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Just drove down to Hilton Head for a week and back from the Shenandoah valley about 1200 miles, didn't see 1 Mercedes wagon. drive down mostly at night - the multi beam headlights never ceases to bring me joy as they fan out across the road. Was by myself and 8 hours in any car is a stretch, the wagon with its massaging seats certainly takes some of the sting out of it. Finally figured out how to get Apple car play to show wazes and Spotify on same screen - much better than going thru the Mercedes system. Plus, wazes give me the all-important "police reported ahead"
neither complaining nor bragging - always on the lookout for wagons - just a statement that's all
actually, I am always looking for a 1980's colony Park or Electra wagon - still regret selling my 85
SUVs are basically taller wagons these days in the US, some can even handle or ride just as well as some station wagons. Taking the US Spec W213 on long trips is a pleasure in any configurations, not just the wagon. Although wagons do get a lot of attention from people saying, "they still make those wagons". If your goal is to be different, driving a wagon will achieve that goal.
SUV's are NOT basically taller wagons. SUV are on a totally different frame with a tall truck like suspension. They ride like a truck and have a very high center of gravity is why SUV's are frequent found upside down after an accident or collision.
SUV's are NOT basically taller wagons. SUV are on a totally different frame with a tall truck like suspension. They ride like a truck and have a very high center of gravity is why SUV's are frequent found upside down after an accident or collision.
Not sure what country you are in but here in the US. Not all SUV are on truck suspension and ladder frames. Some SUV could out perform the W213 non-amg wagon and some rides just as smooth as the E wagon.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by skytop
SUV's are NOT basically taller wagons. SUV are on a totally different frame with a tall truck like suspension. They ride like a truck and have a very high center of gravity is why SUV's are frequent found upside down after an accident or collision.
You are on the newer side to these forums: In another thread I attempted to advise you to temper your language in your posts, but obviously to no avail.
Demonstrative statements Like "NOT basically taller wagons" or "I'm quite pleased to drive a unique vehicle and not to be part of crowd of insects who never think of themselves and suffer from herd mentality." your post #2 are argumentative, opinionated, inflammatory and add little to nothing to the discussion.
In point of fact today's SUV have more in common with the sedans that they are based upon. Of course the center of gravity is much higher than a sedan, the laws of physics still apply. But unlike SUV of 15 years ago that were built on truck bodies, body on frame, today the majority of SUV's are unibody construction, the same as sedans. Perhaps instead of calling them SUV we should be calling them cross overs. That is a topic of discussion for another day.
I have driven the Mercedes GLE 450 with the inline six hybrid engine: it was silky smooth, extremely quiet, plenty of room inside and for most people the handling was fine. For me, I prefer the handling of my E450. I assume the Mercedes All Terrain will handle very much like my E450.
For me the problem with the All Terrain is the price - and I think for most buyers as well: For thousands less than the All Terrain, you can buy a GLE 450 with far more room than the All Terrain. To most Americans, the extra space of the GLE at the same price as the All Terrain would be their choice, but at a discount to the All Terrain for most the decision is easy.
Clearly in other parts of the world the situation is different: there wagons outsell SUV. But in America, with relatively inexpensive fuel, long drives, hauling kids to and from their activities, the SUV is now King.
I agree with JTK44, wagons are just not very popular in the US for some reason but there is still a small group of loyal followers who are still buying them.
For me the problem with the All Terrain is the price - and I think for most buyers as well: For thousands less than the All Terrain, you can buy a GLE 450 with far more room than the All Terrain. To most Americans, the extra space of the GLE at the same price as the All Terrain would be their choice, but at a discount to the All Terrain for most the decision is easy.
A GLE450 with third row seat and air suspension...both standard on the All Terrain...is slightly more expensive than the wagon. Not that I am trying to sell anyone on the wagon...I'm quite happy if they remain somewhat unique. Picking mine up tomorrow...
One advantage of the wagon over the SUV is the handling, lower center of gravity but the SUV makes up for that with a suspension that could handle today's city roads which is in disrepair. For most wagon owners, they really dont care much about handling, for them, the wagon brings back a sense of nostalgia, just like the wagon they or their dad had way back then, and that is priceless.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by The G Man
One advantage of the wagon over the SUV is the handling, lower center of gravity but the SUV makes up for that with a suspension that could handle today's city roads which is in disrepair. For most wagon owners, they really dont care much about handling, for them, the wagon brings back a sense of nostalgia, just like the wagon they or their dad had way back then, and that is priceless.
I guess that explains why most owners of wagons are over 60 years of age.
Everyone younger has no sense of nostalgia: When they look at a GLE 350 or GLE 450 vs. a wagon they see more space and utility, a "rugged look" at a substantially cheaper price - plus to many a wagon is closer to a min van than the sedan!
I'm younger and because of nostalgia I hate station wagons.
My first car as a 16yo in high school in 2000 was a 1988 Toyota Camry station wagon with broken A/C, missing hub caps, no paint on the roof or hood, and sometimes to start it I'd have to put the automatic transmission in neutral and jiggle the car back and forth with the momentum of my body weight while seated in the drivers seat and bouncing myself between the steering wheel and seat.
Never again want a station wagon. Don't care if it's a functioning AMG or not.
The funny thing is car manufacturers has been for hears upgrading their wagon with bigger tires, taller suspensions and wheel claddings, Add in fancy names like All Terrain or Cross Country to attract and sell to the outdoor SUV types. The lines are blurred between wagon and SUV more than ever.
04-03-2022, 09:14 AM
