Back in 2005, when Mercedes-Benz launched a car not a minivan, not an SUV not a wagon thingy, but the R-class, a multi-passenger flagship.The R350 is currently offered in the U.S. with standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive and your choice of a gas-powered 3.5-liter V-6 producing 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
The diesel’s fuel-economy ratings of 18 mpg city and 24 highway easily trump the gas V-6’s 14 and 19 and achieved a respectable 20 mpg in the BlueTec.Both V-6s are hooked to a seven-speed automatic that, in our tester, provided smooth shifts when driving.
The R350 BlueTec still has old-style Mercedes steering, heavily weighted with a large on-center dead spot. It’s relaxing, and the dead spot is appreciable, because of the tremendous amount of body roll that accompanies steering inputs.
The R350 BlueTec did manage to improve on the R500’s skidpad performance, from 0.75 g to 0.80. Braking from 70 mph takes 177 feet—pretty good for a six-seater—but pedal feel is noticeably absent.
The diesel’s fuel-economy ratings of 18 mpg city and 24 highway easily trump the gas V-6’s 14 and 19 and achieved a respectable 20 mpg in the BlueTec.Both V-6s are hooked to a seven-speed automatic that, in our tester, provided smooth shifts when driving.
The R350 BlueTec still has old-style Mercedes steering, heavily weighted with a large on-center dead spot. It’s relaxing, and the dead spot is appreciable, because of the tremendous amount of body roll that accompanies steering inputs.
The R350 BlueTec did manage to improve on the R500’s skidpad performance, from 0.75 g to 0.80. Braking from 70 mph takes 177 feet—pretty good for a six-seater—but pedal feel is noticeably absent.
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