Category: Large MPV 
Price Range: £36,970 to £53,630
Refined engine, imposing, badge, spacious cabin, huge boot.
Looks, lack of air suspension, no seven-seat option, pricey.
A classy, if expensive way of transporting people. It's blunted by the absence of extra rear seats.
Mercedes has boosted specification across the range. Now 18-inch alloys are standard as well as front and rear parking sensors and the previously optional AMG styling kit.
Unfortunately, start ticking those option boxes and the price begins to rocket. Essential leather upholstery adds £1,780, metallic paint £620. Go completely crazy and it's possible to inflate the base price by an astonishing £20,000.
Comfort-wise there are some important sacrifices to take into consideration with the R280CDi.
First off, the base car ditches the air suspension that helps the more expensive models deal with rough and scarred road surfaces. The R280 isn't bad, it just thumps over the odd bump and generally jiggles more than the air-suspended models.
The other sacrifice is the new seat arrangement. The third middle seat is a bit of a squeeze and more suitable for children than adults - disappointing considering the sheer width and size of the R-class.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Mercedes R-Class
wrote on 01 05 2007