Mercedes-benz X-class

It’s no secret that the Mercedes-benz X-class has been discontinued, but Mercedes-benz New Zealand still has some of these contentious utes to move.

Perhaps now is the time for buyers to look with fresh eyes at the X-class, so without any more ado...

This is the top end of the X-class range – the V6 Power X 350d – and it’s worth noting there are nine models making up the X-class range, the bulk of which are 4WDS.

The X-class you see here is equipped with a Style option pack, which includes privacy tint on the rear windows, roof rails, an electrically operated rear window, 19-inch alloys and side steps.

Under the bonnet is a three-litre, turbodiesel with 190kw available and 550Nm of torque which makes this the most powerful X-class, complete with a traditional Benz seven-speed Geartronic automatic, arguably one of the best seven-speeders on the market.

The X-class has a settable drive mode which gives the option of Eco, Comfort and Sport for driver- controlled engine and gear performance.

Comfort is the default setting, and yet even in this mode, the pulling power of the X-class is tangible; you can feel the restraint on the engine’s power and torque output.

Switch up to Sport mode and the beast is unleashed; you trade a little of that torque potential to gain a significant increase in power/acceleration, but even so, delivered very smoothly.

Which brings us to the business end of the X-class. The X-class appears to have a smaller tray than some of the more workfocused trucks.

In fact, this is an optical illusion brought about by the sports bar which is stylishly rendered as an integral body component, as opposed to a stainless or powder-coated roll-bar.

At 1581mm long, 560mm wide and 1215mm between the wheel wells, the tray tub is longer and wider at the arches than the Nissan Navara on which the X-class is based.

At this point, we’re compelled to report that, contrary to popular belief, the X-class shares a wheelbase with the Nissan Navara, but dimensionally, that’s all. In almost every respect, the X-class is larger and according to Mercedes-benz NZ, not a single panel is interchangeable.

Now back to the tray, which has adjustable tie down rails in the tub, which is itself covered with a lockable ‘armadillo’ roller cover so you do lose a little bit of space, but its incremental and probably worth the price for keeping your stuff dry and secure.

There are hints of Mercedes-benz passenger car line influence in the X-class, the turbine air vents, the infotainment monitor, multi-functional offering Bluetooth connectivity, paddle shifters, cruise control and voice activation, but not the much praised MBUX AI system; shame that.

The interior – while comfortable and roomy – borders on being basic, but if you were looking for Mercedes-benz magic here, you’re looking in the wrong place. Try under the ute.

As well as a praiseworthy powerplant, the X-class will be recognised – by this publication anyway – for its incredibly smooth and sophisticated ride, which comes about through its carlike suspension: double wishbone front with coil springs and multi-link rear with variable rate coil springs.

It has been a hard road for the X-class, paved with the slings and arrows of those looking to make a name for themselves on the back of a risky venture for the Mercedes-benz brand.

Look at the X-class with an unjaundiced eye and – if you want a utility which is arguably one of the most comfortable to drive – check out the ‘sunset’ price of an X-class. It’s a compelling reason to take part in the last phase of the X-class experiment.