Review of the new Mercedes-Benz R-Class

Nobody really expected the R-Class. Mercedes-Benz sprang it on us out of the blue and in the absence of any existing frame of reference for super-sized estate cars with luxury MPV tendencies, people were unsure what to make of it. If the aim was to forge a new niche in the market, the R-Class achieved its goal but there hasn't exactly been a rush by other manufacturers to snatch a piece of the massive Merc's action. The R remains an unusual proposition, best viewed as a more discreet alternative to a luxury 4x4 or a more practical option for luxury saloon buyers.

The top brass at Mercedes noted that while many of their customers liked the space and utility of cars like the M-Class 4x4, they didn't much care for the ride quality or the handling that is inherent in any vehicle with genuine off-road ability. What if the stance and road manners of a luxury saloon could be combined with the versatility of a 4x4 or an MPV-style vehicle? That was the original reasoning behind the R-Class and little has changed with today's facelifted version, save for the useful tweaks that have been made across the board.

The obscenely powerful petrol engines that are commonplace at the top of Mercedes' more luxurious product lines didn't quite sit with the R-Class and the UK model range is now an all diesel affair. There's still plenty of clout though. The R300 CDI generates 190bhp and 440Nm or torque from 1,400rpm while the R350 CDI trumps that with 265bhp and 620Nm at 1,600rpm. Both are 3.0-litre V6 common-rail diesels mated to the 7G-Tronic automatic transmission but the R300 CDI is front-wheel-drive while the R350 CDI employs the 4Matic permanent all-wheel-drive system.

"Those rearmost seats in the seven-berth cabin can fit adults reasonably well and when they're folded down, the boot is stupendous in size"

Refinement is excellent in the R-Class and, contrary to what its size might lead to you expect, it handles quite nimbly on the open road. Around town, the R feels more of a handful but the engines are well up to the job of getting swiftly away from the lights. If you persevere with the throttle, the R300 CDI can record a 9.5s 0-60mph time while the R350 CDI does the sprint in a surprisingly lively 7.6s.

Mercedes engineers dispensed with the conventional automatic selector lever on the R-Class centre console and replaced it with the Drive Select lever on the steering column. Additional gearshift buttons on the steering wheel enable drivers to flick through the forward gears manually, just like in a Formula One racing car.

The seven-seat capacity of the R-Class instantly precludes a lithe, coupe-style silhouette but the Mercedes designers did manage to make it easier on the eye than the majority of cars with this kind of capacity. The latest models take this further with a redesigned front end emphasising the width and promoting a more dynamic persona for the car. The bi-xenon headlamps now have LED running lights and the tail lights are also restyled.

There are short and long wheelbase versions of the R-Class and measuring fully 5,157mm from nose to tail in long wheelbase form, there's nothing apologetic about this Mercedes. The acid test for a vehicle with three rows of seats is the space from the second to third which in this case is up to 920mm. Moreover, the seats in the middle row can slide individually fore and aft, thereby increasing the seat spacing to as much as 990mm. No longer are the rear seats only suitable for the kids.

The rearmost rows of seats also fold flat into the floor allowing the load capacity to expand to a massive 1,950 litres in the short-wheelbase model and 2,385 litres in the long one. Try finding an estate car that can match that. The optional Easy-Pack tailgate can be opened remotely via the key fob when you're approaching with an armful of shopping and the loading lip is set low on all versions for hoisting weightier items inside. The R will handle those weightier loads too, thanks to its air-suspension with a self-levelling function at the rear.

The basic car comes with most of the equipment you'll need but it's hard to avoid casting an eye towards what is an Aladdin's Cave of an options list. The basic car gets features like two-zone climate control, full-length window airbags, remote central locking, the Comand control system and electric heated front seats. Given the size of the R-Class, it's easy to imagine owners wanting the Parktronic parking assist system and Blind Spot Assist to make changing lanes easier. There's also Distronic proximity control that will apply the brakes if it detects a potential impact and Airmatic adaptive air-suspension for a smoother ride. There's a lot of consider and Mercedes also offers a series of options packs to enhance the looks of the R-Class both inside and out.

The majority of all R-Class sales come from the US, a motoring culture that has traditionally seen anything without a boot as being only good for shopping, picking up kids or rock hopping. This culture is slowly changing thanks to high end SUV sports utility vehicles but the R-Class teases that development in a new direction. Wealthy private customers with growing families have found their needs unmet by saloon cars or rather frumpy MPVs. The social stigma that increasingly surrounds big 4x4 vehicles has opened the way for a vehicle like the R-Class, at least that's the view at Mercedes-Benz.

The average fuel consumption figures returned by the R300 CDI are pretty astounding given its bulk and the performance served up. It returns 37.2mpg on the combined cycle. The more powerful R350 CDI model is none to shabby in this regard either, it manages 33.2mpg. Owners also benefit from CO2 emissions of 199g/km and 223g/km from the two models respectively. Choosing the longer wheelbase derivative has no effect on these official economy or emissions figures.

You'll turn your grey matter to instant whip trying to work out whether the Mercedes-Benz R-Class is an MPV, a 4x4 or an oversized estate. Don't worry about it. Take the R-Class at face value and you'll find a luxurious seven-seat utility vehicle. There's nothing else quite like it and the latest revisions bring improved looks as well as a model range better suited to the UK market.

It's big and that presents problems in tight situations but generally, the R-Class handles extremely well for something its size with superb levels of comfort. The diesel engines also offer outstanding economy when you consider how much car they're being asked to shift. Those rearmost seats in the seven-berth cabin can fit adults reasonably well and when they're folded down, the boot is stupendous in size. This is a car that does what it does very effectively but the pricing and unorthodox position in the market will keep its appeal suitably niche.

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Mercedes Benz R Class R300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY 5dr Auto Diesel Sports Tourer
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