The What Van? Road Test: Mercedes-Benz X-Class

Date: Tuesday, June 26, 2018 | Author: Steve Banner

Mercedes-Benz is making its first foray into the purpose-built pick-up market with the launch of the pricey X-Class.

Sold solely as a diesel four-door five-seater double-cab 4x4, it is aimed at the premium end of the sector, and at Volkswagen’s Amarok in particular.

Take a look under the surface, however, and you will discover that the 2.3-litre engine it employs has been borrowed, like various other bits of the truck, from Nissan’s somewhat cheaper Navara.

It is on offer at either 163hp (in the X220d) or 190hp (in the X250d). The former is supplied with a six-speed manual gearbox while the latter is married to a seven-speed automatic.

Summer will see the arrival of an Amarok-bashing X350d 3.0-litre V6 auto with 258hp on tap.

Marketed through the Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle network, the X-Class is on sale with three specification levels: Pure, Progressive, and top-of-the-range Power.

Liking our comfort, we opted to sample the X250d in Power guise, although none of the three trimscan be described as downmarket.

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