Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 Wagon

The Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S is a super fly 5 person station wagon that challenges the notion that a grocery getter is lame. Our son would call it a “god-tier” wagon, which is a very good thing. It runs on gas and lots of extra juice from Mercedes high-performance division AMG. A prominent New York art gallery owner said, “Wow,” when I pulled up, making this an official blue chip wagon material.  

How it looks when you see it on the street: Sleek, our tester was what I call burnt terracotta. It has elegant sculptural swells around the wheel well. It has a muscular presence. 

How it makes you feel when you get in: Sophisticated, and that feeling like, I’m comfortable in my life. It works well for play and work. 

How it drives: You have a ranch of powerful horses with the tap of your toe that will allow you to scoot off from pre-school drop off with panache. 

Space for people and things: Set up a shopping bag as a prop in the roomy trunk, because there’s still room for groceries and more, which I appreciate as a someone who loves to grocery shop. The back seat is a tiny bit snug if you have a car seat and a growing tween, but there’s room for a small family.  

Best Features: A dope back up camera.  

What makes it stand out: The wheels and tires accentuate the wagonesque country house vibe. 

What should you compare it to: Audi R6 Avant, and the Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo.

How much does it cost: It starts at $113,445, but is likely to top out higher after you add in the fun stuff, like seat massagers.