Topic: CD Article: 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

[Autos_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
First Drive:

Mercedes-Benz' new luxury 'crossover' vehicle, the 2006 R-Class has a roomy 6-passenger interior, surprisingly quick performance, and the all-weather capability of standard all-wheel-drive, reports Editor, Greg Wilson. The question is, will Mercedes buyers warm up to a crossover vehicle? "Luxury owners don't want to be seen driving a vehicle that needs an explanation," says Wilson.    More...

[si]

Good review.  Dare I give the R class the title of best family car?  It is many things to many people.  Forget wagons and minivans; this is the kind of car we wish our parents had when we were kids.  It's design seems similar to the pacifica in that rear passengers get treated well.  I am quite a fan of 2nd row captain chairs as opposed to a bench seat. 

This is the coolest non-cool car I've seen yet.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

It's looks are growing on me. I'm not a fan of Pacifica at all - kind of useless compared to a minivan if you're askin' me and I'd rather the more airy Freestyle myself, but the R-Class seems to be more noteworthy in it's appointments, style, the way it drives, rides, handles, goes, and the space and even value. $60Gs for something as long as an S-Class EWB is not bad from da Benz.

No doubt families with fundage need larger vehicles. In many ways this is larger than all but the biggest SUVs (Suburbans), so it'll be interesting.

I wonder if they'll market the Vision products, B and R, side by side like at the auto shows? They share resemblance to each other, but the buyers and pricing are quite different.

[Bullet Blue]

It's looks are growing on me. I'm not a fan of Pacifica at all - kind of useless compared to a minivan if you're askin' me and I'd rather the more airy Freestyle myself, but the R-Class seems to be more noteworthy in it's appointments, style, the way it drives, rides, handles, goes, and the space and even value. $60Gs for something as long as an S-Class EWB is not bad from da Benz.

I agree SAM. Benz lists the SRX as it's main competitor. I think there should be others added to the list. But one thing I found odd was, since when does Benz build something to compete with a domestic brand? I thought most of their main competition came from BMW, Audi, Lexus etc. At least that's what I thought THEIR point of view was. Guess Caddy is coming up with some ideas that are producing more sales. Catching the Attnetion of the Euros while they're at it.

[footlong58]

It's looks are growing on me. I'm not a fan of Pacifica at all - kind of useless compared to a minivan if you're askin' me and I'd rather the more airy Freestyle myself, but the R-Class seems to be more noteworthy in it's appointments, style, the way it drives, rides, handles, goes, and the space and even value. $60Gs for something as long as an S-Class EWB is not bad from da Benz.

I agree SAM. Benz lists the SRX as it's main competitor. I think there should be others added to the list. But one thing I found odd was, since when does Benz build something to compete with a domestic brand? I thought most of their main competition came from BMW, Audi, Lexus etc. At least that's what I thought THEIR point of view was. Guess Caddy is coming up with some ideas that are producing more sales. Catching the Attnetion of the Euros while they're at it.

BMW, Audi, and Lexus really have nothing that the R would compete with...

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I don't think the SRX was the target at all for designers, even if listed as that in a media kit.

In fact, I don't even think of the SRX as a crossover. I think of it as a sporty SUV. And while I'm always rather shocked at how low it is when parked next to a traditional SUV, I still don't think of it as a crossover like Pacifica or Freestyle.

I think Benz is simply trying to expand their offerings to cover their clientele with families. I figure a great deal of them would have an E-Class and a Yukon Denali or Navigator in their US driveway. They don't want a 'minivan', but they want something to offer which has more space and is still stylish. No small task. Last I heard BMW is in development with something similar.

[a4_tom]

Like it or not, ppl already placed orders for R-Class from what I heard.

[skypoint]

I agree SAM. Benz lists the SRX as it's main competitor. I think there should be others added to the list. But one thing I found odd was, since when does Benz build something to compete with a domestic brand? I thought most of their main competition came from BMW, Audi, Lexus etc. At least that's what I thought THEIR point of view was. Guess Caddy is coming up with some ideas that are producing more sales. Catching the Attnetion of the Euros while they're at it.

Mercedes are to be commended. They are not reacting to what their competitors do - they are innovating instead and defying conventional wisdom.

Renault tried this with the Scenic and hit the big money ... who would have thought the European market was desperate for a small Minivan that seated 5 people like a saloon? ... the mini-minivan. Now that category is huge, and Mazda's entry, the 6-seat Mazda 5, is now threatening North America.