Hands-on with the new Mercedes X-Class!

Mercedes vans now have a pick-up, the Mercedes X-Class has joined the Mercedes vans range in line with the Citan, Vito and Sprinter vans. Today at Vansdirect we got to have a play with a couple!

Introduction to the Mercedes X-Class

Renowned for their premium car range and luxurious SUVs, the Mercedes X-Class carries through a huge range of equipment and features to sit comfortably between the brand's new car and LCV ranges. It's no secret that the new pick-up has been based on the Nissan Navara, with a number of modifications to make it stand out in its own right. There are three loaded trim levels available: Pure, Progressive and Power, at Vansdirect we got to play with a manual Progressive model (in Black) and an automatic TOP SPEC Power model (in White), the results were highly impressive.

Features of the Mercedes X-Class

Interior and inside the cab

Progressive

You'd be forgiven for thinking you were sitting in a top end saloon car when entering the pick-up, with the cabin taking a number of features from the Mercedes passenger car range. The Progressive model boasted black fabric upholstered, leather gear-shift lever and handbrake lever and lighting for the front footwell with exit lamps. Chrome also features heavily, with the air vents finished in chrome to compliment exterior chrome door handles, exuding the quality of the pick-up. The cabin also featured a 7.0 inch high definition infotainment system with nav, bluetooth and a reversing camera.

Power

The top spec Power model added an 8-way electrically adjustable driver's and co-driver's seat with lumbar support for additional comfort. Interior main trim consistent of pixel-look matt black whereas artificial leather with microfiber upholstery were also present in the power model. There was also a stowage net for the co-driver footwell for additional convenience.

Exterior

Progressive

The Mercedes X-Class stands out with the unmistakable three-pointed star associated with the highly prestigious brand. The Progressive model features aluminum door sills with Mercedes-Benz spelt out and painted bumpers with simulated under guard in matt black. Chrome door handles add the additional feel of quality, with LED load area lighting, 4 tie-down loops and a load securing rail system making loading and securing of cargo an easier task. The rear bumper also featured an integrated step to improve access to the load area.

Power

The Power model stood out even further, with a simulated under guard in chrome replacing the matt black effect on the Progressive model. Chrome also featured on the shoulder line trim and front fog lights. You'd never struggle to see the Power, with the pick-up equipped with LED high-performance headlights and LED tail-lights.

Driving the Mercedes X-Class

Both models of the Mercedes X-Class provided a smooth and refined drive, with the pick-up feeling like an upmarket SUV whilst on the road. On the manual model, the throttle and brake pedals were light and responsive, whilst handling on both models made it easy to counter the challenging local roads and also made bay parking easy, as did the standard reversing camera on both models. Semi-automatic air conditioning made the temperature just right in the Progressive model, this was substituted for the more advanced THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control system on the Power model. Whilst clearing the windscreen was easy with heat insulation with filter band on both models.

Just like the Nissan Navara, the Mercedes X-Class operates a selectable all-wheel drive system, which we used to control speed when travelling down a steep incline. Drive selection mode allowed us to select the best possible driving mode for the road ahead, with the double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension adding to the car-like driving experience. The 190PS engine present on the X250d automatic model was better for maximising the towing capacity of the X-Class, however the 163PS engine on the X225d manual model with by no means sluggish, offering 0-62 mph in just over 12 seconds!

The Mercedes X-Class certainly adds luxury to the pick-up segment, with a whole host of standard features regardless of which model you opt for. The new pick-up performs brilliantly, regardless of the challenges it faces.

New Mercedes X-Class on finance

Looking for a new luxury pick-up? Look no further than the Mercedes X-Class from Vansdirect, we have TOP SPEC Power Automatic models available from £429pm! We have a selection of cheap van finance options available on our new van selection, including van leasing, contract hire and hire purchase. Get your new vans direct from Vansdirect - Enquire online or call us on 0800 169 69 95 for a free quote, we also offer cars!