MERCEDES X-CLASS
We ponder whether this posh pick-up can fit into our life
As V6 pick-up heads off, we ask if it does enough to justify its high price
THERE comes a point in just about every long-term test of a car when you begin to wonder whether it’s a machine you’d want permanently in your life.
Sometimes the thought is only fleeting, when the car has proved itself obviously unsuitable. It’s usually a fundamental flaw, like it won’t carry all the family, or it has a poor ride or a gearbox that you just couldn’t bring yourself to spend money on. But I’ve been having serious longer-term thoughts about the Mercedes X 350 d that has come to the end of its six months on our fleet.
First, I should declare an interest – I’m a huge pick-up fan. They perfectly suit my current family requirements and hobbies, lugging track and rally cars, tools and spares all over the country and abroad. And I love that you can keep all the grubby, smelly bits separate from passengers and luggage.
I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced lots of pick-up trucks over the years, and there’s no doubt that the X 350 d is the cream of the crop. Trucks don’t get much better than this, or as far from their commercial roots. Mercedes has worked wonders with the ride, transforming it from its humble
base in the Nissan Navara and making it something I can easily live with. Yes, there are surfaces that unsettle it, but there is nowhere near the level of shuddering and crashing I’ve felt in rivals.
It’s complemented by the engine. That 254bhp 3.0-litre V6 never felt lacking, even on several long towing sessions with my Ford Escort on a trailer and the cabin loaded with passengers and luggage. Getting up to speed on a slip road requires just a bit of throttle, and the slick – if slow-witted – sevenspeed auto rarely has to downshift. There’s a gruffness to the engine that I like, too.
Then there’s the cabin, with elements taken from elsewhere within the Mercedes range. It’s a great place to spend a few hours, thanks to its leather upholstery, effective air-conditioning and solid-feeling controls.
There’s no avoiding the fact that this is a big vehicle, so the optional Parking package is a must. The 360-degree cameras make it easy to judge where its extremities are, while hitching a trailer is a breeze. Finally there’s the undoubted presence the X-Class has compared to its rivals. That three-pointed star moves the truck upmarket on its own
and attracts attention. All these positives have me checking bank statements and finance deals, but there are areas where I’ve found the X-Class lacking.
My major gripe has to be the COMAND Online infotainment system. Its impressive 8.4-inch screen dominates the dash, but the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is a shame. At this level and price it’s unacceptable, particularly for those that prefer using a continually updated sat-nav app over a built-in system.
I eventually found my way around the menus and got it to do what I wanted, but I’m not convinced I’d want to spend almost £3,000 on an optional system that lacks these features. The USB socket in the armrest is a pain, too, because it leaves a long wire trailing across the cabin. At least it supplied enough power to keep my iPhone charged.
Another option that fell short was the roll top cover, which leaked and seemed to
get worse as time went on. I’ve used these before and they have been more watertight, so it may just be a fitting issue. It comes with a separate key to lock it, which is acceptable for an aftermarket fitting, but what’s not so easy to live with is the tailgate, which isn’t part of the central-locking system. It needs to be physically locked separately and requires removing the key from the fob.
My other issue was the fact the X-Class only returned 22mpg. But with the amount of towing it did, I’m not surprised it didn’t get close to its claimed best of 31.4mpg.
So am I going to seek out an X-Class now this one has gone? It’s a reluctant no. Whenever I spoke to people about it they were impressed, but nobody could believe that it cost north of £58,000 in tested spec.
That’s why I’d go for a much lessexpensive alternative that does the job almost as well. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to miss it like hell, though...
“Mercedes has worked wonders with the ride, making it something I can live with”