NEWS ANALYSIS: Mercedes focuses on the high end with X-Class launch

Date: Friday, February 9, 2018 | Author: James Dallas

Rear _Mercedes -Benz -X-Class -13 We got the chance to drive the X250 X-Class in the flagship Power trim with the seven-speed automatic transmission.

This model comes with a serious amount of kit to befit its exclusive billing. In addition to the safety equipment that is standard on the whole line-up – such as active brake assist, lane keeping assist, traffic sign assist, hill-start assist and a reversing camera – the Power gets features like painted bumpers with a chrome under guard, chrome rear bumper with integrated rear step, LED headlights with a cleaning system, keyless ignition, eight-way adjustable driver and front passenger seats, leather upholstery and dash, and 18-inch six twin-spoke alloys.

For Power customers needing even more bling the Style Package (£1,345) offers 19-inch alloys, privacy glass, electric rear windows, running boards and roof rails. The Parking Package, available for both Progressive and Power, costs £570 and includes the excellent 360° camera inherited from the Nissan Navara.

The pick-up owes a lot to the Navara, including its multi-link rear suspension, which contributes to an extremely smooth ride, but it is a step up in terms of refinement compared to the Nissan model.

The X-Class is the manufacturer’s second attempt to break into an LCV market segment through adapting another brand’s vehicle – following its launch of the Renault Kangoo-based Citan five years ago – and first impressions are that the pick-up is a far more convincing Mercedes than the light van that preceded it.

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