First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R Class

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R Class gets schooled

Does new looks and calling it a "crossover," change your opinion about Mercedes' former Grand Tourer?

By John LeBlanc HOBOKEN, N.J. - You might know this New Jersey city from the classic 1950 cartoon short that matched Bugs Bunny with Hoboken Penguin, the top-hat-wearing penguin from the Brooklyn Ice Palace. Or as the site of the first recorded baseball game in the U.S., in 1846. Another bit of information, though, we learned here on the shores of the Hudson River, is that Mercedes-Benz still makes its R-Class three-row crossover. It's understandable if the R has fallen off your car radar. Following its debut at the 2001 Detroit auto show as the Vision Grand Sports Tourer, it was heralded as a new type of vehicle. Similar in concept to Chrysler's discontinued Pacifica or Subaru's slow-selling Tribeca, the R-Class (built in the same U.S. plant as Mercedes-Benz's ML and GL SUV platform mates) was neither minivan fish, nor SUV fowl when it went on sale in 2005. Fantastic as a high-end hotel shuttle, or a comfy ride for real estate agents shifting around clients, the R's grand touring qualities never really caught on with buyers. Instead, its $50,000-plus pricing had many tagging it as the World's Most Expensive Minivan and that stigma resulted in Mercedes selling less than 700 examples in Canada over the past two years. It also didn't help that the sole model that eradicated the R's well-to-do soccer mom image -- the 2007 503-hp R 63 AMG -- only lasted one year. Six years on, instead of a full redesign, the 2011 R-Class makes do with new styling from the windshield forward, some interior tweaks, and the ditching of its former Grand Tourer classification - Mercedes now prefers you call it a crossover. But is it enough to make the new R a competitor against the likes of the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Buick Enclave, Lincoln MKT or Volvo XC90? Losing the fish-eyed styling that linked the R-Class with its so-called baby-brother B-Class, the 2011 model's front-end receives the more chiselled looks from newer Benz models, like the C and E-Class. From the A-pillar back, except for some detailing of the taillights and rear hatch area, Mercedes left the sheetmetal alone. One reason Mercedes justified the R's premium pricing over cheaper minivans was through an interior that offered business-class seating and luxury, and safety features found in other Mercedes vehicles. That hasn't changed much in the new 2011 models. But Mercedes has added several new two-tone interior trim combinations for HGTV addicts (i.e. a base Almond Beige colour can be combined with a contrasting shade of Mocha Brown), white-faced driver instrumentation, and more aluminum and wood trim. What hasn't been updated is the R's centre stack layout. Unlike rivals that offer large, touchscreen interfaces, the 2011 model is still stuck with the dated-looking and unintuitive COMAND system. At least an SD card slot, four gigabytes music hard drive, iPod integration and an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system are available. Beyond its schnoz and interior colour schemes, the new 2011 R isn't, well, all that new. Drivetrains and interior packaging continue on. Not only is the minivan-on-steroids AMG model long gone, so is the old 5.0-litre V8. Just like last year, the 2011 Rs will come with a pair of V6s: a 3.5-litre gas unit with 268 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque; and a 210-hp 3.0-litre turbodiesel that guts out 400 lb.-ft. Both mills are mated to a tweaked-for-economy version of last year's seven-speed automatic, with standard 4Matic all-wheel drive. Mercedes Canada hasn't confirmed pricing yet, but it'll be announced soon as it's set to go on sale in July. Last year's gas R started at $54,700, the diesel an additional $1,500. Whichever engine you choose, the new R is still a very accommodating and comfortable six or seven-person carrier. Its wide back doors allow easy access to its two back rows. Most Canadians opt for the second-row bench that makes the Mercedes a seven-seater. But the two-captain-chair, second row version means all six on board are treated to plenty of room on long road trips. With all three rows up, its 296 litres is more spacious than the Audi, about the same as the Acura, but less than the capacious Lincoln. At least with the second and third-row seating folded down, the R still does a good imitation of a jetliner hangar. Although our time in the R models was limited to short routes up and down the Hudson River, starting in New Jersey, heading north into Westchester County on the New York side, ending up in Manhattan's trendy SoHo district, it became quickly obvious that Mercedes hasn't messed too much with its road manners -- good or bad. It's still one of those vehicles that families should feel secure in knowing you have some of the most up-to-date safety features on board. Rs come equipped with Benz's anticipatory occupant protection system Pre-Safe, a complete restraint system with eight airbags, crash-active Neck-Pro head restraints, a tire pressure loss warning system and adaptive brake lights. Also available are Distronic radar cruise control, Airmatic air suspension with the adaptive damping, and Blind Spot Assist. Although the gas-powered R 350 is exceptionally smooth underfoot, there's good reason why Mercedes says about 80 per cent of R sales are the R 350 BlueTec 4Matic with its torque-laden and more fuel-efficient diesel. Although the BlueTec is about half-second behind the gas R with an 8.8-second 0-100 km/h acceleration time, subjectively, it feels stronger off the line. And based on last year's fuel ratings, it's substantially easier on the gas card. The diesel scores 10.3 L/100 km in the city versus the gas R's 14.4, and on those long trips to the cottage or ski chalet with the offspring onboard, an amazing 8.2 L/100 km versus 10.3. Just as the original, compared to other SUVs or crossovers with higher centres of gravity, the R handles relatively well. Just don't mistake the R for a sports wagon. Although its slow steering and large footprint made for cautious manoeuvres in lower Manhattan's cramped streets, the prairie-like distance between its front and rear axles afforded a whipped-cream-smooth ride out on the interstate. The changes to the 2011 R-Class don't seem enough to make customers question whether it's a minivan, or an SUV. Redubbing it crossover and giving it more conventional SUV front styling, may remove some of the original's ambiguity for some customers. However, taken in isolation -- and especially the R 350 BlueTec diesel version -- it's a safe, comfortable, roomy, and relatively economical vehicle for those who value luxury features in a people hauler. 2011 Mercedes-Benz R 350 4Matic WHAT WE LIKE: More contemporary styling; roomy and luxurious interior; smooth drivetrains and diesel option WHAT WE DON'T: Ambiguous personality; dated interior design; minivan image and driving characteristics Base price (est.): $54,700 Type of vehicle: AWD luxury crossover Engines: 3.5L, 24-valve, DOHC V6 Power / Torque: 268 hp / 258 lb.-ft. Transmissions: Seven-speed automatic Fuel consumption (city/hwy; est.): 14.4 / 10.3 L/100 km Competition: Acura MDX, BMW X5 xDrive35i, Buick Enclave, Audi Q7 3.0TFSI, Lincoln MKT EcoBoost, Volvo XC90 V8

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