Most people think of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class as a minivan, but not Mercedes-Benz. The automaker calls it an SUV, but one that “defies the rigid definition of its category.”
Whatever.
We’re not here to split semantic hairs or second-guess. We’re here to report on our week with a certain Silver Metallic 2011 R 350 BlueTEC.
With a base price of $56,700, this diesel-powered rig is the more expensive of the two R-Class models on offer. The other is the $55,200 R 350, which features the gasoline-consuming 3.5L V6. Both models come standard with 4MATIC, the automaker’s permanent all-wheel-drive system.
Less Radical
When the R-Class debuted in 2006, the swoopy “coupe-like” styling seemed radical for a 7-seat minivan/SUV-type vehicle. Five years later it looks less so, as more and more daring “anti-SUV” styling treatments abound, and a mid-cycle styling refresh for the 2011 model year gave the R-Class a more upright and masculine look, and one that connects it more thoroughly to Mercedes-Benz’s other SUVs (GLK, ML, GL).
Like more than a few people, I didn’t totally warm to the earlier look, but the recent styling tweaks made me a convert. I particularly dig the strong front end, with its LED daytime running lights and dark-tinted Xenon headlights.
Our tester's looks also benefited from the optional Sports Package ($2,800), which swaps out standard 19” wheels for serious-looking AMG 20-inchers.
BlueTEC Bonus
The other major thing to like about this R-Class is the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel BlueTEC V6. It seems to make every Mercedes it’s in a better Mercedes. With 210 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, it effortlessly moves the big Merc along and is quiet, clean (meets BIN 5 emission standards) and fuel-efficient to boot at 8.2L/100km on the highway. Not surprisingly, it’s getting a lot of love from Canadian R-Class buyers; over 75 percent are driving home with BlueTEC models.
The 7-speed automatic transmission makes super smooth shifts, though it might prefer upshifts to downshifts, producing a slight hesitation now and then.
Whatever.
We’re not here to split semantic hairs or second-guess. We’re here to report on our week with a certain Silver Metallic 2011 R 350 BlueTEC.
 |
| I particularly dig the strong front end, with its LED daytime running lights and dark-tinted Xenon headlights. (Photo: Mike Goetz/Auto123.com) |
With a base price of $56,700, this diesel-powered rig is the more expensive of the two R-Class models on offer. The other is the $55,200 R 350, which features the gasoline-consuming 3.5L V6. Both models come standard with 4MATIC, the automaker’s permanent all-wheel-drive system.
Less Radical
When the R-Class debuted in 2006, the swoopy “coupe-like” styling seemed radical for a 7-seat minivan/SUV-type vehicle. Five years later it looks less so, as more and more daring “anti-SUV” styling treatments abound, and a mid-cycle styling refresh for the 2011 model year gave the R-Class a more upright and masculine look, and one that connects it more thoroughly to Mercedes-Benz’s other SUVs (GLK, ML, GL).
Like more than a few people, I didn’t totally warm to the earlier look, but the recent styling tweaks made me a convert. I particularly dig the strong front end, with its LED daytime running lights and dark-tinted Xenon headlights.
Our tester's looks also benefited from the optional Sports Package ($2,800), which swaps out standard 19” wheels for serious-looking AMG 20-inchers.
BlueTEC Bonus
The other major thing to like about this R-Class is the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel BlueTEC V6. It seems to make every Mercedes it’s in a better Mercedes. With 210 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, it effortlessly moves the big Merc along and is quiet, clean (meets BIN 5 emission standards) and fuel-efficient to boot at 8.2L/100km on the highway. Not surprisingly, it’s getting a lot of love from Canadian R-Class buyers; over 75 percent are driving home with BlueTEC models.
The 7-speed automatic transmission makes super smooth shifts, though it might prefer upshifts to downshifts, producing a slight hesitation now and then.
 |
| With 210 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, it effortlessly moves the big Merc.(Photo: Mercedes-Benz) |