Mercedes-Benz X 250d 4MATIC Power 2018 Review - International

It says much about the changing state of the Australian new vehicle market that the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class pick-up is so hotly anticipated.

That simply reflects where buyers are spending their money these days. Ladder frame one-tonne utes (pick-ups) are big business, especially high-end dual-cabs.

Combine that with the Aussie affection for luxury badges and there’s no higher-end pick-up than one with the three-pointed star on the nose… Even if it is a re-styled, re-engineered and rehashed Nissan Navara.

It’s not a Navara…
Benz has been at pains to explain the substantial changes it has made in transitioning from Navara to X-Class. A stiffened ladder frame chassis, separate 70mm wider body, a substantial retune of the problematic Navara multi-link and coil rear live axle suspension, an upgraded interior, a substantial investment in sound deadening and a big pile of equipment all make the list.

But the four-cylinder versions of the X-Class still share the Nissan’s Renault engines, six-speed manual, seven-speed auto transmissions and part-time 4x4 systems. The X-Class is even built in a Nissan plant alongside the Navara in Spain.

That’s where the Australian line-up of X-Class models will come from, starting with 13 variations of the four-cylinder 120kW/403Nm X 220d and 140kW/450Nm X 250d in April (2018). At the global launch in Chile last week, we got the chance to sample the X 250d 4Matic in the top Power trim and equipment level.

All the details about Australian equipment and specification are detailed in our news pages. We’ve also published the key numbers and how the X-Class shapes up against its rivals in a comprehensive story under our Advice section.

At the Chilean event there was no entry-level X 220d to drive, nor the enticing X 350d 4Matic with its 190kW/550Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine and permanent Benz 4x4 system that comes mid-2018. But we did get to go for a passenger drive in the V6 and the five-minute blast up and down a closed road proved a real highlight. The driver was an engineer by the name of Frank Schumacher… And he drove like his name suggested.

Not only did the V6 go hard in a straight line, Schumacher wheeled it into corners with an enthusiasm suggesting a fair amount of familiarity with both the vehicle and the undulating sealed mountain road.

As positive as Benz intended the experience to be, it backfired because it highlighted the pedestrian performance of the four-cylinder X 250d. It’s not that the drivetrain is unenthusiastic or uncultured, but the twin-turbo four has to haul so much weight its performance never feels better than pedestrian.

Check the figures and you’ll see Benz claims a porky 2234kg kerb weight for the X 250d. That’s more than 200kg heavier than the Navara it’s based on. Even taking into account the X-Class weight estimate includes 75kg for driver and fluids, it’s still no lightweight.

Indeed, any way you add it up it’s a casual performer. The claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time is 11.8 sec, which says it all really.

Refined rider
But on the positive side, there is no doubting the X-Class is refined by pick-up standards.

At idling speeds around town in heavy traffic it is sedan-quiet and any diesel rattle is barely evident. At any engine speed it is certainly quieter than the Navara.

On the open road, making a quick overtake, revs rise to the 4300rpm redline without sounding or feeling ugly. It is clearly quieter than the Ford Ranger, although the Volkswagen Amarok V6 would be closer.

It’s important to note the top-of-the-range Power is quieter than the cheaper Progressive and Pure specifications. We were told conflicting stories by Benz experts. The Progressive and Pure variants don't have the same amount of sound-deadening material, we were informed, but we also heard the contrary. It certainly seems they don’t.

The unladen ride of the X-Class is also a highlight. The beefed-up and wider rear-end (the independent front is also widened) quells big hits quickly and in one motion. New-generation Tenneco shock absorbers are a key part of this package. The sacrifice is a terser ride at really low speeds on rough surfaces. Then it feels like the rear-end is barely being activated.

A couple of provisos here; our road drive was at slow speeds because of draconian 60-70km/h Chilean open road speed limits and we tested the X-Class with ‘Low Posture’ 202mm ground clearance European suspension that won’t be coming to Australia. We also never got the chance to test the X-Class with a load on board to find out how well the set-up then works.

We did, however, get to test the ‘High Posture’ 222mm ground clearance Aussie-spec right-hand drive X 250d on a rather benign off-road course that most clearly demonstrated the vehicle’s decent 30-degree approach angle and the effectiveness of its hill descent control system. We noted, however, that the low positioning of the autonomous braking radar sensor in the front bumper looked potentially vulnerable for serious off-road work.

There is also a noticeable ‘burring’ that feeds back through the steering wheel when 4x4 is engaged, along with some binding in tight corners and increased front-end push.

Back in 4x2, the light hydraulic-assist steering doesn’t marry well with the size and weight of the X-Class. It’s easy to simply put too much effort into cornering and have to re-adjust mid-turn. This is such a big and heavy vehicle and it all doesn’t quite mesh. A little bit more weight and connection would be appreciated.

Of course, light steering is a boon around town, but that’s countered by a giant 13.4m turning circle (1.0m more than the Navara) and the vehicle’s sheer size at 5340mm long and 1920mm wide.

Inside the X-Class
The X-Class’ steering wheel provides instant proof this is not your normal Benz. The column only adjusts for rake, just like the Navara donor vehicle. Also straight from the Nissan are the ignition key, the reversing mirror and the 4x4 controls. However, we couldn’t find a Nissan logo anywhere on the car, even in the engine bay.

Superficially, the cabin of the top-spec Power looks good. There’s an 8.4-inch infotainment screen atop the dashboard just like a C-Class. A group of aircon vents sprout out of the concave dashboard like mushrooms. The instrument pod is another C-class donation.

But the surfaces are uniformly hard to the touch, plastic, a bit Spartan and more underwhelming the lower in the cabin you go. The front seats are heavily bolstered in the backrest but pretty flat and short under-thigh. This is not Benz luxury car quality, although it's pretty good for a truck.

Elbow room front and rear is terrific for the class because of the width of the cabin. But rear legroom is quite tight and the theatre-style seating ensures passengers 180cm and taller will start to feel challenged for headroom. On the positive side, rear-seat passengers do get rear HVAC vents.

There are big storage bins in the doors front and rear, but its noticeably less utilitarian on the centre console where there’s little trinket storage and no room for over-size drink containers.

There’s no doubt the Power is the star when it comes to equipment, being the only version that gets the full-size Comand screen standard. But there’s no AppleCarPlay or Android Auto connection for at least 12 months.

More importantly, all X-Class boast a safety package that includes AEB and seven airbags. However, radar cruise control is unavailable (it’s standard in Ford Ranger Wildtrak).

The verdict
The X-Class, in X 250d form anyway, does not set a new benchmark for the dual-cab pick-up class, but it is good enough to instantly be classified among the top contenders.

Whether it’s worth the premium Benz will charge is another question. If the company doesn’t get too greedy and gets the pricing right, then there’s no doubt it will be a hit.

But if you fancy really strong performance and can afford what will undoubtedly be big bucks, then wait the few extra months for the V6.

Mercedes-Benz X 250d 4MATIC Power pricing and specifications:
Price: Somewhere around $60,000, probably
Engine: 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder
Outputs: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km
CO2: 207g/km
Safety rating: TBC