUVs in this price range.

Dad’s view: It costs much more for a V8 version of this wagon, but it is worth it even though you need premium fuel and get a mile or two less per gallon. The reason is going to be obvious to you once you test-drive this wagon with a family onboard.

The six-cylinder engine just does not have any snap and it is easy to see why since it offers about the same horsepower as a Toyota Camry yet weighs significantly more. The 3.2L 18-valve V-6 engine makes 221 hp @ 5,600 rpm

Driving is enjoyable with antiskid and traction control and ABS helping make for a stable ride.

The suspension is well controlled, but don’t mistake this wagon for a sports wagon.

The engine and five speed automatic transmission are set on relax and so the kick- downs take a while and the engine response is leisurely. There is little wind noise and the engine is nearly silent until you ask it to perform and than it is guttural. There is a clear lack of low-end torque and so the transmission must make up the difference with more frequent downshifts. The result going up an incline is a bit more jarring than you would expect from a car in this price range. On the highway the engine is relaxed and the long wheelbase makes for a smooth journey.

One option we didn’t get but you should consider is the power liftgate and power bed extended. It enables you to load up to 400 pounds without having to lean over the rear bumper. The rear bed of the wagon slides out automatically. This is a great feature if you have an injured back.

Getting into the front seats is not a problem, but we question the narrow door entry into the backseats. For such a vast vehicle there is not a lot of toe space in the rear and we did not have the optional third seat so we can only guess that life in those positions would be limited to the small fry in the family.

Young working male’s view: I liked the look. However, it is way too big for me. The rear wheel drive wagon takes some getting used to with a tunnel like vista when you check the rear view mirror.

The rear wheel drive wagon also has another problem in that it just does not like to be rushed. Elegancy is its name and nature and don’t try to rush it. As you can expect, the steering is well boosted, the highway ride smooth, and the sound system designed for those not accustomed to the merits of good midrange. We average 20 mpg.

Young working woman’s view: This is a classic example of having to decide between two vehicles by the same manufacture that are nearly identical in every way except price.

The Mercedes C Class, one of my favorites, is available in a wagon version that uses the same engine as the 500-pound heavier E Class wagon, and yet both have the same powerplant. In fact, unless you need a few extra inches of rear seat room and a larger cargo bay, the C 320 should be considered.

Every businessperson in the world knows that a good brand name, such as Mercedes, is gold when it comes to marketing. The problem for me is Mercedes is offering so many other vehicles that do nearly the same thing for less, and that includes the M Class SUV, that it is difficult to understand what niche they are trying to fill with the E320 wagon.

The reality for me is that for my age group the sharper handling, quicker C Class wagon is more to my liking although I much prefer the dramatic looks of the larger vehicle.

Family conference: We like the look, the room, and the safety the Mercedes E Class station wagon offers. However, the six-cylinder engine just does not have enough power for us when the vehicle is loaded from the 221 horsepower V6 even with the smooth shifting five-speed automatic overdrive transmission. The V8, with 302 horsepower, is our recommendation for moving this two-ton wagon. If you need all wheel drive, this Mercedes is also offered as an E500 4MATIC.

Written by The Car Family