‘Crossover’ is the confusing term referring to vehicles that are a little bit SUV and a little bit passenger wagon.
But there’s no confusion about where the Mercedes-Benz R-Class fits in – this seven-seater is ‘numero uno’, top-of-the-class, as good as it gets amongst an admittedly small field. With a price tag to match.
What You Get
Car Showroom tested the V6 diesel R 300 CDI Grand Edition. Loaded with extra AMG kit and oozing that unmistakable ‘Benz style and quality, the R Class shows what happens when the company’s technical geniuses turn their attention to seven-seat family crossovers.
While the range-topping V8 petrol R 500 is probably used by Hermes-clad families en route to their private jets or First Class check-in, the R 300 CDI Grand Edition - priced at $93,800 - is hardly t-shirts and board shorts.
Cleverly versatile inside and gloriously styled outside, the R-Class is ’Benz at its best.
The Engine
The R300 is powered by Merc’s 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel. Maximum power is 140kW at 4000 rpm and peak torque of 440Nm is delivered between 1400 rpm and 2800 rpm.
Drive is to the rear wheels via the seven-speed 7G-TRONIC transmission. R 350 and R 500 models are all-wheel-drive.
Big as the R Class is, this modern diesel is nicely economical, averaging 9.2l/100kms and emitting 242g/km of CO2.
Given the popularity of diesel-powered vehicles in all classes in Europe, you expect the R 300 to be a handy performer and it is - zero to 100km/h in 9.7 seconds.
The Interior
Space and versatility is what seven-seat Crossovers are all about – and the R Class delivers in bucket loads…with ‘Benz style and quality wherever you look.
Up front, there is a lot of the previous generation E-Class sedan in the configuration of the dashboard and the front seats. Our test car was fitted with anthracite ARTICO leather throughout. The usual ‘Benz electronic adjustment of the drivers’ seat and reach/rake adjustment for the leather-wrapped steering wheel provided an excellent passenger car-like driving position.
Instrumentation is the usual two-dial display with trip computer and other information displayed on a screen between the gauges. The Grand Edition gains the COMAND APS system with a reversing camera – displayed on a five-inch center console colour screen which also contains audio, satellite navigation and climate control information.
Entertainment is upgraded with the COMAND APS system to include LINGUATRONIC voice activation of the six-disc in-dash CD/DVD AM/FM sound with Bluetooth connectivity, SD card slot and 4GB music register.
Also included in the Grand Edition extras are stylish anthracite poplar wood trim and chrome highlights, stainless steel pedals and dark tinting for all windows back from the B-pillar.
Space is very impressive – the second row seats slide individually and can provide up to 920mm of legroom for the third row passengers. Set to the standard configuration, there is 920mm between the first and second rows and 840mm between the second and third rows.
Same for headroom with 1027mm in the rear. The standard glass sunroof adds to the airy feeling inside.
Folding of both rows allows a massive 2001 litres of cargo space (it shrinks to 314 litres with all seats in place).
Exterior & Styling
The AMG kit included in the Grand Edition specifications includes 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with wheel arch flairs – the combination certainly boosts the R 350’s looks.
But even in standard form, the ‘Benz stylists get top marks from even the harshest critics for the R Class.
The deep sculptured bonnet and low arching front guards give real chutzpah to a family transport vehicle. And the gloriously curved D-pillar goes a long way to disguising what would otherwise be a wagon.
It’s elegant and contemporary, but there’s no denying the R Class’ dimensions – at 5157mm front to rear, this is no shrinking violet.
On The Road
And that size is noticeable on the road. Over our high-speed mountain road test route,0 the R 300 provided the handling and poise you associate with Mercedes-Benz vehicles and the handy performance you expect from the latest European turbo diesel engines.
In fact, in terms of driving dynamics, quite simply the R Class is almost in a class of its own it is so much better than any other Crossover wagon.
But this is a large family wagon so it just doesn’t have the ride control, precision and tenacity of say an AMG Black Series – not that R Class buyers would expect that.
Around town it’s a similar story – excellent refinement over bumps like Melbourne’s tram and train track crossings plus handy performance to safely merge into freeway traffic or cruise down the highway.
However, negotiating narrow inner city laneways and car parks does require precision and caution in a vehicle of this size. When attempting to park in tight spots (like our underground office car park), the reversing camera is a savior.
Challenges
Again the Mercedes-Benz DIRECT SELECT steering column gear lever caught out some of the Car Showroom team who reached for the indicators and instead slipped into neutral. One of our team had no problems at all, and we’re certain with familiarity the confusion would disappear.
Verdict
The R Class is the best luxury crossover seven-seater on the market, but luxury comes at a price.
The Competition
With its specification and pricing, the R Class does stand alone in the crossover segment, but there are some competent, well-equipped alternatives.
Honda’s Odyssey costs far less but only sells with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The nice-looking Honda is extensively equipped and comes closest to the R Class for driving dynamics.
Citroen’s C4 Picasso and Renault’s Grand Scenic offer lower-priced European alternatives but really don’t swim in the same gene pool as the R Class.
R Class aside, many say Mazda’s CX-7 and CX-9 are the pick of the crossovers…but are they getting too SUV-like to equitably compare with the Merc’ and the Honda?
Likes:
It’s a Mercedes-Benz for large families – everything is top-shelf
Dislikes:
Size makes it sometimes cumbersome in the city
