We were mightily impressed by the E-Class Estate last year.

In 2018 we’ve tested the All Terrain, a four-wheel-drive version of the Mercedes-Benz, with a raised ride height to give some off-road ability.

Even if you never plan to venture further beyond Tarmac than a farm campsite, there are good reasons to choose the All Terrain as a tow car.

The diesel engine is refined and very, very strong, pulling a caravan weighted to 85% of its kerbweight from 30-60mph in just 8.0 seconds. The big Mercedes stops as well as it goes, with a 30-0mph stopping distance of 10.4 metres.

In the lane-change test, the All Terrain was pulled around by the caravan a little on the third and fastest run, but it stayed under control and completed the manoeuvre.

At high speeds the car is generally very stable, but the Al-Ko ATC sensors did detect some movement when slowing down.

With so much pulling power, four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox, the hill-start test was never likely to cause the E-Class problems, and so it proved.

In everyday driving the All Terrain is easy going, comfortable and refined. There’s a sport mode to sharpen the throttle, add weight to the steering and firm up the suspension, and it works well without compromising comfort too much.

The All Terrain is a spacious car with lots of luggage space, but the low noseweight hurts the car’s practicality score. And there’s also no getting away from the very high price.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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