For years the ute has been the tool of the worker.
Rugged, functional – built to work.
However, over the last decade we have seen the market transitions to many being plusher, more lifestyle focused.
A more recent trend has been the shift to the “premium” ute.
Ford was arguably the first with the Wildtrak model, which set a new price high in the ute market.
Then the Europeans arrived with the Volkswagen Amarok, and now the Mercedes-Benz X-Class.
While some seemed surprised at the arrival of the Germans to the market, they shouldn’t be.
In the case of Mercedes-Benz, the brand has been selling vans and trucks to happy businesses for decades.
An additional model in their sales mix makes sense, particularly one that could be seen as a gateway to their other products.
Let’s get the obvious point out of the way early, the X-Class is developed from the Nissan Navara, but then almost every ute in the market is a co-development of something else.
They share a platform, though with a range of changes to the suspension, a basic cabin shape, some switchgear, and of course the Renault-sourced 2.3-litre turbocharged diesel engine.
Later this year we get the six-cylinder version of the X-Class which by all accounts is even further removed from its cousin.
The body itself is very different, and the X-Class looks far more premium and substantial on the road.
It’s I 70mmm wider than the Nissan, with 50mm wider tracks.
The tray is also larger, being able to take a full-size pallet between the arches, and on 4×4-models the payload sits at just over a tonne – both feats not all the options in the ute market can achieve.
Tow capacity is the market-standard 3500kg.
I think the X-Class is a looker.
On our X250d Power model, a huge Mercedes emblem sits within a satin-silver grille.
There is a large lower trim plate flanked by driving lights, with the main lights being aggressive-looking LED units.
The vehicle photographed carries an optional Style package with running boards, roof rails, privacy glass and an electric rear window – 18-inch wheels are standard.
While we’ve found the interiors of all grades of X-Class to be very pleasant and solidly built, the Power takes it up a notch.
The dash and door trims are covered in a stitched, human-made leather look, and while there are some hard plastics lower down in the cabin, they are not in common touch points.
The air-vents look great and are functional for turning on and off airflow with a twist.
The steering wheel is reach-adjustable only, though the driving position works pretty well.
The power gets dual-zone climate control.
The seats are the best in the ute market.
The Power model pews are covered in a mix of synthetic leather and microfibre, appear a little slimline but are soft yet supportive – even for larger people.
They are also electrically adjustable, and you don’t feel like you are sitting too high as you can in some commercials.
The rear seat is similarly well shaped, and wide, though head and legroom are a little tight.
The X-Class gets the brand’s Command information screens, one in the centre of the dash and one for the driver.
The centre screen is controlled by a dial interface between the seats, and it all works well – particularly the navigation system.
It does, however, take up much space down there, creating a lack of storage.
The two cupholders are tiny, the centre cubby small and there is nowhere to put a mobile phone except in the door pockets.
It may force staff to put their phones out of reach, but in day-to-day usage I see it becoming an annoyance.
The screen also hosts the 360-degree parking camera system, a handy device for squeezing such a large vehicle into city spots.
What about the tray? The Power has a tough tray liner and a handy adjustable tie-down system, although we would prefer more tie-down points at floor level.
As mentioned earlier, it is one of the largest in the class.
I think the X-Class is one of the nicest utes in the market to travel in, and that is almost entirely down to the refinement work Mercedes-Benz have done.
The rear spring tuning means the ride is relatively jiggle-free.
Noise levels are some of the lowest in the class; the diesel has to be working hard to be particularly intrusive.
It is near passenger-car hushed in hear thanks to a huge amount of sound deadening material.
That work has a counter in that the ute is well over 200kg heavier than the donor model.
While the X-Class feels brisk around town thanks to the low down power delivery of the 2.
3-litre engine, which produces 140kW and 450Nm, on the open road it appears to run a little short of puff in the mid-to-high range.
Overtaking needs a little more planning for the run-up required.
The chassis, however, feels good, with light and relatively responsive steering and competent brakes.
The seven-speed automatic is slick and does a solid job.
We didn’t get a chance to try the X-Class offroad, although the numbers stack up to indicate it will be good when the going gets tough – a wading depth of 600mm and a ground clearance of 222mm.
The four-wheel drive is switchable through a dial between two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and a locked four-wheel drive, while the rear differential is lockable at the touch of a button.
If safety is one of your buying factors – and it should be – the X-Class offers a full five-star ANCAP rating.
Seven airbags are standard, as is autonomous emergency braking and a lane keeping assist system.
Further consideration will be running costs.
The Power model with the automatic transmission retails at $69,000 including GST before running costs.
This is a little on the high side for the segment, but the X counters with fuel economy of 7.
9 litres per 100km, and the addition of three years free servicing to keep the accountant happy.
We are hugely impressed with the X-Class.
It brings a new level of refinement to the ute market, and those front seats are worth the price of admission alone.
Yes, it could use a little more performance, but the answer to that arrives shortly with the six-cylinder models – which will no doubt sell like German hotcakes.
