Mercedes-Benz R-Class

The R-Class has great people-carrying credentials.

Auto Express Car Reviews

On the road price: £36,825 - £53,775
For : Huge interior, distinctive looks, smooth engines
Against : Wallowy handling, not cheap, fuel economy

Driving
Underneath the radical skin of the R-Class lies the sophisticated chassis from the M-Class off-roader. The base R 280 CDI comes in rear-wheel-drive guise but 4MATIC four-wheel-drive is available on the R 320 CDI and R 500. This gives it a feeling of security, particularly in bad weather, while the R-Class also rides well, especially with the optional air suspension set-up. It’s certainly more suited to such cruising than cornering, where its weight and girth start to have a negative effect. Even with air suspension switched to Sport mode, the big Merc wallows noticeably around tight bends, making the manufacturer’s claims that it has a sporting estate feel about it seem unrealistic. The V6 diesels are smooth and refined though, while the 388bhp 5.5-litre V8 petrol is a delight, hitting 60mph in just 6.3 seconds.

Marketplace
The R-Class is a groundbreaking car. A luxury people carrier which is the same size as an S-Class, it also has the space and practicality of an SUV with the premium badge and feel of a Range Rover or BMW X5 – and was designed to tempt buyers away from them. Up to now, however, the model has failed in the UK, which is why the company had a rethink in 2007. Out went the six-seat set-up, in came a conventional five-seat set-up with an optional seven-seat version available. On all models other than the base R 280 CDI, you can also get a long-wheelbase option, while trims are simple – either SE or Sport. All R-Class now get an imposing AMG body styling kit and 18-inch alloys, helping them compete with a wide range of models, from Mercedes’ own M-Class to high-line Renault Espace and seven-seat SUVs such as the Audi Q7.

Owning
The R-Class’ finest attribute is its spacious interior. It will comfortably swallow up to seven full-sized adults and some of their possessions – while travel five-up and there’s a gigantic 869-litre boot to load with luggage. And in the long-wheelbase version, that’s stretched to a mammoth 1,048 litres! This is a truly vast machine inside. It’s worth noting, though, that access to the rear is easier in the long-wheelbase version. As for interior quality, the R-Class marks a return to form. Everything has the quality feel you would expect from a car in its price range. Equipment levels were also improved following the 2007 realignment, but while prices were rejigged too, this remains an expensive machine, with residuals that seem a little average by Mercedes’ usual standards. Don’t expect more than 30mpg even from the diesels, either – and the reality will be worse than this, such is the bulk of the big R-Class.