Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain estate

Never one to miss out on a market opportunity, Mercedes sought to break Audi and Volvo's dominance of the premium off-road-capable estate class with the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain. It sits between the popular and highly regarded Mercedes E-Class Estate and the bulkier Mercedes GLE SUV. With a more adventurous appearance than the elegant regular estate model, the All-Terrain is more than just a package of cosmetic add-ons to increase the E-Class Estate's visual appeal. Mercedes' aim is to take on the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo V90 Cross Country, cars beloved of those who regularly face challenging road and terrain conditions, but don’t need – or want – a bulky SUV.

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There are some big visual changes to set the All-Terrain apart from the regular E-Class Estate. The wheelarches have extensions made from matt-black plastic that won’t be adversely affected by stone chips and the bumpers have been given prominent scuff guards made from the same material. The front and rear bumpers incorporate robust-looking skid plates made from chrome-plated aluminium, although on inspection these are really just for the looks and aren’t designed to withstand severe punishment.

Ultimately, its ride height is still limited compared to a true SUV and the All-Terrain can't match its GLE stablemate's off-road prowess; Mercedes gives unpaved roads as an example of the All-Terrain's typical habitat, but the ability to deal with tricky conditions will definitely win it some fans. The All-Terrain is powered by an E400d 4MATIC diesel engine with standard four-wheel drive, offering 340bhp and a 0-62mph time of 5.4 seconds.

Overall, the All-Terrain offers all the practicality of the E-Class estate, along with the same luxurious interior, but allied to the mechanical muscle of four-wheel drive and raised suspension for when the going gets tough.