Entered CNET Catalog: 07/26/2005
SKU: 100503225
Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz
Product summary
The good: The 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350 combines the best features of a luxury sedan, an SUV, and a minivan to give its occupants an incredible amount of comfortable space. MP3-CD capability and a standard MP3/iPod jack in the glove box will please contemporary music lovers, while the optional panoramic sunroof gives passengers a clear view above.
The bad: The 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350's V-6 is worked hard by the vehicle's size, and there is little cargo room with the car in six-place configuration. As with all Mercedes-Benzes, cell phone connectivity is limited to the manufacturer's own package.
The bottom line: Mercedes-Benz is exploring new ground with the R-Class Grand Sports Tourer. With 4,800 pounds of heft, sport doesn't really apply to the 2006 R350, but with excellent passenger space and comfort, it's great for touring in grand style.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 05/22/2006
Describing the Mercedes-Benz R-Class brings to mind the old fable of the blind men and the elephant. Like the elephant, the R350 is similar in detail to a number of other things; taken as a whole, however, it is very different from anything else on the road. The design of the R350 suggests that the German side of the DaimlerChrysler tag team seems to be learning new tricks from its American partner by creating new vehicular niches to keep ahead of its competition.
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class combines the comforts of a luxury sedan with most of the space and versatility of a minivan or an SUV. While not as tall as the last two, it boasts more height than a sedan for excellent headroom. Legroom is also first class, and there is true space for six full-size adults in three two-seat rows. If the R350 is closest in concept to a tall luxury wagon, it doesn't fit the profile of a wagon or any other existing automotive genre.
So what is the R-Class? Mercedes-Benz calls it a Grand Sports Tourer. If that sounds more than vaguely like Chrysler's Pacifica Sports Tourer, the two vehicles share no parts, and the R-Class is, well, more grand in design, social standing, specification, and price.
In the United States, two models of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class are available: the R350, powered by a 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower V-6, and the R500, with a 5.0-liter, 302-horsepower V-8. Both have permanent all-wheel drive, the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, and the full array of Mercedes-Benz safety features. Interior tech features are led by an eight-speaker AM/FM /single-CD audio system with both MP3-CD capability and an input jack for an auxiliary audio player as standard. Options include the TeleAid telematics system, a GPS navigation system, a glove-box-mounted CD changer, Sirius Satellite Radio, and the Mercedes-Benz telephone system.
Our 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350 test vehicle came with most of the key comfort options but few of the available entertainment packages. To the $48,000 base price and the $775 destination charge, add $690 for Obsidian Black paint; $900 for 10-spoke 18-inch wheels; $530 for the wood-and-leather multifunction steering wheel; $1,750 for the leather and burled-wood interior-trim upgrade; $50 for a rear cargo cover; $1,190 for heated front- and second-row seats; and $1,400 for the Airmatic air-suspension system. The $2,390 Panorama Roof package could be considered comfort or entertainment, while the $1,190 Harman Kardon Logic 7 audio system provides great sound. The $58,865 bottom line is not cheap for a Mercedes but will be hard to beat on a square-feet-per-dollar basis. Even the S-Class seems small inside in comparison.
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350's sleek and different looks draw attention. "What is it?" is the most common onlooker comment. While the car's Mercedes-Benz heritage is obviously defined by the tristar, the low Mercedes sport grille, and lines that show similarity to several of the manufacturer's other current products, defining exactly what it is can be tricky. The R350's two-box shape is only superficially like a minivan's, proving lower and smaller on closer inspection, as well as lacking sliding doors. It is larger, with a more blended-in shape than that of an E-Class wagon, and it's definitely not an SUV.
Our advice is not to try to categorize the R350. If you need space in a luxury vehicle, look here. All three seating rows are simultaneously usable by six-foot-tall adults. The power-adjustable first row is similar in design and dimension to that of the ML SUV--no complaints for space and comfort there--but the second-row seats are the best in the house. Although manually adjustable, they can be modified for fore-and-aft position and seat-back angle, and they give the chauffeured passenger the feeling of traveling in an executive jet.
Third rows are all too often temporary lodging for small children--but not in the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350. There is more than adequate room for heads, legs, and hips for adults, and access is good, thanks to the spring-based mechanical-repositioning system used to easily move the second-row seats forward and automatically back. The car's third-row seat backs are individually adjustable, and each can fold flat. The same can be done with second-row seats for maximum cargo/passenger versatility, although the R-Class is more likely to be used for passengers than cargo. Everyone gets cup holders and storage space.
The only shortcoming with the R-Class interior is that luggage space behind the third row is limited. This will not be a problem for three couples out for the evening, but it can be an issue for six people on a week's vacation. Mercedes does offer help for this cargo-space deficit with a variety of roof racks and optional storage containers. In four-passenger configuration, no mere sedan will come close to the R-Class's combination of passenger and cargo space.
The Panorama sunroof--at $2,390--is not cheap, but it does add serious upward vision for second- and third-row passengers. Made from smoked glass for UV protection, it runs nearly the whole length of the roof, and the front section can tilt or slide open. Unfortunately, because of the raked windshield, the front of the Panorama roof is too far back for front-passenger enjoyment. Power rear quarter windows are included with the sunroof for decent passive ventilation.
The $1,750 interior-trim package in our test vehicle upgraded the interior to R-500 specs with full leather seating (instead of M-B Tex synthetic for the rear rows), burled-wood trim, and improved interior lighting. It gave a fine executive-boardroom ambiance.
The $530 wood-and-leather multifunction steering wheel provided an upscale driver interface, with auxiliary controls for audio, information, and phone (if installed) systems. All main windows are power operated, as is the sunroof, and holding the SmartKey button can open them automatically on sunny days.
Control of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350's audio system and optional navigation and phone systems is done through the latest version of the Mercedes Cockpit Management and Data (COMAND) interface. The climate system--dual-zone standard or optional triple zone (you can add separate rear controls)--is easily operated through its own set of self-explanatory controls. An interesting feature of the climate system is tunnel-closing mode, which automatically activates air recirculation.
COMAND as implemented in the R350 is straightforward, with marked hard buttons for all systems to the left of the LCD and a numeric keypad for phone- and audio-system use on the right. A small joystick is used to move the cursor over onscreen soft buttons and to make choices from menus. Screen visibility is good, as it is positioned away from direct glare.
Without the optional navigation system, the COMAND system in our test vehicle controlled only the audio and information systems, and detailed study of the manual was not necessary for operation. The optional $1,190 Harmon Kardon Logic 7 audio system provided great quality sound with solid separation. Its six-CD changer is in the glove box, where the front passenger can easily reach it. Besides commercial and home-burned audio CDs, it plays MP3 CDs, displaying track, title, and folder information on the screen. Also hiding in the glove box is a minijack for an auxiliary music player, which will activate the same screen display. Sirius Satellite Radio is available, although it wasn't included in our test car.
Without the optional nav system, the LCD shows a virtual compass, which picks up direction slowly and none too accurately.
The standard dual-zone, automatic climate-control system works well, heating and cooling the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350's cavernous interior relatively quickly. Control is thankfully not done through the COMAND system but by simple standard knobs.
As with other Mercedes-Benzes, cell phone connectivity is limited to the Mercedes unit.
Besides the navigation system and Sirius radio, the wide variety of factory and dealer-installed options available for--but not fitted to our example of--the R350 includes Parktronic; a power tailgate; rear side air bags; a rear-seat entertainment system with LCDs integrated into the back of the front headrests; bixenon headlights with curve and corner illumination; and an iPod docking system that includes steering-wheel-mounted controls and a visual display.
With a 4,841-pound curb weight, true sport driving is not in the 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350's repertoire. Although the 3.5-liter V-6 is helped by the seven gear ratios of the 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, as well as the optional Airmatic air suspension with adaptive damping, two and a half tons does not make for sports-car-quick reflexes.
Still, the R350 works well for its true intended purpose: touring at a quick pace. Here, both its drivetrain and suspension perform favorably, with nice acceleration, a comfortable ride, and very decent handling for a vehicle of its size.
Power comes from Mercedes-Benz's newest 3.5-liter V-6, which has four valves per cylinder, as well as dual overhead camshaft heads instead of the previous three-valve, single overhead cam heads. The twin-cam design allows the phasing of each camshaft to be individually controlled for improved efficiency and power, along with lower emissions and fuel consumption. Electropneumatically driven, electronically controlled tumble flaps in each intake duct improve airflow and also help decrease fuel consumption and emissions. A balance shaft ensures the smooth operation expected from a luxury-vehicle engine.
The engine's maximum 268 horsepower (at 6,000rpm) and 258 pound-feet of torque (between 2,400rpm and 5,000rpm) are enhanced by the seven-speed automatic. The 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350 did well on both, with quick full-throttle acceleration (according to the manufacturer, a 0-to-60mph time of 8.1 seconds) and an observed fuel economy of just less than 20mpg in mostly highway and high-speed secondary road driving. EPA-mileage figures are 16mpg in the city and 21mpg on the highway.
Like the ML-Class SUV, all R-Class models have the 7G-Tronic automatic transmission with the Direct Select column-mounted shifter for basic forward/reverse/park control, as well as rocker switches on the back of the steering-wheel spokes for manual shifting. This design frees up the console for extralarge cup holders--this is a vehicle made in the Alabama plant, mostly for the American market--and shifting gears with the rocker switches becomes second nature to operate after a little familiarization.
Nevertheless, due to the wide torque band and the transmission-control computer's ability to adapt shifting style to the driver's needs, shifting manually isn't vital. And the R350's character doesn't demand rough manual treatment, as it's more about relaxed cruising in comfort rather than frenetic speed.
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350's suspension design is conventional and all independent, with double wishbones in front and a four-link system in the rear. The optional Airmatic suspension replaces the front coil springs and the rear air springs with pneumatic spring struts and active-shock damping from the active damping system (ADS). There are two driver-selectable ranges, Comfort and Sport, the latter of which interestingly is the default mode.
We initially found that the R350 felt like a large, softly sprung luxury car. That was fine on the freeway and around town, but we were not looking forward to the back-road portion of the test. The Airmatic/ADS-equipped R-Class did better than anticipated. The harder it was pushed, the firmer the suspension became, although never at the expense of comfort.
Another feature of the Airmatic system is adjustable ride height. This feature automatically lowers the R350 at speeds of more than 70mph to decrease wind resistance and improve stability, and the car can be raised about an inch at low speeds for better clearance. The R350's aerodynamic design results in low levels of wind noise at all speeds.
Full-time all-wheel drive, with a 50/50 static front/rear torque split, is standard, and the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz 4ETS traction-control system further improves traction by activating the brake on any wheel or when wheels lose traction, as determined by the ABS wheel sensors. In keeping with the R-Class's luxury-transportation mission, traction control is all-weather rather than performance based, and we noticed no lack of traction on wet roads.
If it's a safety item or technology in a modern car, odds are it was invented by--or for--Mercedes-Benz. The R350 has the full complement of Mercedes active and passive safety features.
The R350's unibody structure was designed and built to protect all occupants in the event of a crash. Repair costs for minor front or rear collisions can be reduced because of use of crash boxes, which are bolted rather than welded in place. Further protection comes from front and rear crumple zones and a strong safety cage around the passenger cabin. All seating positions have three-point safety belts, and dual-stage front, front side, and full-length window air bags are standard.
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350's brakes are four-wheel antilock discs, with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. An ESP electronic-stability system, which helps control excessive oversteer or understeer, is standard.
Two optional systems not on our test car are noteworthy. Neck-Pro front head restraints can protect the driver and the front passenger in a rear-end collision by automatically moving the headrests forward and upward to better support the head and reduce the chance of whiplash. The Pre-Safe system links sensors from the ESP and brake-assist systems to detect a possible impending accident, then tightens the driver- and front-passenger seat belts in preparation. If the front-passenger seat has memory, the seat will be moved to a safer position and automatically returned if the crash doesn't occur. If the car is fitted with a sunroof, the roof will be closed if there is the chance of a rollover.
The Mercedes new-vehicle warranty for materials and workmanship lasts 48 months/50,000 miles and can be extended at extra cost. The extended warranty is transferable to the next owner if the car is sold before the end of the warranty period. The first scheduled maintenance is free of charge.
As of this writing, the Mercedes-Benz R-Class has not been rated for crash safety by the federal government.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8out of 8 user reviews
R350 Comfortable, AWD, Outstanding Build Quality
Pros: Interior is built to last for the entire life of the car.
All wheel drive is an expensive option on the minivans, 4 matic (a superior system) is standard here.
5000 pounds moves from 0-60mph in 8 seconds.
Makes you look forward to driving.
Cons: Less interior volume than a minivan.
Scheduled maintenance is more expensive than domestic vehicles.
The light colored dash top produces some reflection in the windshield under certain lighting conditions.
Rear visibility could be better.
of shoping bags. I lke the pano roof, but I could have easily done without this $2500 option. The GPS works very well. The data entry interface is a little clunky, but once you are programmed, routing, warning for turns and exits and general guidance is excellent. I have owned at least 6 different stand alone GPS units, and I can now say that having the GPS integrated into the car is very nice. The radio volume goes down for voice instructions, and even without the GPS signal in tunnels and amongst tall buildings, the car knows where it is because of the tie in to the drive train. There are enough features to keep any techno freak happy for years, but they are so well executed, if you don't know or don't care about them, you will still be able to operate the car comfortably and safely. The first time it drizzled out, my wife called me in excitement about the way the windshield wipers automatically came on then stopped when the windshield was dry. We have owned BMW and Audi vehicles, but I must say that though I thought I would never diverge from Audi, this is probably the most well executed vehicle I have ever owned. Truly under rated and a bit of a sleeper in the Mercedes line up. And oh, if it matters, you will be driving a bit of a rarity, according to wiki, only 45,000 of these vehicles had been sold in the US through Decmeber 2008.
In summary, after owning 4 Chrysler branded Grand Voyagers and Grand Caravans, we just got tired of the A/C failing in every car after about 4 years and all the brake changes and and falling apart/wearing out interior and body rust. If you love having the convenience of a minivan, you can afford to give up about 50 cubic feet of cargo space and you want an actual quality vehicle, look at the R-Class. You will regret not making the change over earlier. (Oh- and we are getting over 23mpg at 75mph on the freeway)
out of 8 user reviews
WOW....No...Really...WOWY
Pros: 7 speed gearbox
Cons: Navigation system sucks
out of 8 user reviews
R350 is under marketed
Pros: Roomy for Passengers, Comfortable & Fun to drive
Cons: Lack of storage with third row in use.
out of 8 user reviews
Looks can be deceiving
Pros: Ride, accessability, luxury, gadgets
Cons: Lack of standard options
We have 6 year old twins and they love the car. The dual screen rear entertainment system is great and keeps the kids quiet even after extended drives. We give them the remote control and let them play. Storage is ample and with 3rd row folded down the interior is as big as most SUV's.
The power rear lift gate works well from both the door and the key FOB. The navigation system is great. Not the most intuitive but not too difficult to learn. The user definable settings I.E. the daytime running lights, the opening height of the rear hatch etc are a great feature.....no need to go back to the dealer.
My biggest gripe is that the bluetooth module is a $375.00 extra. Come on MB...BMW includes this with the car. For $58 grand bluetooth should be included.
All in all a great car with a great ride. If you want to put someone to sleep take them out for a ride and make them sit in the second row. Ultra comfortable and ultra quite. I would definitely recommend this car for anyone looking for a comfortable family car with alot of space and great amenities.
out of 8 user reviews
English Herse
Pros: Big, rooming with "some" Mercedes style
Cons: Only if your an undertaker or deliver bodies to Michigan farms.
out of 8 user reviews
Gray market pricing! Best deal when on business for store front imports.
Pros: V-6 seems (129 Chassis) 500 v-8 (USA) w/air conditioning performance.
Cons: maybe not! (Questionable- dual thermastat design)
out of 8 user reviews
Finally a luxury vehicle for the family
Pros: Spacious, prestige of the Star, well built
Cons: GPS, too many options
A few minor negatives: M-B's GPS is a total waste of money, takes too long to input anything, and map is 2 dimensional very primitive. She has a tom-tom 300, and it's light years ahead of the M-B's. For the money ($65k), her car doesn't come with a power tailgate ($600 option), hard to believe. Honda Odyssey Touring offers this at about 1/2 of the price.
If M-B can make more items standard (comfort pkg, trim pkg, parktronic, power tailgate), and still keep the starting price just under $50k, then it will have a sure-fire winner on its hands.
We are extremely happy with the R-class, despite some minor gripes. If you are looking at minivans, but don't find them prestigeous, then this is the vehicle for you.
out of 8 user reviews
If you need to drive a 'hauler', this is the cat's meow!
Pros: Space, fun to drive, luxurious, field of view, passenger comfort
Cons: While it is not perfect, I would not consider 'cons' to be the right word
ie, I wish the front seats gave you the choice to move back another inch or so, if I wanted/needed to.
I wish there was Bluetooth - instead of having to pay the gross amount I will need to pay if I added it once MB comes out with their kit.
I wish there were more standard options...
I wish it had the cool dashboard display of the E Class
I wish the profile could look a little more agressive/sexy/whatever... but right now it makes me cringe whenever I look at it.
Having started with the negatives, let me tell you this car is absolutely SATISFYING!
The ride height is a pleasure. The composure is reassuring. The brakes are great. The R350 is fine... just enough... yes, there are occasional long hills that make you floor it to get up quicker, but so what!? The 500 cost so much more that you would be paying 7000 more to take an occassional hill faster.
Passengers love it. They will fall asleep on you very quickly if the ride is long.
I did not get the DVD, but may opt for the single dvd option.... have to figure something out....
I am sure there will be plenty of aftermarket custom designs for this car. Will be fun to see.
Kids/young people love this car as well. Of course, they head straight for the very back seat.
My thoughts are scattered here.. but the bottom line is, this is a fun car to drive that you won't regret. The only decision is the options... and of course the V6 or V8. Save the money and get the V6.
