I come from a small family, and have a small family, so wagons have never been on my automotive radar. But on Friday, after picking up the 2009 Audi A4 Avant from its 35,000 mile service, I had it for the weekend. A couple months ago, I was lucky enough to drive the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon for three days. Although these are both German luxury-brand wagons, the contrasts between them are stark.
The Audi A4 felt more agile and responsive than the Mercedes E350 4Matic. When I was driving the Audi, I was calling the shots. With the Mercedes, I felt like the captain of a stately ocean liner, calling down commands to the engine room ("Lane change right!" "Aye, lane change right!"). I was, to be honest, a little intimidated by the Mercedes. It was as though I was driving my rich aunt's car, and there would be hell to pay if anything went wrong. The Audi felt more like a friend had tossed me the key and said, "Have a fun weekend." And I did.
More contrasts: Although the Audi is just 7 inches shorter and 2 inches narrower than the Mercedes, it feels like a much smaller car -- in a good way. The Mercedes is awash in luxury. The Audi is more tailored, practical and sporty. If the Mercedes is a country mansion dripping in lush appointments, the Audi is a sleek, spare city loft. (Audi is actively exploiting such contrasts in marketing the 2011 Audi A8. Check out its "Good Morning" commercial to see a swipe at Mercedes' version of luxury. Love the yawning mink stole.)
Although my colleague Dan Frio recently complained about the fussiness of the controls in the Audi, I got the hang of them relatively quickly, particularly in comparison to the Mercedes' split-layout Comand multifunction controller. Werner von Braun might understand Comand without an owner's manual -- I couldn't.
All this, you might say, is an unfair comparison: 2011 versus 2009; A $56,000 Mercedes versus an Audi whose 2011 model has an MSRP starting at $36,300. Bigger engine versus smaller, with, I might point out, the related differences in fuel efficiency: the Mercedes does 16 city/23 highway; the 2011 Audi comes in with 21/29.
It's all about personal taste, of course. But if I were in the market for a German luxury wagon and had a generous budget, I'd give both wagons a drive and serious consideration.
Carroll Lachnit, Features Editor @34,500 miles
super_ongoy says:
09:01 AM, 01/24/11
I doubt a potential A4 buyer would be in the market for an E class wagon.
exnevadan says:
09:39 AM, 01/24/11
for the 35k service - what'd they do and what'd you pay?
also agree that an A4 and an E class are not competitors. A6 / E class would be a fair comparo, in which case you'd be talking nearly equivalent prices, though perhaps the Audi would still be more of a drivers station wagon.
sodaguy says:
09:51 AM, 01/24/11
+1 @ exnevadan.
I'm really curious as to the price of the 35k service.
The A4 and E350 wagons are unlikely to be cross-shopped due to the significant difference in price and size. Two different target audiences. It's almost like a 328i wagon vs 5 series wagon.
mercedesfan says:
09:52 AM, 01/24/11
@exnevadan,
The A6 definitely is. When my wife was looking to get her new wagon I made her drive both the A4 and A6 Avant. The A6 is much sportier than the E-wagon, but feels about a decade older (which it is). It just doesn't have the refinement of even its A4 younger brother. The A4 Avant, on the other hand, was my favorite. No wagon should look that good or be that good to drive.
Of course, ultimately it was her decision and she went with the E350. It's a lovely car and fits the baby seats better so I can understand why she went with it. Also, two weekends ago I found out that while the Benz is far from sporty, it is more than capable of delivering a good time when you push it to its limits. :)
ahightower says:
10:06 AM, 01/24/11
Mmmmm... E-wagon. Baby got back. One of my favorite reviews on Edmunds was a couple years ago when they put an E55 AMG wagon on the drag strip complete with kids riding in the rear facing barf bench.
eldaino2 says:
10:21 AM, 01/24/11
An a6 would be a better comparo, but better wait until the newer model comes out, as the e class is a much newer design.
Having said that, I'm sure if there was a c class wagon, audi would still take the cake. And yes, those good morning commercials are perfect.
c_lachnit says:
10:59 AM, 01/24/11
@exnevadan and sodaguy: Details on the service and the price for it are forthcoming from my colleague Ron Montoya. And you'll find it very interesting indeed.
italjob says:
07:12 PM, 03/31/12
Just test drove a 2009 E class wagon at a dealer. My own is a Volvo V50 T5 FWD. I agree with everything the author said here: The E class wagon is filled with luxury but it is like driving an ocean liner. Even comparing to a lesser V50, it feels slow and bulky. After the test drive, I handed the key back to the sale person and thanked him for his time. On one hand, the E class wagon is a well made car. On the other hand, I don't see how I could love driving it every day.