Earlier this month, when we reported that Mercedes was offering dealers $5,000 for every R-Class they sold, it was clear that the wagon-van-SUV-crossover might not be selling as well as the automaker had hoped. According to a report Monday by the Financial Times, the six-seater could be in trouble in the United States. The report indicates that most dealers are passing the $5,000 cash directly to buyers, meaning the R-Class is a tough sell at nearly $49,000. Moreover, the car has been “dogged by technical problems that forced the recall this month of most sales.” While it’s still early to make any judgments about the R-Class, the reasons for concern are not hard to see. Will this “grand sports tourer” sell well like pricey CLS-Class or flop like the overpriced Crossfire? That remains to be seen…
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04/25, 5:29 PM
posted by:
Josh
It looks like a very expensive hearse !!
04/25, 5:37 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Since a hearse is a handbuilt custom coachwork for commercial use, you may be surprised to find that new hearses start around $80,000. So the Benz would be the cheap, chintzy imitation.
04/25, 5:40 PM
posted by:
Northeasterner
Ok, it is a nice idea, but how many people do you know that would drop 50k on a minivan-like vehicle, even if it has a MB badge on it? …I don’t know any.
04/25, 7:49 PM
posted by:
Anonymous
This is what happens when you make a car that’s a solution trying to find a problem rather than a solution to a problem.
CAR just did a test of an R320 CDI against a Grand Espace 3.0 V6 dCi, an XC90 D5 and a 535d Touring. In the event, the MB ended up being generally inferior to other cars in their respective classes. The final tally was: first place 535d, second place XC90, third place R320, fourth place Grand Espace.
Kudos to MB for trying, though.
04/25, 8:41 PM
posted by:
Rohit
I’m a great fan of Mercedes, so it pains me to say this. The R-Class was an interesting idea – and while I praise MB for taking the risk of coming up with this car – it is just *bad*. I’m not really sure what it’s trying to be. And that’s the problem. Why would you get an R-Class, which holds 6 people? You’d get the M-Class, and seat 5-people, or trade up to the GL-Class. The one lucky thing (for Benz) is that all 3 share the same platform. But yes, the model proliferation from the Germans is getting ridiculous. The R needs to die. No more stuff! (I wonder if BMW is planning to shutter development of its R rival?)
04/25, 9:32 PM
posted by:
moody
That anonymous comment was by me… I’d forgotten that I’d run ccleaner.
04/25, 9:32 PM
posted by:
avus
We actually test drove the r-class as an ‘SUV alternative’ for our Range Rover. For the price they were asking for a R500, (same as a Range Rover Sport), I was turned off by the large amount of plastic and lack of standard features. the vehicle just came across as ‘unfinished,’ void of any character.
The salesman couldn’t explain to me as how the GL with the better/newer V8 engine and more capacity was less than the R class.
04/25, 9:50 PM
posted by:
87 635CSI
It’s a dressed up Dodge Caliber and I don’t like it.
04/25, 10:26 PM
posted by:
Phil
You mean Pacifica, 87 635CSI.
04/25, 10:50 PM
posted by:
manny
im tired of that argument… pacifica and r-class are related in concept only…
its still too expensive for a minivan…
04/25, 11:27 PM
posted by:
Mitch
Interesting how 50k is ‘too much for a ‘minivan-like vehicle’, but if this R class sat 7 inches higher and had ‘tuff’ body extensions, I wonder if it would be called a decent bargain for an ’suv-like vehicle’?
04/25, 11:35 PM
posted by:
manny
no… you can also get a real benz suv for less… unless you really need the 7 seats, then you need the more expensive gl-class…
04/26, 12:46 AM
posted by:
Randal Dawkins
They seem to abound in NYC. No surprise. If Mercedes has a problem with sales of the R class they only have themselves to blame. Do not produce a new idea in packaging to middle America without new propaganda to sell it. Current MB advertising is identical to MB under Studebaker circa 1960. Excellent yes, but most of America likes their Benz’s inside a Chrysler at said price these days. New vehicle, produce new and viable reason’s for American customers to respond. They probably will. After all, it is a Mercedes.
04/26, 12:47 AM
posted by:
James
The R class is larger than its GL baby cousin, which in turn is larger than the ML.
The R class just grew so big when it was young, it didn’t have a chance to grow long legs.
04/26, 1:46 AM
posted by:
Edward
Why get a R class when you can get a much better looking, less expensive (yet less powerful) Pacifica. Let’s be real here. Noone is looking for power with this glorified minivan/wagon. A 6.3 litre AMG V8 is not going to appeal to rich soccer moms… well, equestrian team moms. Next to that hideous Sports Coupé hatchback, this has got to be one of the ugliest models put out my Mercedes.
04/26, 9:39 AM
posted by:
tony
That is why I got my wife an X3 instead of the Pacifica.
04/26, 10:56 AM
posted by:
Thom
My wife & I just bought a ‘06 Odyssey, and are getting a convertible (slightly used) for her “fun side.” We will STILL be saving money over the R-class (which we both find UGLY), and now have two vehicles. Oh and the insurance for both is less than just the R-class. Yikes.
04/27, 5:08 AM
posted by:
Randal Dawkins
Pacifica, whatever. It’s stil a Chrysler. Check resale for reality. R-class buyers aren’t torn between the two, chances are they don’t even know where a Chrysler dealership is, regardless of same corporation. Further proof, BMW and Volvo are chewing resources with haste to have a competitor. To the Mercedes, not the Chrysler.
04/27, 5:16 AM
posted by:
Randal Dawkins
And don’t be surprised if the ‘newest’ model in the Lexus line isn’t a rebaged Sienna. Corporations don’t matter. It’s what the driver wants as representative.