4-pot oilers here April, V6 diesel here mid-2018.
Mercedes-Benz’s hotly-anticipated X-Class ute has finally been detailed for our market, ahead of its arrival in April next year. The X-Class claims to offer the prized strengths expected from a ute with the “typical Mercedes-Benz characteristics of driving dynamics, comfort, design, safety, and individualisation,” something they claim is a first in the ute segment. Sure.
The X-Class will eventually take on a three-way lineup on our shores, made up of the X220d, X250d, and X350d, with no petrol offerings in sight. Interestingly, the X-Class will be offered with a cab chassis variant on our market, something we didn’t expect as we thought it would unashamedly target the lifestyle ute segment. We can’t imagine anyone ever using an X-Class for real work, though we could be wrong.
Built on the bones of the Nissan NP300 Navara, the new Mercedes-Benz X-Class benefits from the complex rear-suspension setup of the Navara, consisting of a multi-link arrangement rather than the usual leaf-springs found in its competitors. Naturally, the engineers in Germany have retuned this further as to ensure the X-Class rides and handles like a Mercedes should, while traction concerns are dealt with via the all-wheel drive system (standard on all but the two most affordable variants).
That all-wheel drive system came with low-range gearing and standard diff-locks at the rear, and ensures that the 222mm ground clearance and impressive approach/departure angles are there for good reason. While selectable all-wheel drive is available in the four-bangers, the V6 oiler will be a permanent setup, though all 4MATIC models will come with hill descent control.
While the X-Class may share its underpinnings with the Nissan Navara (and soon, the Renault Alaskan) but it bears a design language that is more in keeping with Mercedes-Benz’s aesthetic language, though the profile of the thing will remind you of its roots. The cabin has also been reworked significantly to provide maximum tactile appeal (as you’d expect from a Mercedes-Benz), with a lot of added sound insulation to further its refined presentation.
While entry-level Pure models ride on steelies with unpainted bumpers on either end and plastic floors inside, we reckon that the bulk of sales will come from the plusher Progressive and Power variants instead, that offer more kit for the money.
Standard features on the Pure models include:
• Grained front bumper in black, rear bumper painted in black
• 17-inch steel wheels
• Halogen headlamps
• Electrically adjustable outside mirrors
• Ventilation outlets in high-gloss black
• Seat upholstery in black Tunja fabric
• Rear view camera (not with Cab Chassis)
• Plastic floor covering
• Manually adjustable front seats
• Audio 20 CD infotainment system with 17.8 cm ( 7”) TFT and touchpad
• Two-way speakers front and rear
• Air conditioning system
• Four-cylinder diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission
• Four load-securing rings on the sides of the load bed
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Active Brake Assist (AEB)
• Lane Keeping Assist
The entry-level X220d will be manual-only, though a 7-speed automatic is available on the brawnier X250d for a premium. Move up to the Progressive trim level, and you’ll find your X-Class fitted with:
• Front and rear bumpers painted in the vehicle colour
• 17-inch six-spoke light-alloy wheels
• Halogen headlamps
• Electrically adjustable and heated outside mirrors
• Rear view camera (not with Cab Chassis)
• Windscreen made of heat insulating glass
• Rain sensing wipers
• Garmin® MAP PILOT Navigation
• Carpeted floor covering
• Grained instrument panel in black
• Ventilation outlets galvanised in silver shadow
• Seat upholstery in black posadas fabric
• Carpeted floor covering
• Manually adjustable front seats
• Steering wheel, shift lever knob and handbrake lever in leather
• Door sill panels in aluminium and illuminated front footwell
• Audio 20 CD infotainment system with 17.8 cm ( 7”) TFT and touchpad
• Digital Audio with eight-speaker system
• Chromatic rear view mirror with compass
• Air conditioning system
• Four-cylinder diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission
• Adjustable load-securing rails on the sides of the load bed
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Active Brake Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist
In the X-Class Progressive, the 7-speed automatic is still a cost-option, though selectable all-wheel drive remains a standard fit. Come mid-2018, there will be a V6 turbodiesel that will offer 7G-Tronic plus, previously used in other Mercedes passenger cars, fitted with a permanent all-wheel drive 4MATIC system. The Progressive offers a variety of option packages that can add on things like electric front seats, Artico leather, climate control, LED high performance headlamps, an electrically-opening rear windscreen, and 18-inch wheels. A Parking Package will add PARKTRONIC parking assistance and a 360º camera, the latter a boon for those who find utes a bit intimidating to drive.
The X-Class Power will sit as the range flagship, and offers the most style and equipment of the lot (obviously). This car does genuinely set a new standard for luxury in the ute segment, as this variant feels the most like a Mercedes-Benz in terms of presentation. As befits a flagship model, the X-Class Power comes with:
• Front bumper painted in the vehicle colour
• Chromed underbody panelling in front bumper
• Chromed rear bumper
• 18-inch six-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels
• LED High Performance headlamps and part-LED tail lamps
• Electrically adjustable, heated and folding outside mirrors
• Windscreen made of heat insulating glass
• Rain sensing wipers
• Instrument panel with upper section in ARTICO man-made leather including contrasting topstitching and a large trim element with a matt black pixelated look
• Ventilation outlets galvanised in silver shadow
• Black seat upholstery in ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre
• Carpeted floor covering
• COMAND Online multimedia system, navigation and touchpad
• Electrically adjustable front seats with lumbar support
• Steering wheel, shift lever knob and handbrake lever in leather
• Door sill panels in aluminium and illuminated front footwell
• Stowage net in front passenger footwell
• Automatically dimming inside mirror
• Compass in the rearview mirror
• 360-Degree Camera
• PARKTRONIC parking assistance system
• Digital audio with eight-speaker system
• THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control
• Keyless entry and go
• Four-cylinder diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission
• Adjustable load-securing rails on the sides of the load bed
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Active Brake Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist
You can check out our previous article where we featured the X-Class claiming to ‘liberate’ its drivers here, and you can read our launch report on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz X-Class here. And if you’re not a fan of the X-Class, you can read BMW’s opinion on the matter here.
For more information on Mercedes-Benz, check out our Showroom.
