– Article/photos by Rod Fuller –
X-Class, the ‘looker’ of the 4×4 ute market, beautifully styled, both sophisticated and aggressive with a road presence that absolutely demands attention. Its certainly got style, and has substance as well.
Mercedes Benz has done a fantastic job creating X-Class, taking a donor vehicle (Nissan Navara) and re-engineering/re-imagining it into a vehicle worthy of the ‘three pointed star’. I’ve driven both Navara and X-Class and apart from sharing a design platform, there isn’t much about X-Class that resembles Navara (except probably the doors and that silly little power sliding window in the rear window). X-Class simply, looks better, drives better, feels better.
X-Class has a road presence that screams “look at me” it’s big, bold and beautiful. Even in a parking space X-Class just owns it! Many times while I had the X-Class, random strangers would approach me asking questions about it – it commands that much attention!
Riding on 255/55R19 Bridgestone’s (part of the optional style pack) the X250d Power I drove, is very comfortable on the road with a minimum of road noise entering the cabin. It’s no S-Class, but for a 4×4 ute it’s the quietest and most comfortable I’ve driven. The X250d Power scores leather seats all round, heated in front and eight way adjustable for the driver; dual zone climate control, a cargo net in the front passenger footwell, privacy glass, keyless entry and start, soft touch finishes and a distinctively Mercedes dashboard. Giving a very premium feel to the interior of the vehicle.
The infotainment system has an 8.4” display screen (not a touch screen) which is very clear and easy to read, but controlled by a dial and touchpad on the console which was awkward and rather frustrating to use. There is Sat Nav and Bluetooth, but no Apple Car Play/Android Auto. Additionally I found the indicators and wiper functions being on the one control stalk (on the left) a bit weird, as many times I reached for the indictors and felt nothing but air.
Lane Keep Assist and a 360⁰ around view camera is provided, as well as front and rear parking sensors.
A one tonne payload and 3.5 tonne braked towing capacity, helps X-Class get the job done. The load area is a decent size (1581mm L x 1560mm W x 475mm H) with a tub liner and adjustable tie down points.
On or off road, X-Class has the power to match its aggressive styling. A 140kW/450Nm 2.3 litre twin turbo diesel with a seven speed auto hides beneath its curvaceous lines, and returns fuel economy in the realm of 7.9lt/100km (combined cycle). And if that’s not enough power to “pull the skin off of your rice pudding”, there’s also the option of the X-Class V6 which boasts 190kW/550Nm!
X-Class’s off road capability is up there with all competitors with 220mm ground clearance, approach and departure angles of 30⁰ and 25⁰ respectively as well as a wading depth of 600mm. It will pretty much go wherever you want. But with 19” alloys you’d want to be careful with serious ‘off roading’; maybe swap them out for a set of 16” steel rims with A/T tyres for that ‘adventure’ and swap back when you get home. An easy selector switch for changing from 2WD/4WD H/4WD L is provided along with diff lock and hill descent control, making handling tricky conditions that much easier.
Mercedes Benz provides a three year 200,000km warranty on all X-Class as well as 24hr roadside assistance during the warranty period. Service intervals are 12 months or 20,000km and service care plans are available.
Mercedes Benz X-Class, a Big Bold and Beautiful 4×4 ute, that will compliment any lifestyle, whether it’s parked in Paddington or bashing about in the bush.
