2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Consumer Reviews

Outstanding New MB

Written by: Marcia Miller on 06/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R320 CDI 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Review

This car drives and rides like a car but has large seating (7) capacity and good storage availibility for whatever. It's handling is exceptional considering its size. This is one outstanding vehicle. My R is a CDI which gives me lots of power and good mileage for a 5000+ lb. car.

Favorite Features

Handling, ride and power.

Suggested Improvements

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Supremely Practical--with compromises

Written by: NYC Driver Fam of 5 on 05/04/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 4dr Wagon AWD (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

Bought this car after an exhaustive research process into every car with 3 row. Did not want giant SUV (Suburban, Esalade) and biggest new Lexus did not have comfy back row. R-Class is extremely comfy in all rows. Middle row even shifts forward allowing additional room in the rear, if desired. Car runs very smoothly as one would expect from a MB. Middle row appears to have as much leg room as an S-Class and more head room. We opted for the center seat, which is good for child, but not full width. Cargo space with all seats in place is okay, but not great. Rear seats manually fold flat like a minivans. MB did away with the 5.0 litre engine. 3.5 is sluggish and a disappointment.

Favorite Features

Love the panoramic roof giving the middle and back rows a glass ceiling. Unbelievably comfy and spacious seats in all rows. Auto open/close gate is nice. Backup camera (should be standard) is good as well. Park-assist beeps when close to cars in front/back and very useful.

Suggested Improvements

3.5 litre engine is inadequate. Must've been a cost compromise, but this very large car need more power. Command (nav., radio, etc.) is small screen, not touch screen, not intuitive. Poorly designed even compared to our prev. 5-year old Lexus system. MB should be embarrassed.

11 out 12 people found this review helpful

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Got what I was looking for

Written by: NSIM on 04/11/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 4dr Wagon (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

We were looking for a vehicle which could accommodate a 6 member family. Test drove most of the vehicles and finally ended up on the best one. We just love the class and comfort of Mercedes. Though I am bit skeptical about the Merc's notorious reliability, everything is fine so far. It's absolutely quiet inside and got decent accelaration for such a heavy vehicle. Overall I give it a 95% score

Favorite Features

Spacious interior for comfortably seating 6 people, interior design, back up camera, park assist, bluetooth, memory seat and auto folding exterior mirrors

Suggested Improvements

Remote start, more luggage space when all 6 seats are used.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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I love my R-Class

Written by: Dorthy S. on 03/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 4dr Wagon (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

My previous car was an E350 MB. While I loved the handling and styling of the car, I chose the R-class for the room and seating capacity. However I was also surprised with the way the car handles and I really love the styling. I pretty much leave the rear seats down but I like knowing that they are available if needed. I love how long the cargo space is with the 2nd row laid down for extra room If I need to haul longer items. Right now with the great lease and retail programs they have on the R- class, it makes it a great value.

Favorite Features

Room, sat radio, I-pod Integration Kit 7-speed transmission, tele-aid, safety features, bucket seats, multifunction steering wheel controls, voice activation, blue tooth phone capability.

Suggested Improvements

CD ripper, module free Bluetooth, auto dimming rearview and sideview should be standard equipment.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Excellent Vehicle for Our Needs

Written by: RPC on 03/12/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 4dr Wagon (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

We had a Mecedes wagon with a rear seat but were looking for a vehicle with a larger interior. We also waited for the 2008 that created a 3 person seat in the second row. This vehicle has been everything my wife has wanted and she can handle its size even in tight locations. She loves to drive it. I happen to like to drive it as well. With all the SUVs on the road and having two younger children, we feel much safer in this vehicle, even over the MB wagon. The long wheel base makes for a very smooth drive and ride (even in the 3rd seat that two adults can sit comfortably in). This is definitely a vehicle worth test driving! It will make you strongly consider it as a purchase option.

Favorite Features

I love the panoramic roof with all the glass to see out. It makes sitting in the 2nd or 3rd seat seem much more open. The back-up camera is a great help along with the bumper sensors that let you know if you are coming too closs to an object. The seating is also very comfortable.

Suggested Improvements

The transmission paddles that are on the backside of the steering column could be better placed so that you don't accidently engage them. However, after a couple of weeks of driving, you never know they are there.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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We love our well-kept secret

Written by: MSS on 03/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 4dr Wagon (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

I practically stumbled across this car when I decided to check out the MB lot just for the heck of it one day. We had been looking closely at the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, but I was blown away by the interior size, comfort and luxury touches of this vehicle. Our R class includes fantastic features such as the backup camera, panorama roof (awesome), 6 CD changer, Sirius radio for 6 months, and the 7 seat option. The car rides very well and the torque makes up for what the HP lacks. Although I should say with three kids, I want exactly looking for massive power -- more for interior space and three rows of seats, which the R class has in spades.

Favorite Features

Cavernous room in the interior. Even the third row is generous. MB quality, smooth yet sporty feel, panorama roof, backup camera, Nav system, michelin tires, easy access to the back row, parktronic, even the Smart Key is cool.

Suggested Improvements

Would like better back visibility. The windshield doesn't appear to have tinting - the sun blares in. If I'm not careful, I'm going to wreck this car playing with all the toys (Nav, Sirius, CD changer, etc). Shouldn't leather be included at this price point?

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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A perfect compromise

Written by: Joe Brasco on 03/02/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 4dr Wagon AWD (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

This car a fantastic family verhicle. Not only does it ride like a Mercedes S-Class but it has the same unrivaled leg room - even in the third row. I love th ease of converting from three rows to two and back - the only car I know where this can be done with one hand from the rear of the car while loading! You will love riding this car and long road trips will be a breeze.

Favorite Features

Motorized hatch with remote control - third row stow-away mechanism - interior design and rooom like S Class.

Suggested Improvements

Bigger engine option would be nice.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Smooth & Spacious

Written by: David on 02/27/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 4dr Wagon AWD (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

We are so happy with this car. We chose it over the LR3. MDX. XC90. Q7. It's smooth, spacious and solid. It's got the space inside that others have wasted. This is a well designed and very unique car. I would buy again.

Favorite Features

3rd row can seat adults in comfort. Panoramic roof has to be seen to be believed. My daughter can actually walk between the 2nd and 3rd row, when parked naturally. Solid throughout. I trust this car with my family's safety.

Suggested Improvements

Cruise control stick gets in the way of the indicator. Rear doors are large but I'm not sure how they can be realistically improved without turning it into a minivan. I think the opening mechanism need more torque or settings. Perhaps some kind of power door. I just know we are going to ding someone

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Versatile luxury

Written by: Ralph on 02/01/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R320 CDI 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Review

At first, I went to get a 4 door sedan, therefore I was hesitant to get what I thought of as a "minivan in disguise". But the more I drive it, the more I love it! I like the way it handles both on the highway and around the city. It feels like a Mercedes Benz car not a minivan or truck. People love the back seats, and the plentiful leg room available. The diesel model, which I have, is giving me great mileage per gallon of gas. I love that the seats in the back can be arranged in different configurations, very versatile. It is very luxurious inside. The sound system is excellent.

Favorite Features

The seat arrangeament versatility, and the leg room. I like that the trunk door can be opened and close with the remote control. The radio and I-Pod connectivity are also easy to handle,

Suggested Improvements

At this price level, all cars should include GPS as standard. It is a rather expensive option.

15 out 15 people found this review helpful

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A Family Vehicle with lots of room

Written by: Alison on 01/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 4dr Wagon AWD (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

We needed a family vehicle that could seat 6-7 people comfortably and still provide space for baby gear, groceries or luggage. We wanted a cross-over type of vehicle, not a monster SUV, and something that still provided luxury, safety and performance. I have been an Audi driver for the past five years so comfort, performance and safety were key. After looking at a number of vehicles we decided to look at the R Class. (The Audi Q7 didn't cut it with cubic space.) I am very pleased with the key factors I had to consider and extremely happy with the space we were seeking. We chose the P1 package with a couple of extras, the I-pod hook up (I love) and heated seats.

Favorite Features

Easy access, automatic opening and closing of the trunk, i-pod connection, ability to operate many features on the steering wheel and the park-tronic.

Suggested Improvements

Bigger side view mirrors, more HP, lags a bit on acceleration. Bluetooth set up very expensive - should be a standard (safety)feature no matter what. Move the tip-tronic buttons & cruise control arm! I hit them constantly, accidentally & it drives me nuts. Make song titles viewable on nav screen.

10 out 10 people found this review helpful

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