R320 Diesel Too Classy to be Called a Station Wagon

2009 Mercedes-Benz R320 BlueTec 4MATIC

model as tested $55,015

Test Drove 4/20/09 – 4/27/09
reviewed by Lori Hindman

The last time I was in a Mercedes-Benz diesel I was 9 years old. My mom drove one. From inside my school classroom, I could hear her driving up the road; I could smell it from across the street. It was embarrassing to my 9-year-old self. Imagine my joy at discovering that the 2009 Mercedes-Benz R320 BlueTec diesel is not only quiet and odor-free, but kind to our planet, too.

The R-Class crossover is already close to becoming the ultimate luxury mom-mobile, and it’s glamorously green with its new diesel technology, too. Apparently, this is what all the eco-groovy Hollywood moms are driving. After spending a week in an R320 diesel, I’d be happy to join their ranks. If only…

The R-Class is a six- or seven-seat crossover with so much luxury and comfort inside that calling it a station wagon is just plain insulting. It’s a pretty, powerful and flexible crossover. While I wasn’t in love with Mercedes’ complicated Comand information system or the layout of the controls, I wasn’t annoyed enough to be happy to see this car go.

Driving the R320 diesel is surprisingly pleasant. There’s none of that nasty noise or smoke that used to come with diesel engines. While this new diesel is a bit louder than its gasoline counterpart, the sound level isn’t annoying or that noticeable. In fact, I had to draw people’s attention to the R320 to get any sort of reaction to it. The diesel V-6’s sound is deeper and slower, but it’s easily within the normal range of engine noise. Another great improvement over my mother’s diesel car is the BlueTec engine has eliminated the dreaded diesel lag. The crossover’s acceleration seems heavy rather than quick, but it’s certainly powerful. It drives smoothly and steadily, and it handles curves and mountain roads without batting an eye.

What’s really great about the R320 is its gas mileage and the eco-friendliness of the new diesel technology. The R320 gets an EPA-estimated 18/24 mpg city/highway. Even with my lead-footed driving through the mountains, I averaged 17 mpg, which is decent for a car this heavy. It’s not just the gas mileage that’s green, the additives to the exhaust system negate 99 percent of those icky greenhouse gases and particulates that used to come pouring out of diesels as black smoke.

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