Mercedes-Benz R320 CDI Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Mercedes-Benz R320 CDI
Prices: £39,120-£41,370 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 17
Emissions: 246g/km
Performance: 0-60mph 8.8s / Max Speed 138mph
Fuel Consumption: [R 320CDI] [combined] 30.4mpg
Safety: Eight airbags / ABS / ESP
Dimensions: Length/Width/Heightmm 4922/1922/1656

class of its own

Our Rating: No Rating Available

The Mercedes-Benz R320CDI is in a class of its own. Well, that may apply to any Mercedes-Benz in general, in this case what it actually means is that the R320 CDI does not belong to any neat category - it is neither an SUV, nor an Estate, nor a Saloon. This 'Grand Sports Tourer' aims to create its own niche by mixing and matching features from all of the classes mentioned before, and it succeeds to a great extent. It does not have many competitors, although the Cadillac-SRX and the Audi-Q7 offer similar features and options.

The R320CDI features a four wheel drive, although it was not built with off-road capabilities, with a length of 5157mm from front to back.Even so, it is outfitted with an impressive engine, the 3 liter, six cylinder diesel variant of the V6, with a common rail direct-injection system that generates a torque of 510Nm at 1600rpm. This gives a maximum speed of 138mph, while also allowing it to attain 60mph, from rest, within 8.8 seconds. The engine has been fine-tuned to meet emission standards, and yields a CO2 emission of 246g/Km; as for fuel economy, it consumes 30.4 gallons for every mile you travel; the overall capacity is almost 535 miles. A standard feature of all engines of this class is their synchronization with the seven speed electronically controlled transmission system, which Mercedes-Benz call the 7G-TRONIC, together with DIRECT SELECT.

The gearbox is column mounted, but there is another set of gear buttons mounted on the steering wheel; it handles quite well in the 'drive mode, although not as well as a sequential gearbox. Driver safety is taken care of by an electronic 4ETS traction control system and ESP stability control, which assist handling even under wet and slippery conditions. Suspension consists of a double wishbone front and multiple linkages in the back; an optional feature for the driving obsessed is the Airmatic air suspension system, which yields an even smoother ride.

A host of engineering innovations come as standard package, including the award winning PRE-SAFE safety feature, which constantly monitors a host of drive parameters, and automatically initiates safety measures if it senses that a collision is going to occur. These measures include a better grip on the passengers through their seat belts, closing the windows and sunroof, and optimizing the seat positions to protect against intrusion possibilities.

The R320CDI features three rows of seats with a number of possible combinations to improve leg-space as well as trunk area. The back and the middle seats can all be folded down to maximize boot space, and the middle row can be moved front as well as back; this ensures a big family with its entire luggage can have a comfortable ride.

One of the drawbacks of the car, however, is its navigational system, which is pretty basic by Benz standards - it lacks a touch screen, and the logic is complicated. Still, if you have a large family, and want to drive around in comfort, this is the car for you.