Test drive Mercedes E 220 D All-Terrain versus Volvo V90 Cross Country D4

Which of the two elite station wagons offers more for its high price tag?

A luxury station wagon with increased ground clearance and dual drive trains, it can do just about anything and can go just about anywhere. He is such a hero Mercedes E ATV. But also the Volvo V90 Cross Country is not going to retreat without a fight..

Actually, isn't it important how station wagon models will be saved from extinction? The main thing is that this thoughtfully designed bodywork should continue to be produced, even if its survivability must be ensured by certain upgrades, verbally expressed by the addition of All-Terrain or Cross Country. Technically - with an additional double transmission and a slightly increased ground clearance. All the same - in terms of the main Mercedes E-Class, the T-model and the Volvo V90 remain what they are: excellent luxury vans for friends of the brand.

In doing so, we may have said everything that is important about this. But you rightly expect a comprehensive comparison test, because we promised it in the content. That is why we are now forced to solve riddles, although at first there is nothing mysterious about them. Rarely is everything as clear and concise as with these two versatile vehicles. If you have money, you buy one of them. The best one is the one you like the most - that's my completely subjective advice. And before my boss reprimands me, I will present you with the most objective facts possible in my role as a car tester. For example, the interior space - the Volvo is extensive, and the Mercedes even more. In the E-Class, you're more comfortable sitting in the front, but in the back, the steeply upright backrest causes some confusion. However, both companies offer a luxurious ambience: open-pore or closed-pore wood, shiny or brushed metal, all just a click away in the configurator.

E-Class with higher lifting capacity

We reach the cargo hold. This also speaks in favor of Mercedes, and eloquently - more eloquently reflected in the glasses. All-Terrain offers nearly 300 liters more when the rear seatbacks are folded down. At the same time, heavy items are easier to lift and carry above the lower rear sill. And the heavy stuff in question can be a lot heavier – the E-Class rides up to 656kg and the V90 starts to moan at 481kg.

With this, we can end the main section without mentioning a word about feature management. But now we will do it. If your dream car is a Volvo model, you will have to touch its screen again and again until you reach the desired menu item. And you will feel that all this in Mercedes works easier and faster. Or that, thanks to its connection to an external antenna, the E-Class offers the best conditions for telephony, as well as wireless smartphone charging. This, of course, will not affect the purchase decision, but will bring points in the comparative test. As well as additional safety equipment on the All-Terrain. It protects rear passengers with side airbags, avoids obstacles on its own or stops if the driver does not see them when reversing. And yes, in addition, the Mercedes representative stops more insistently - which finally wins in the safety section. In other words, Mercedes is poaching Volvo's hunting grounds.

Additional ground clearance

The reverse is not so easy to achieve. For example, the traditional strength of Mercedes is comfort. And here the All-Terrain is not going to give way. Like a slightly raised T-model - the big wheels carry 1,4 and the suspension carries 1,5 extra centimeters of ground clearance - the All-Terrain is slightly different from the versatile E-Class version and does not burden its buyer with the typical off-road comfort weaknesses . If the differences with the Volvo model in driving comfort on the highway are still small, then on a secondary road, Mercedes plays its trump cards quite noticeably. Its air suspension "smoothes out" the road surface, which in Cross Country seemed too folded.

All Terrain remains calm all the while. He does not incite or restrain his leader to take unusual actions. The car perfects its rapid purr over the road and leaves, if you ask, headroom. The steering system deliberately communicates contact with the road until the driver overdoes his ambition, and then calls for more composure. There is a calming feeling that you are enveloped in a cocoon in some kind of complete, carefree package and can travel long distances without any stress.

In the dark at the bend

Volvo achieves something similar - at least in a smooth and comfortable ride. In more forced actions, the steering system is countered by its unsociableness. It does not provide any useful information about how the front axle is considering possible sideways swimming attempts. Therefore, when driving fast, you have the feeling that you are turning in the dark. And since you are unlikely to like it, it is better not to move too vigorously. In terms of points, this means lower scores for road dynamics, handling and steering.

On the other hand, the Volvo model specializes in Mercedes' smooth driving and purring intonations. The D4 engine seems to have completely forgotten the dialect of the diesel engine and, with uniform movement, releases only the number of cylinders, but not the principle of operation. It's a shame that it consumes more fuel than Mercedes' noisier 220d. And it doesn't pull that hard.

It's a pity, because we wanted to honor the glorious Volvo with at least one consolation victory in some section of the quality ratings. However, the Swede comes out on top only in terms of cost. And not at a lower price; In fact, the Mercedes model costs less in the price list. Instead of a price tag, the Pro Cross Country earns points thanks to rich equipment as well as lower maintenance costs. This should reassure the friends of the Swedish-Chinese luxury brand. After all, they have no reason to get depressed because of the second place. Even the very existence of the Cross Country should evoke a happy mood - it's a wonderful luxury van, so it inhabits the sunny side of the automotive community.

Text: Markus Peters

Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert

Evaluation

1. Mercedes E 220 d All-Terrain 4MATIC – 470 points

In quality ratings, All-Terrain wins in every section. It is spacious, safe, comfortable and easy to operate, but expensive.

2. Volvo V90 Cross Country D4 AWD Pro – 439 points

The chic Volvo is very easy to love, although it does not show the qualities of a winner here. In the benchmarking test, Cross Country achieves notable gains only in the cost section.

technical details

1. Mercedes E 220 d All-Terrain 4MATIC	2. Volvo V90 Cross Country D4 AWD Pro
Working volume	1950 cc	1969 cc
Power	194 k.s. (143 kW) at 3800 rpm	190 k.s. (140 kW) at 4250 rpm
Maximum torque	400 Nm at 1600 rpm	400 Nm at 1750 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km / h	8,8 with	9,4 with
Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h	34,7 m	34,4 m
full speed	231 km / h	210 km / h
Average consumption fuel in the test	7,6 l / 100 km	8,0 l / 100 km
Base Price	58 280 EUR (in Germany)	62 200 EUR (in Germany)

Home " Articles " Blanks » Mercedes E 220 D All-Terrain in comparison with Volvo V90 Cross Country D4