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Basic Specs
| Base Price | $52,690 |
| Drivetrain | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 4960 |
| City (MPG) | 16 |
| Hwy (MPG) | 21 |
| Horsepower | 302@6500 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 273@6500 |
| Wheelbase | 126.6 |
| Length (in.) | 203.1 |
| Width (in.) | 85.4 |
| Height (in.) | 65.4 |
The Mercedes Benz R-Class is something of an enigma. The company calls it a crossover, but visually it resembles a minivan morphing into a tall wagon more than a SUV crossing over into car territory, the later of which the automaker would likely prefer. Puzzled car buyers have largely avoided the vehicle altogether. Irrespective of its hazy place in the automotive hierarchy, the capable R-Class provides the space and sybaritic appointments to carry up to seven passengers in complete comfort while eating up highway miles.
The vehicle’s car-based underpinnings consist of a unibody platform and four-wheel independent suspension with double control arms in the front and four-link air suspension at the rear. Ample braking is provided by large four-wheel disc brakes, with vented discs and double-piston calipers up front, while the electrically assisted rack-and pinion steering is accurate if not particularly tactile.
The R-Class is offered in gasoline and diesel-powered models, both of which utilize a smooth-shifting seven-speed automatic transmission. With a 3.5-liter V6, the gas-burning RL350 puts out 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque and comes standard with Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The RL350 BlueTEC ‘s 3.0-liter diesel six is perhaps better suited to the laid-back character of the vehicle, with plentiful torque (a whopping 400 lb-ft) for easy acceleration and a 500-mile cruising range at highway speeds.
Fuel economy checks in at 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway for the R350 4MATIC and 18/23 for the R350 BlueTEC 4MATIC.
Inside, the R-Class provides first-class accommodations with three rows of seating that provide individual reading lights, armrests, air vents and cup holders for each passenger. Two bucket seats are standard in the second row, providing a total of six seats, but customers who prefer more seating capacity may opt for 2nd-row bench seat that allows the vehicle to carry seven occupants. Up front, a simple but elegant dashboard features genuine wood trim and ergonomic controls.
The R-Class comes handsomely equipped in standard form, with a sunroof, eight-way adjustable power front seats, rearview camera, 6-disc CD/DVD changer and COMAND system featuring hard-drive navigation, four gigabytes of music storage, SIRIUS/HD radio, SIRIUS real-time traffic updates, Gracenote Media Database and voice control.
For customers desirous of a truly hedonistic vehicle, several options packages are available to up the luxury quotient.
The Premium One Package includes an iPod/MP3 media interface, a power tilt/telescoping steering column, auto-dimming and power folding side mirrors and a rear view mirror with an integrated compass, a power liftgate and household-type 115-volt power outlet.
The Premium Two Package adds a 610-watt Harmon/Kardon sound system specifically designed for the R-Class and a Keyless-Go system that allows the driver to unlock and start the car without taking the key out of his or her pocket.
With dual 7-inch LCD screens and a multitude of input options, the optional Rear Seat Entertainment system lets passengers in the second row watch DVD movies or attach a portable gaming console. They can pursue their entertainment options together or individually, with two pairs of headsets and wireless remotes. Or, alternatively, the sound from the screens can be played through the vehicle's audio system so the 3rd-row can watch as well.
An AMG packages nets 20-inch 5-spoke wheels and tinted glass but does not include any performance enhancements.
Mercedes-Benz has long been known for its safety features, and the R-Class looks to continue that tradition. In addition to ABS and ESP stability control, the vehicle boasts nine supplemental restraints including two-stage front air bags, a knee air bag for the driver and pelvic air bags which work together with curtain and side air bags to provide extra protection for front occupants in dangerous side-impact collisions.
Also standard is an “ATTENTION ASSIST” system that can alert the driver to the first signs of drowsiness, a factor that causes more than 100,000 accidents a year in the U.S. A steering sensor is coupled to smart software that uses 70 parameters to establish a unique driver profile during the first 20 minutes of driving. Between 50 and 112 mph, the system identifies the erratic steering corrections drivers make as they begin to get drowsy and triggers an audible warning and a "Time for a Rest?" message with a coffee cup icon in the instrument cluster.
Finally, the PRE-SAFE system can actually sense an impending collision before it happens and take measures to protect occupants during those valuable seconds before impact. The PRE-SAFE system automatically tightens the front seat belts before a possible impact, and the front passenger seat can also moves to a position that provides better protection. Side windows also close to provide better support for the window curtain air bags. If the system senses an impending rollover, the sunroof will close, too.
Key competitors
No one quite makes a luxury minivan-turned-crossover like the R-Class, but some relatively comparable vehicles might include the Lincoln MKT or Audi Q7.
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- General
- Body Style: Wagon
- Size: Fullsize
- Market Segment: Luxury
- Weight: 4960 lbs
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- Exterior
- Length: 203.1 in.
- Width: 85.4 in.
- Height: 65.4 in.
- Wheelbase: 126.6 in.
- Ground Clearance: 5.8 in.
- Front Track: 65.4 in.
- Rear Track: 65.0 in.
- Weight Distribution: TBD
- Drag Coefficient: TBD
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- Interior - General
- Seats: 6
- Passenger Volume: 162.1 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume: 15.2 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): 85.0 cu. ft.
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- Interior - Front Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 39.8 in.
- Head Room: 39.8 in.
- Shoulder Room: 60.3 in.
- Hip Room: TBD
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- Interior - Second Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 36.2 in.
- Head Room: 40.4 in.
- Shoulder Room: 59.6 in.
- Hip Room: TBD
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- Interior - Third Row
- Leg Room: 32.4 in.
- Head Room: 37.2 in.
- Shoulder Room: 52.8 in.
- Hip Room: TBD
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- Propulsion
- Fuel Type: Gas
- Engine Type: 3.5L V6
- Power: 302 hp @ 6500 rpm
- Torque: 273 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm
- Transmission: 7-Speed Automatic
- Highway Fuel Economy: 21 mpg
- City Fuel Economy: 16 mpg
- Forced Induction: None
- Direct Injection: Yes
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- Chassis
- Layout: Rear Wheel Drive
- Front Suspension: Double Wishbone
- Rear Suspension: Multi-Link
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- Wheels
- Front: 19" Aluminum
- Front Tires: 255/50R19
- Rear: 19" Aluminum
- Rear Tires: 255/50R19
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- Trailering & Hauling
- Trailer Weight: 3500 lbs
- Payload: N/A
- Tongue Weight: TBD
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