They say you can’t take it with you. This concept arises often in my job as an estate planning attorney, but while you’re here, I’ve found a great way you actually can take it with you: the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon.

Part of the newly updated Mercedes E-Class line, the wagon gives you all the performance and luxury of the sedan but with an enclosed back for greater cargo capacity and even a kid-friendly, rear-facing, fold-up jump seat under a power liftgate.

It has the capacity of an SUV but sits lower to the ground, making it easier to enter and exit, and providing better handling with less chance of rolling over. The only disadvantage compared to an SUV is reduced ground clearance, which is really not a factor unless you’re off-roading or driving through deep snow. Compared to the Mercedes GLE SUV, the E-Class wagon has only about 3 fewer cubic feet of cargo space, but can seat two more (small) people. It also gets better gas mileage, weighs 350 pounds less and has a more powerful engine. Did I mention it drives much better and is sportier?

The new E-Class has attractive, sleek styling and comes with myriad luxury features, including dual automatic climate control; rain-sensing automatic windshield wipers; navigation with live traffic; a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for audio and phone; wood trim; a panorama sunroof; and heated and cooled front seats with an optional massage feature. Even the front armrests and door panels can be heated.

A large, well-integrated screen in the middle of the dash displays vital functions and is controlled by a rotary knob between the front seats. The screen can be split to show navigation on one side and audio controls on the other. Another smaller screen rests between the large analog gauges and shows transmission gear, outside temperature and more. There’s plenty of comfortable rear seat room with separate air vents and pull-up shade screens for the second-row windows.

The wagon handles like a sedan instead of a truck, and the powerful, bi-turbo V-6 gets you from zero to 60 in only 5.3 seconds. Add to that good brakes and responsive steering, and you’ve got a vehicle that’s a pleasure to drive. For fuel savings, the engine has a start/stop feature that is less intrusive than most other manufacturers’.

Of course, being a Mercedes, the E-Class comes with a multitude of driving and safety aids like cross-wind assist, active lane keeping and blind spot assists, a surround-view camera, a rear wiper that automatically engages when you shift into reverse, collision sensors, automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control that automatically adjusts to the speed of the car in front of you. Another helpful feature is a display that shows your speed and direction, the speed limit, and navigation instructions.

According to Bret Donaldson, sales manager at Plaza Mercedes, “The E-class wagon contains a number of significant improvements over its predecessor, including interior updates, HD screens, drive pilot, ambient lighting and a higher comfort level.”

technicals » model E400 4matic wagon
price:
» Base: $63,000, including delivery
» As driven with options, $78,000

gas mileage:
» 19 city, 25 highway

drivetrain:
» Front engine; all-wheel drive
» 3.0-litre, bi-turbo, V-6 engine
» 329 horsepower
» 9-speed automatic transmission

Robert Paster (robertpaster.com) is also an attorney in private practice, concentrating in estate planning and probate.