Mercedes-Benz R350 Overview

A few years back, Mercedes touted its status as the world's oldest manufacturer with the tagline “The new car from the people who brought you the car.” And allowing for its elevated place in the automotive world, the company can be given some slack for pitching its R Class as a “mid-size luxury SUV” or crossover—instead of the minivan it resembles. The R Class got a slight face lift for 2011, receiving a new grill and headlights, both designed to impart a more aggressive appearance. All models feature all-wheel-drive, and two different engines are available. The base motor is a 3.5L V6 (14/18 mpg), with an option for a 3.0L turbo charged BlueTEC diesel (18/24 mpg), and each of the powerplants is mated to a buttery smooth seven-speed automatic transmission. Inside, the cabin is everything high-end buyers have come to expect from the storied brand, with luxurious appointments, exceptional build quality, impressive head and leg room and a third row seat that's fit to carry even large adults. MSRPs for the R Class begin at $51,115 for gas models and $52,615 for the diesel.