Pros and Cons*
Pros
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz R Class, available with a choice of two engines, is extremely versatile, has oodles of cargo room, is equipped with an extremely comfortable rear seat, and can haul seven or eight passengers in all-wheel drive style. In a nutshell, it's everything that the most demanding drivers can dream of.
Cons
Its bland looks blur the line between SUV, full-size sedan, family wagon, and minivan. Its high MSRP and maintenance costs, outdated interior design, and poor road handling certainly don't help.
Price
The R Class 350 4MATIC starts at $57,800. It comes with standard 19-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights and heated steering wheel. Options include wood/leather steering wheel and a rear-seat entertainment package.
The R Class BlueTEC 4MATIC costs $1,100 more, for a total of $58,900. It comes equipped with standard electrical tilt and telescopic wheel and an optional chrome package.
Additional Mercedes-Benz R Class options include: premium front seating package at $2,000, premium rear seating package at $1,400, sport package at $2,600 and premium package at $4,200.
Fuel consumption
The gas-powered engine consumes 13.5 L/100 km city and 9.6 L/100 km highway. Diesel engine ratings are 11.7 L/100 km in city testing and 8.2 L/100 km in highway testing.
Exterior design
Its elongated silhouette suggests minivan, but it's equipped with traditional non-sliding doors. The front end displays the trademark Mercedes solid and stoic style that commands respect, while the rear end trades ease of access for a larger payload capacity.
Drivetrain
The all-wheel drive R 350 4MATIC is powered by a 3.5 litre V6 that produces 302 hp and 273 lb-ft torque, delivered to the wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode.
The BlueTEC version has a turbo diesel 3.0 litre V6 that delivers 210 hp and an impressive 400 lb-ft torque.
This engine is mated to the wheels through the same7-speed automatic transmission.
Luggage capacity
A total of 2,385 litres of cargo room is available when the rear seats are reclined.
Security
In addition to the six standard airbags, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz R Class is equipped with a number of safety features designed to protect the occupants, such as sensor-controlled front headrests to reduce the risk of whiplash. Electronic stability program and a brake assist system, among others, help avoid such accidents.
Comparable models
Audi Q7, Infiniti JX, Land Rover LR4, Lexus GX, Lincoln MKT, Volvo XC90
*Références
Rufiange Daniel, L’annuel de l’automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.436
Charette Daniel, L’auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions La Presse, 2012, p.418
www.mercedes-benz.ca
Pros
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz R Class, available with a choice of two engines, is extremely versatile, has oodles of cargo room, is equipped with an extremely comfortable rear seat, and can haul seven or eight passengers in all-wheel drive style. In a nutshell, it's everything that the most demanding drivers can dream of.
Cons
Its bland looks blur the line between SUV, full-size sedan, family wagon, and minivan. Its high MSRP and maintenance costs, outdated interior design, and poor road handling certainly don't help.
 |
| (Photo: Mercedes-Benz) |
Price
The R Class 350 4MATIC starts at $57,800. It comes with standard 19-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights and heated steering wheel. Options include wood/leather steering wheel and a rear-seat entertainment package.
The R Class BlueTEC 4MATIC costs $1,100 more, for a total of $58,900. It comes equipped with standard electrical tilt and telescopic wheel and an optional chrome package.
Additional Mercedes-Benz R Class options include: premium front seating package at $2,000, premium rear seating package at $1,400, sport package at $2,600 and premium package at $4,200.
Fuel consumption
The gas-powered engine consumes 13.5 L/100 km city and 9.6 L/100 km highway. Diesel engine ratings are 11.7 L/100 km in city testing and 8.2 L/100 km in highway testing.
Exterior design
Its elongated silhouette suggests minivan, but it's equipped with traditional non-sliding doors. The front end displays the trademark Mercedes solid and stoic style that commands respect, while the rear end trades ease of access for a larger payload capacity.
 |
| (Photo: Mercedes-Benz) |
Drivetrain
The all-wheel drive R 350 4MATIC is powered by a 3.5 litre V6 that produces 302 hp and 273 lb-ft torque, delivered to the wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode.
The BlueTEC version has a turbo diesel 3.0 litre V6 that delivers 210 hp and an impressive 400 lb-ft torque.
This engine is mated to the wheels through the same7-speed automatic transmission.
Luggage capacity
A total of 2,385 litres of cargo room is available when the rear seats are reclined.
Security
In addition to the six standard airbags, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz R Class is equipped with a number of safety features designed to protect the occupants, such as sensor-controlled front headrests to reduce the risk of whiplash. Electronic stability program and a brake assist system, among others, help avoid such accidents.
Comparable models
Audi Q7, Infiniti JX, Land Rover LR4, Lexus GX, Lincoln MKT, Volvo XC90
*Références
Rufiange Daniel, L’annuel de l’automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.436
Charette Daniel, L’auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions La Presse, 2012, p.418
www.mercedes-benz.ca