MERCEDES-BENZ E 450 D ESTATE

Effortlessly capable and desirable, but if you have to ask the price...

- David Motton

What's new?

This is the latest generation of the E-Class Estate, Mercedes's upmarket load carrier. We've been driving the E 450 d, a very powerful mild-hybrid diesel with four-wheel drive. It's heavy enough to rival luxury SUVs, but the price tag is very high.

What are we looking for?

Does the E-Class tow as well as a big 4x4? We're looking for stability, practicality and luxury in one compelling package.

Towing ability

We matched the Mercedes to a Swift Conqueror 645 Grande with a Mass in Running Order of 1726kg (thanks to Couplands in Louth for the loan of the caravan). The E-Class handled this large twin-axle tourer without any sign of strain.

The E 450 d has 390hp and 553lb ft of torque. Those are big numbers and make for effortless towing. Even pulling such a heavy caravan, there's almost never any need to work the engine hard. When you do, it makes a pleasant growl, but in regular driving you can hardly hear it.

The nine-speed automatic shifts very smoothly - you barely notice the change in gear ratio.

The 'box responds swiftly and is rarely in the wrong gear.

Holding speed on hilly routes is easy. If you need to stop on a slope, the E-Class pulls away easily and without struggling for traction - one of the benefits of four-wheel drive. Join the motorway, and the Mercedes tows straight and true. Very few movements from the caravan can be felt in the car's cockpit.