IN THIS FEATURE A real multi-tasker? 4x4 for the road Not the cheap option

Ask Mercedes-Benz marketing men what the new R-Class will compete against and the slightly disingenuous response is "nothing, we're the only ones in this niche." Mercedes says that it has fused the best design elements of an MPV, SUV, sporty saloon and estate car into one new vehicle. Which is a statement guaranteed to send the bull-o-meter off the scale. Except, and this is the extraordinary thing about the R-Class, they might actually be telling it like it is.

Let's look at the MPV strand of the argument. The R-Class will seat six people in quite considerable comfort, in three rows of captain's style chairs. Mercedes wanted to make the point that the R-Class is a luxury crossover, not a van, and so it resisted any temptation to stick a third seat in the middle row. Consequently, all occupants have plenty of shoulder and elbow room, albeit the third row offers slightly narrower accommodation. And because the R-Class is actually a bit longer than the current long-wheelbase S-Class, legroom is outstanding in all three rows. On the launch, three large 6'2" blokes sat behind each other with legroom to spare - the middle row of seats have generous travel fore and aft. Also, the middle row seats tilt forward and up to make access to the rear row easier. Which works very nicely indeed.

R-Class is a 4x4, though it's meant as an on-road tool

Outward vision for all onboard is excellent, and if owners specify the huge, panoramic glass roof, the R-Class's cabin is an airy and light place to spend time. And there's real versatility here, too, as both the middle and rear row of seats can be folded flat to create a huge load area, although they can't be removed entirely. Compared to something like an Espace, the load area isn't hugely deep from floor to roof, and compared to something like the Grand Espace, there's precious little room in the boot for luggage if you're travelling six-up. But compare it to anything that isn't an MPV and the load/people space on offer is terrific. So the MPV argument isn't at all spurious.