Mercedes-Benz X-Class 2018 Review

X marks the spot

The world’s oldest car-maker is understandably excited about the introduction of the new Mercedes-Benz X-Class dual-cab ute.

Excusing the G Professional range, the X 220d and X 250d are the first Mercedes-Benz models to enter a bustling market segment that in 2017 attracted almost 160,000 sales Down Under – or 17 per cent of the market overall.

Mercedes enters the ladder-frame, one-tonne ute segment with a competitor that draws heavily from the D23-series Nissan Navara, as part of a joint-venture with the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi alliance, and naturally it sees a lot of potential for profit.

Of course, Mercedes-Benz Vans isn’t Robinson Crusoe in offering a light commercial product with common underpinnings. Holden’s Colorado and the Isuzu D-MAX share framework, as do Ford’s Ranger and the Mazda BT-50 – which also share their engine and driveline components.

It is, however, the first to produce a bona-fide luxury ute and of course Mercedes-Benz emphasises the differences between the X-Class and the Navara, which are built in the same Spanish factory.

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The X factor

Even before its world debut, Mercedes-Benz Vans was vocal in stressing the engineering investment involved in creating the X-Class.

It says a larger body with new headlights and tail-lights, wider wheel tracks, new infotainment and safety equipment, and a restyled dashboard, centre console and seats give the X-Class a distinctly ‘Mercedes-Benz’ character.

Much of the three-variant Mercedes-Benz X-Class range is personalisable with a range of trim and paint options to suit a plethora of customer demands.

Mercedes-Benz Vans says recreational and family buyers are as important to the brand as traditional commercial users.

It has endeavoured to address the needs of both audiences via a range comprising two diesel engines, two transmissions (manual and automatic), two drivelines (rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive) and three unique trim grades – PURE, PROGRESSIVE and POWER.

A more powerful V6 (190kW/550Nm), the X 350d 4MATIC, will top the all-diesel line-up from later this year, priced from $78,990 (plus ORCs).

Mercedes-Benz Vans hinted that the paddle-shift equipped V6 flagship may arrive with ‘Low Posture’ suspension (-20mm to 202mm of ground clearance) and a performance-focussed attitude.

Its 190kW/550Nm engine will offer considerably more punch than the 2.3-litre single-turbo 120kW/403Nm X 220d and X 220d 4MATIC, and the twin-turbo 140kW/450Nm X 250d 4MATIC four-cylinder models launched this week.

While there are no plans for a petrol-powered or AMG-badged X-Class in Oz, Mercedes-Benz has hinted that single-cab and space-cab body-styles may also join the line-up if demand is strong enough.

With 9000 expressions of interest to date – 69 per cent of which Mercedes-Benz Vans says come from outside of the brand – we doubt demand will be a problem.

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Xs and 000s

The rear-wheel drive, manual-only X 220d heads the X-Class range with a $45,450 (plus ORCs) asking price, and provides 1067kg of payload from its largest-in-class tray (1581mm long, 1560mm wide), and a braked towing capacity of 3500kg (plus a 350kg tow ball down-weight).

In trade-focussed PURE trim it is fitted with 17-inch steel wheels and black-plastic bumpers, cloth trim, manual air-conditioning, cruise control and manually-adjustable seats. Parking sensors and all-wheel drive (4MATIC) are available optionally.

But the entry-level PURE also includes a 7.0-inch infotainment array with two speakers and Bluetooth connectivity and a reversing camera.

And, like all Mercedes-Benz X-Class variants, it is equipped with seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), tyre pressure monitoring and lane keeping assist.

The range steps up to the PROGRESSIVE trim grade in conjunction with a twin-turbocharged version of the same 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine.

Body-coloured bumpers and 17-inch alloy wheels differentiate the model outwardly, as an extensive equipment upgrade does inside.

Satellite-navigation, rain-sensing wipers, a carpeted floor, eight-speaker audio system and electrochromatic (self-dimming) rear-view mirror join the kit list, and the PROGRESSIVE grade also adds a leather-bound steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake covers, aluminium-look sills, and a black grained instrument panel.

Optionally, the X-Class PROGRESSIVE is available with a number of packages that add electric seat adjustment, dual-zone climate-control, man-made leather and suede-trimmed seats, LED headlights and tail-lights, an electric-opening rear window, 360-degree camera and 18-inch alloy wheels.

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X appeal

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class range is topped, for now, by the X 250d POWER grade that brings chrome bumpers and garnishes to the exterior, 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights and tail-lights as standard.

The top-shelf model also scores electrically-adjustable man-made leather and suede-trimmed seats, a leather-topped instrument binnacle, climate-control, keyless entry/start and 360-degree camera.

The strong equipment list is topped by Mercedes-Benz’s 8.4-inch COMAND on-line multimedia system with navigation and touchpad, plus the PARKTRONIC parking assistant and digital radio.

Heated seats and washers, 19-inch wheels, side running boards and roof rails are available optionally, as is a wide range of recreational and trade-focussed accessories.

All Mercedes-Benz X-Class variants are backed by a three-year warranty with roadside assist and 12-month/20,000km service intervals.

Up-front capped-price servicing is available for three years as part of Mercedes-Benz Van’s Service Care Promise, for $1850. Otherwise annual servicing is priced at $585, $930 and $835 respectively for the first three years.

A five-star ANCAP safety rating applies to all variants.

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X-ing the great divide

The X-Class’ unique double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, hydraulically-assisted steering and four-wheel disc brake tune gives the range a well tied-down feel on a wide variety of surfaces.

The variable-rate coil springs (now also on Navara), thicker anti-roll bars and quicker steering rack all play a role in refining the drive.

Testing the range on and off-road shows a level of ride maturity not always evident in tradition dual-cab utes – though we hasten to add that this isn’t an SUV and that anyone expecting it to ride like one may be disappointed.

It softens large inputs easily, but with nothing in the tray the ride is challenged by small corrugations and pockmarks, feeling decidedly firm and ‘jiggly’.

As expected, ride comfort improved with a 650kg load in the tray, better settling the vehicle over mid-corner bumps, but there was a slight ‘nose-up’ attitude that did impact steering performance.

Much like the remainder of the drive, however, engine performance is reasonably strong and refined, with only a hint of turbo lag evident from throttle tip-in.

Off-road, the Mercedes-Benz X-Class performed as well as its road-biased tyres would allow. Drizzly Tasmanian weather saw the tyres quickly fill with wet silt, inhibiting what felt like otherwise sorted performance.

One sticking point, however, is the larger turning circle that the X-Class’s wider wheel tracks imbue. It requires a metre more than the Navara with a turning circle of 13.4m, but is assisted by ultra-light steering.

Mercedes-Benz quotes a 600mm wading depth, 222mm ground clearance, 30-degree approach angle and 25-degree departure angle for the X-Class.

Also respectable (and familiar) is a gradeability angle of 45 degrees and side inclination of 50 degrees. Hill-descent control, low-range four-wheel drive and a rear diff lock are available.

Noise suppression is impressive, with all but the largest stone ‘pings’ going unheard from behind the wheel. The ergonomics are well sorted too, and front-row seat comfort is on par with the best in class.

A shame then oddment storage and cup-holders are lacking, and that the Mercedes-Benz X-Class omits a grab handle from the driver’s side A-pillar.

There’s also no adaptive cruise control available anywhere in the range and some switchgear and hard plastic surfaces spoke loudly of the vehicle’s origins.

Given Mercedes-Benz is aiming the X-Class at dual-purpose buyers, the tight back seat and shallow rear window may also deter some.

On the plus side though, the curtain airbags cover both the front and back row, while face-level ventilation outlets and ISOFIX child-seat anchors are included up back.

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X for success?

The X-Class certainly delivers on Mercedes-Benz’s promise of being a very good cross-purpose ute.

That said, we wouldn’t say it’s class-leading in every way, or that higher-spec variants are as well kitted-out as that other big-name German ute we could mention.

Of course it’s a case of swings and roundabouts, and where the three-pointed star shines brightest is in understanding and catering to its customers’ needs. On that front at least, it’s bound to be a hit.

But how well it truly relates to its rivals can only really be determined by a back-to-back comparison – and let me assure you, we’ll have the answer to that question very soon indeed.

How much is a 2018 Mercedes-Benz X 220d?
Price range: $45,450-$46,400 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 120kW/403Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 195g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2017)
0-100km/h: 12.5sec
Top speed: 172km/h
Payload: 1067kg
Towing: 3500kg (braked)
Weight: 2133kg (kerb)

How much is a 2018 Mercedes-Benz X 220d 4MATIC:
Price range: $50,400-$50,400 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 120kW/403Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 200g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2017)
0-100km/h: 12.9sec
Top speed: 170km/h
Payload: 1037kg
Towing: 3500kg (braked)
Weight: 2213kg (kerb)

How much is a 2018 Mercedes-Benz X 250d 4MATIC?
Price range: $51,450-$64,500 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 207g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2017)
0-100km/h: 11.8sec
Top speed: 175km/h
Payload: 1016kg
Towing: 3500kg (braked)
Weight: 2234kg (kerb)

Related reading:
>> Mercedes-Benz X-Class: local pricing
>> Mercedes-Benz X-Class: international launch review
>> Mercedes-Benz X-Class: world premiere