2011 Mercedes R-Class: still fails to impress

The old R-Class was only saved by the unexpected sales in China, and the new model has had a few tweaks but it still fails to impress.

Where to now for the R-Class, the Mercedes-Benz that defined all that was wrong with the era of profligate car making?

For sure, the R-Class doesn’t know and neither, it seems, has Benz finally made up its mind about what it is and what it isn’t.


When it landed, the much-hyped brainchild of the now-head of Benz design, Gordon Wagener, it was the crossover of all crossovers; a car to fill white space in Benz’s line-up.

But it didn’t work. In fact, in spite of some historical revisionists in Benz’s marketing department, it was a disaster, saved by just two things.

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Willis - 10/26/2010 6:57:38 PM

+7 Boost

I'm wondering how this reviewer wants to be impressed exactly?

A friend of mine has a first-generation R class (not sure what model, not a diesel) and he loves it. He's married, has three kids and two large dogs and he claims this is the PERFECT car for him. It's safe, refined, well-built and comfortable as well as spacious. What's not impressive about that?

I think some of these automotive journalists are seriously expecting to much if they've just driven a Nissan GT-R and then switch to an R class for their next drive to report on...

ThierryHenry14 - 10/27/2010 2:25:07 PM

+4 Boost

agreed... couldnt have said it any better....

xmen - 11/2/2010 10:28:15 AM

+1 Boost

the 2011 r-class is a darling willis you are right. the reviewer should not try to compare the r-class with the other Merc model like s-class , e-class because the fact is, they are all mercs but are cars of different categories. so if hear of a merc do not always expect it to be like the legendary s-class