cyeung65

The R Class goes beyond the unibody "truck" concept. As others have said, it does not sit tall like a typical SUV and is not intended to. Freestyle and Highlander are clearly unibody design crossovers - but they are truck/SUV poseurs.

Speedriven1

The Mazda MPV had 4 conventional doors, also.

Speedriven1

The R doesn't sell because, as a minivan, it's not very useful. 6 seats (all Capt. chairs) and no way to "walk" from the front to the back, in case you need to comfort/feed/console an infant or toddler.

You know, the POINT of having a minivan.

Speedriven1

You could even argue that the Corolla-based Rav4 was the first of these, several years before the Highlander.

BallJack

Totally agree! In Westchester County, NY, the R class is like a dime a dozen. That's why I never thought that the R class sells poorly. It is one of the favorite soccer mom mobiles here - although the GL class has become popular too.

aggst1

I don't have the middle row console on mine and can walk toward the back while the car is in motion. I don't do this, simply because I find it unsafe - to have my wife move around while I am doing 80 mph as if we are in a bus. If a passenger wants to move to the back all they have to do is ask and I will pull over. When traveling long distances and my wife needs to feed our son I stop and she goes in the back seat next to my son, and my daughter goes to the very back row. Also, the fact that it has the "captains" chairs is a plus since they are even more comfortable than the front seats with more legroom.

And last, MB never said it is a minivan, simply because it is not. if someone buys it instead of an 8 seater minivan they better think it over!

bzliteyear

they still make the 4 door Odyssey in China - it's a JV between Honda and Chinese company - it looks like a slightly smaller R350.
PL

fstshrk

R class rocks. I was sceptical at first, but having had the car for 3 months, we love it.
It handles well for its size and bulk, the brakes work well and the (diesel) mileage is amazing.
Just came back from a 200m quick jaunt at 25.8 mpg. I am seriously considering getting an E350 CDI to match the R320. Too bad it I can't get a E350 Wagon in Diesel.

avlis

Wow! 200mph is a quick jaunt. I should have got a diesel!

cyeung65

Again, not the same league. The R class is not a crossover SUV. IMO, a crossover SUV is a car based platform truck. The R class though not a van, not a car, is certainly not a truck.

The Toyota Venza, BMW X6, Honda Crosstour -these are all in line with the R class concept.

RAV4, CR-V, Highlander, Escape/Tribute - there is no question these are SUV truck like with their high ride height and emphasis on a large cargo bay. The R - Class is not the same.

shobbs666

I'm glad to own something unique. Every parking lot, Stop light look around all you will see is ML's, GL's. Very rarely will I spot another R. Here's my plate # YRUNVS. I think that's the problem with the poor soul's that didn't purchase an R.

MBAUSTIN

This is my first MB and I love it. I think Honda odyssey 2011 copied little bit of R350's design but still that one looks ugly. lol.

Do you all agree?

lkchris

Do apples look nicer than oranges?

cyeung65

I see Lexus RXs

smokersteve

I really like the body, lights. BUT! The lower center scoop makes it look like a guppy fish or a tadpole. not good...

R. Reyes

I love my R class. It's a nice wagon when I need it. It's a nice SUV when I need it to be. It's a nicely appointed boss pleaser as well, so much that the boss invites me to lunch just to take my car.

It does all things wonderfully, and as such is indeed a Grand Sports Tourer/Crossover vehicle, just as MB designated it upon launch.

The haters can hate all they want. I love it, and if i had to replace it would have no problem getting another...just in a different color. And within 4 mi. of my home, I've counted 9 R's. I think it's selling just fine, and the others seem to love theirs as well.

llcd

I love my R class also. Because it has all bucket seats everyone has a view
of the center windshield which prevents some of my passengers from
getting dizzy when going on a 1,000 mile road trip.

Midwest MB Mama

I too love my R Class, it was accidental as we first brought home a GL on a test drive. When we were disappointed at some key omissions and brought the GL back (3rd row that can acommodate an adult w/o their knees in their chest), we saw an R down the aisle and started to think about it. Now there are the Buick Enclave and its Chevy/GMC cousins that are really essentially the same style of car. We did get it used, and since it was an 07 it was very affordable but with 15,000 miles it's still like a new car.

jlbunting

I call it a bast3rdized wagon, minivan, SUV thing. It does everything better than any one of the three.

anjy834u

R class is literally a crossover..somewhere between a van and a wagon.. some might even end up calling it an SUV.

shobbs666

I think you maybe on the wrong Class in this forum. This is designed for people that actually own an R-Class. You should comment on in the GL or E Class forum.

coladin

I can't see myself in anything other than an R class. I have three kids under 10 and one is a hockey player, great for storage and has a much lower center of gravity than a minivan. You are not going to autocross is, obviously, but it is well slotted between a conventional wagon, which does not have a lot of space, and a minivan which has tonnes of space but high center of gravity which is not conducive to quick actions/reactions.

Coming from an 07 XC90 which I thought was the greatest family vehicle, our 09 R320 Bluetec is the best for a large family without the tippiness and motion sickness you get in an SUV not to mention the 22mpg average in 100% city driving. Everywhere I go, people are very favourable to it especially with the AMG package and 19s...my bro has an ML and is convinced of getting the R.

Can't wait for my lease to run out and get the new one!

People who don't have one will never understand...

aggst1

I think this is the best comment I ve read in this thread. I totally agree. It is the kind of car that must be driven for a while in real life situations to be totally appreciated.

cyeung65

Lately I have seen more and more R Classes within the 10 sq miles of my home. BUT - most of them are 06-07 models (non-AMG bumpers). Now production numbers were much higher in those years. I believe 08-10 combined sales do not match 06 alone. So what gives? Where were these Rs hiding the past couple of years?

MatthewR350

I dont know what it is. It's not a van because my wife was insistent she wouldn't drive another one...its not an SUV, because she thinks they are ugly and not environmentally friendly...its whatever she wants it to be. In my opinion its one of the most pleasant long trip vehicles our family has driven...7 hours, 3 kids and no complaints! This summer we took it to Cape Bretton and I let it loose on the Cabot Trail...woohooo! It sure didn't drive like any other SUV, Minivan or wagon that I had ever driven. Its unique...its an R.