- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 6 seats
- Engine
5.0i, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
225kW, 460Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 13.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Mercedes-Benz R500
Split personality
For an exercise in semantics, consider Mercedes-Benz's new R-Class. It looks like a people-mover and is designed to tote around more than your average share of occupants - in this case, six.
Yet it's not a people-mover. Benz calls it a "Grand Sports Tourer". This is probably because the sheen of mediocrity afforded by the people-mover tag didn't sit well with the model's positioning in the market - the base R320 CDi costs $82,900, and you can fork out as much as $122,900 for the range-topping R500L.
But after spending a couple of weeks in various Rs, I reckon Benz is spot on. But if you bought one for the practical benefits of a people-mover, you might be disappointed.
The R's big "unique selling point" is its six-seater (three rows of two) capacity. The middle-row passengers get individual, fully adjustable bucket seats, just like those up front. The rear seats fold flat into the floor, allowing versatility.
And as you'd expect in a $119,200 vehicle, there's plenty of equipment, including satellite navigation, Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound system, heated leather seats, power steering adjustment, climate control for both rows, parking sensors, 18-inch alloys and a fully-fledged safety artillery.
But in practice the R-Class cabin is mystifyingly mediocre behind the front row. The middle-row seats are mounted theatre-style, divided by a bulky removable centre armrest and score points for comfort and ambience. However, that's countered by a surprising shortage of leg space for full-sized adults in the short wheelbase versions we sampled. More costly "L" versions add 235 mm to the wheelbase.
As a five-seater, the R is similarly limited, forcing you to sacrifice half the load space. It's a shortcoming you just don't get in a regular wagon or 4WD.
So the R's talent is carrying six, then? Well, as far as passenger space and comfort goes, the two final-row seats are about as good as it gets, with this six-foot scribe able to squeeze in without complaint. But boot space is cut appreciably with six on board, making serious family-moving duties difficult.
For the driver, the R500 makes more sense. The 225 kW 5.0-litre V8 is a Benz staple and just as enjoyable this time around. Velvety smooth and boasting the kind of polished flexibility that makes driving positively effortless, it's more than capable of lifting its skirts and getting serious if required. But with 2153 kilograms to tote around, outright performance is potent rather than snappy.
Fuel economy is not a happy tale. Our R500 consumed a hefty 18.6 L/100 km around town, dropping to a more acceptable but still uneconomical 13.9 L/100 km following a stint of highway cruising.
With adjustable air suspension, big 18-inch wheels and tyres and Benz's 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, the R500 drives better than something this big and heavy has any right to. The ride quality is nicely compliant, and can be adjusted to a firmer setting if desired, and noise levels are restrained.
The R500 also steers with the poise, agility and predictability you'd expect of a Benz out on the open road but push harder and all that weight rises to the surface. Woolly steering emphasises the ponderous feel.
The R-Class doesn't seem to know whether it wants to be sporty or practical. The result is it's not amazingly proficient in either department. But it looks good, drives well enough and has no direct competition and that will probably be enough to win a loyal following.