2006 Mercedes R350
Crossing Generational Boundaries
Test drove: 12/27/2005 to 1/10/2006
Most of the time I test drive whatever vehicles are sent to me, like a good little automotive journalist. But occasionally there's a car or two out there worth my time to actually hunt down and pursue. The Mercedes R-Class is one of those: A luxury crossover with plenty of room for carpool. Send me one now, please!
Even more rare than cars worth hunting down are vehicles with styling that actually crosses generational boundaries — appealing to my children, me and even my mother who, in her mid-60s is still "too young to be a grandma" and insists on being called Mimi.
So imagine my surprise when I pick my mother up for Sunday brunch in the 2006 Mercedes R350 and she exclaims, "Wow, what a beauty!" referring to the car of course. I think this is one of the few things we've agreed upon in the past 29 years. However, my baby brother (barely 20 years old) said, "That's a Mercedes? It looks more like a Pontiac." Ouch! I won't tell Mercedes he said that.
The R350 is amazingly spacious and roomy inside, without making me feel like I'm driving around an apartment complex. Three rows of seats accommodate a total of six people. The second row has enough legroom for a rear-facing infant seat (even with the handle in the down position, as it's supposed to be), and doors that open wide enough to easily breeze the car seat through the opening. The third row is spacious enough for adults (or even gangly teenagers), and by folding one of the third-row seats there's plenty of room to tote my kids' wagon or bikes around.
Add to that the incredible panoramic roof that extends from the front seats all the way to the third row (don't worry — it's reinforced and shatterproof), and grownups forced to sit in the "way back" enjoy the scenic ride, watching the treetops and sky above. Unlike other vehicles with three rows of seats, the R-Class is smooth enough to keep third-row passengers from feeling like children in an inflatable bouncy castle.
Installing child safety seats is incredibly easy for those who know where to look. I'll let you in on it: The trick is that the Latch connectors are hidden in a slit in the bottom seat cushion, as opposed to the seat crevasse where they would normally be found. This feature proves to be hubby-proof. I enjoy watching my husband squirm as he's unable to figure it out before I swoop in and save the day.
Although the driver and front-passenger seats have eight-way power-adjustable bucket seats, my test vehicle does not have a memory feature. This is fine for families who have a car for every driver, but for families who share vehicles, the driver will have to readjust the settings every time (unless, of course, you make the upgrade).
Small drivers beware: My main gripe about the 2006 Mercedes R350 has to do with the sun visors. When the driver's seat is pulled forward, the sun visor won't swivel to block sun from the side window without first taking out my nose, then getting stuck on the head restraint. I remedy the problem by moving my seat further back than is comfortable for me.
With the exception of the sun visor, driving the 2006 Mercedes R350 for two weeks straight is fabulous. After months of trying to squeeze carpool into test vehicles that really aren't meant for it, it's plainly luxurious to have enough room for everybody. With seat belts that are useable even by children and a turning radius small enough to allow me to park easily at the grocery store — and for its ability to confirm the sometimes debatable fact that I am actually derived from my mother's gene pool — the R350 makes my daily life more pleasurable.
*For more information on the Mercedes E350 and its safety features, visit www.cars.com. For questions or comments regarding this review, write to MotherProof@msn.com.
LET'S TALK NUMBERS
LATCH Connectors: 2
Seating Capacity (includes driver): 6
IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample - Galore
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Excellent
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On):Groove-On
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| Base price: | 48,000 |
| Price as tested: | 58,865 |
| Engine: | 3.5 Liter, V6, 268 HP |
| Fuel: | 16/21 MPG |
| Length: | 203" |
| Width: | 71" |
| Step-in height: | 4.5" ground clearance |
| Cargo space: | 89 cu ft |
| NHTSA Crash-Test Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Frontal Impact | |
| Driver's side: | Not Tested |
| Passenger's side: | Not Tested |
| Side Impact | |
| Front occupant: | Not Tested |
| Rear occupant: | Not Tested |
| Rollover resistance: | Not Rated |
Comments
We have the diesel version R320 CDI for 17k miles. We get about 29 mpg in mixed driving. The engine can push you into the seat once the turbocharger gets spooled up. Panorama roof is the best splurge option on this car, especially if you don't think you will use it. Drives closer to a 2 dr sedan than a van. The all time 4wd sticks in all weather conditions. Have to remind yourself that there's snow and ice on the ground. The car has loads of safety features. Massive steel crush boxes, air bags front, sides and bolster, active head rests, heavy guard bars, and the seats set inboard away from the doors.
Cons: Maintenance costs are a bit steep compared to a Buick.
Posted by: W251 | May 2, 2008 10:07:20 AM
A Member of theCars.com Family
Subscribe
I have a '06 R350 and it is a dream for moms who just can't give in to the dark side and drive a minivan. When we got the car we had looked a long time for a vehicle where we could fit 3 kids--2 in traditional car seats and 1 in a booster seat. Many vehicles have 3 rows, but the 3rd is only accessible by folding a 2nd row seat forward. As moms appreciate, having a car seat affixed in the 2nd row means no forward-folding that 2nd row seat. This car has a large enough gap between the 2 2nd row seats for a child to climb through to the 3rd row with no problem (I have done it many times too when traveling with 6). Now that we have graduated to 2 boosters only, the car is all the more spacious and the 3rd row all the more accessible. That 3rd row is even comfortable enough for a small adult (I'm 5'5" and it is fine for me) for short and long trips.
The R350 is a dream to drive. It offers the convenience of a mini-van with style deluxe. This is a LONG vehicle, but fits nicely in our garage (unlike a Surburban). It is nimble and turning radius is great -- parking lots no problem.
Now for the bad: maintenance is expensive and even routine parts such as brake lights are hard to get (practically everything is backordered, sometimes for months -- due to the lack of popularity of the car, I guess). Four tires run about $1000 and last about 20-25,000 miles on average.
But for a purchase price about the same as a nicely appointed BMW, Lexus, Volvo and even Suburbans, you just can't go wrong if this is your price range.
Posted by: CECR | Jan 18, 2008 11:26:21 AM