Long-Term Test: Mercedes R-Class

A choice of Sport and Comfort modes to the air suspension works so well I'm almost inclined to revise my view that, in the undercarriage department, there's no substitute for cold steel. In truth, there's insufficient dynamic pay-off in dialling up Sport mode and, left to generate maximum straight-line cosseting in allegiance with the supple sidewalls of sensible 235/65 rubber, the Comfort setting still proves admirably tenacious and controlled when hustling the R-Class through twistier passages. Something the size of a pocket battleship is never exactly going to qualify as 'nimble', but the steering is accurate, informative and properly weighted to reflect the size of the beast and, on sweeping A roads the R-Class can be hustled along at a rate that would leave conventional SUVs tumbling into the shrubbery in its wake.

This specimen has been fitted with the stout £5,460 worth of extras needed to muster the specification level appropriate to a big Mercedes, including something entirely daunting resembling a shuttle from the Starship Enterprise lurking in the centre console which, I gather, will afford me hands free use of my useless mobile phone. In the absence of teenage children, I'm entirely unsure as to whether I possess the ability to get this system up and running, but next time I have an entire weekend free and bottle of Famous Grouse to hand, I'll report back.

Happily, however, the best bits are still standard fit; in this case - and making a long-overdue first appearance in any car I've ever driven - a proper, hardwired iPod connection lurking in the glovebox, linked to steering wheel mounted controls.

Let's face it, a drive home after work without having to listen to that irritating twit Chris Evans banging on about himself, football, money and himself on Radio 2 just has to be worth £42,970 of anyone's money.

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