Mercedes-Benz X-Class review

Merc’s first attempt at a proper lifestyle pick-up. Now, Mercedes has had a couple of attempts at building pick ups before, but they’ve been less, well, mass market than the X-Class: the £370,000 AMG G63 6x6 and the Unimog.

This is something new – a global attempt to go after the likes of the Toyota Hilux, VW Amarok and Nissan Navara. Now, developing a new car from scratch is a vastly expensive business, so if there’s a way to reduce those costs, it’s worth considering. So if you scratch the surface of the X-Class you’ll find a lot of it is actually the aforementioned Nissan Navara. Same 2.3-litre Renault-developed turbo diesel, same ladder frame chassis, same switchable 4wd system with low range and so on.

On the surface Mercedes has done a good job of disguising this fact. Until you get to the far end of the double cab, the X-Class looks unique, well aligned with the rest of Merc’s commercial and passenger car range. It’s only the shape of the rear lights and that kick-up in the rear passenger window line that look Nissan-ish.

It’s on sale now with a choice of two engines (the same 2.3-litre with either 161 or 187bhp), two gearboxes (six speed manual or seven-speed auto) and three trim levels (Pure, Progressive and Power).

Let’s accept the fact that in the real world no-one knows or cares it’s based on a Nissan. It looks different enough and wears the three-pointed star proudly enough to convince most buyers it’s a genuine Merc. Especially once the X350d arrives later this year complete with the 255bhp 3.0-litre Mercedes diesel.

But as an everyday family vehicle don’t let the Mercedes badge fool you. If someone comes to the X-Class from an MLE they’re going to smell a rat. They will wonder why it’s noisier and lumpier to drive, why the switchgear seems more haphazardly sited, why Mercedes hasn’t lavished more care and attention on it.

So it depends on your standpoint to how you see this. Like and need a pick-up? Then this adds a veneer of comfort, image and equipment. Coming from an SUV? You might be saving money, but be warned about the compromises you’ll need to make. What we have is a pick up done better, but not one that revolutionizes either the brand or the breed.