Rear-axle steering on E53 wagon?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
Rear-axle steering on E53 wagon?
Was wondering — Can anyone confirm whether the E53 wagon actually comes with rear-axle steering?
The MB USA website states that “active rear-axle steering” is a standard feature for the wagon. You’d think that would be a reliable statement . . . but I’ve noticed (1) that some of the UK marketing materials state that rear-axle steering is a standard feature on the E53 sedan, but is *not* available on the wagon; and (2) the owner’s manual for the E-Class wagon doesn’t include any references to rear-axle steering, whereas the manual for the sedan includes a number of references to the feature and related warning messages. We also know that the All-Terrain wagon doesn’t get rear-axle steering, even though the Airmatic package on the sedans does include it. (On the other hand, MB’s UK brochure lists the same turning circle for both the E53 sedan and wagon, which seems off if only the sedan has rear-axle steering. I’d expect the sedan to get at least some marginal benefit with a tighter turning circle.)
Any clue what gives? Is this another instance of MB’s inability to get accurate facts on their US website?
The MB USA website states that “active rear-axle steering” is a standard feature for the wagon. You’d think that would be a reliable statement . . . but I’ve noticed (1) that some of the UK marketing materials state that rear-axle steering is a standard feature on the E53 sedan, but is *not* available on the wagon; and (2) the owner’s manual for the E-Class wagon doesn’t include any references to rear-axle steering, whereas the manual for the sedan includes a number of references to the feature and related warning messages. We also know that the All-Terrain wagon doesn’t get rear-axle steering, even though the Airmatic package on the sedans does include it. (On the other hand, MB’s UK brochure lists the same turning circle for both the E53 sedan and wagon, which seems off if only the sedan has rear-axle steering. I’d expect the sedan to get at least some marginal benefit with a tighter turning circle.)
Any clue what gives? Is this another instance of MB’s inability to get accurate facts on their US website?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
That said, the UK materials seem to be more careful in at least some respects. They note a difference in cargo capacity as between the PHEV and non-PHEV variants (owing to the space lost to the battery), whereas the US website continues to pretend that the E53 sedan and wagon have the same cargo space as the equivalent non-PHEV models. The US website is obviously wrong on this issue.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
Thanks, guys. I appreciate the responses, and I do see the 201 feature noted on the Monroney for a wagon in inventory at one of my local dealers. It would be a pretty elaborate screw up for MB to get that wrong.
I guess then the mystery is why the corresponding info isn’t included in the manual for the wagons. Presumably just a failure in updating the manual for the introduction of the E53.
I guess then the mystery is why the corresponding info isn’t included in the manual for the wagons. Presumably just a failure in updating the manual for the introduction of the E53.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 395
FWIW, it is imperceptible (a good thing IMO); the car does not have the hook-and-ladder feel other MB products with RWS have, and the turning circle is larger than the last two E-classes I had (it’s still fine).
