Review: Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013)
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Looking for a Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 - 2013)?
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Rating:
Mercedes-Benz version of a people carrier. Huge amounts of space inside. Available as a long wheelbase for even more room. A seven seater from 2010 rather than the original six-seater.
Feels big and cumbersome from behind the wheel. Sheer size makes it tricky to manoeuvre. Poor warranty claim record.
Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013): At A Glance
- Insurance Groups are between 44–48
- On average it achieves 91% of the official MPG figure
Another day, another massive Mercedes. At 5,157mm (17 feet) the RL is actually 69mm (2.7 inches) longer than the gargantuan GL Class.
However, instead of seven seats, the car is built around six supersize Americans. Everyone gets an individual seat and room to stretch their legs, though the rearmost are only good for people less than 7' tall and weighing under 20 stone.
Looking for a Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 - 2013)?
Register your interest for later or request to be contacted by a dealer to talk through your options now.
What does a Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013) cost?
Buy a used Mercedes-Benz R-Class from £12,990
Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013): What's It Like Inside?
- Boot space is 305–2385 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4922–5173 mm |
| Width | 1922 mm |
| Height | 1659–1674 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2980–3215 mm |
At 5' 9", getting into the car, I felt like a midget. It's on a different scale, like a ‘Spot On' model car compared to a Dinky. Mine came on optional 19" AMG wheels with gigantic 255/50 x 19 tyres which actually look right on the car, though the standard 235/65 x 17s are probably a bit more comfortable to ride on.
Mercedes describes the R Class as a Grand Sport Tourer: part sports saloon, part estate and part MPV, with a hint of SUV.
The car weighs 2,270kg before anyone gets in, which is 160kg less than the GL. Yet curiously, in hilly conditions, the 320CDI engine seems to struggle to pull it along, whereas it felt adequate in the GL.I can't help thinking that for the UK the R Class would have worked better as a 7-seater, sacrificing a bit of seat width in the centre row to get another body in.
However, with only 395 litres of luggage capacity, six giants, or seven normal people, or a mixture of both are going to have to send some of their baggage ahead.
Child seats that fit a Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013)
Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.What's the Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013) like to drive?
- Engines range from R280 CDI to R63 AMG
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 12–38 mpg
The R hums along the motorway very quietly though, and since 7th gets you 40mph per 1,000 rpm, 70 comes up at only 1,750rpm. Feathering it I averaged 30.7mpg over 45 miles and over the 200 miles of the test I managed 28.37mpg, which isn't bad for such a colossal car.
So where does this leviathan fit? It isn't an S Class estate. It's not as sophisticated as an S Class. It has four wheel drive, but it isn't a cross-country car.
Very simply, it's for big people. If you have four very big people and a couple of big kids to cross continents with, nothing does it better.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| R300 CDI BlueEfficiency | 37 mpg | 9.5 s | 201 g/km |
| R350 CDI BlueEfficiency | 33 mpg | 7.7 s | 223 g/km |
| R350 CDI L BlueEfficiency | 30 mpg | 8.8 s | 246 g/km |
Real MPG average for a Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
91%
Real MPG
12–38 mpg
MPGs submitted
31
Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.
What have we been asked about the Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013)?
Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.
I bought a used car that wasn't fit for purpose - can I reject it for a refund?
What Cars Are Similar To The Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2006 – 2013)?
Key attributes of the this model are: Seven seats and MPV.
Unclear on what your next car should be? Use our Car Chooser to pick something that suits your needs.
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