In many ways, the Mercedes-Benz R-Class is the least Mercedes-like Mercedes of them all. I'm used to the Benzes being heavy (this brute-wagon weighs in the CL and S-Class neighborhoods), but I've never felt like I was wrestling with an S-Class the way I do with our long-term R500. The beast accelerates, turns and stops effectively, but there is no time during these processes that the driver is not aware of the heft that's being launched, clotheslined, and flung into corners.
Good thing or bad...
The R500 has sure got room to roam inside, though. Even the third row has something to offer inj terms of legroom, which is a huge plus in the current American family landscape.
One other thought comes to mind: If there ever was a Mercedes that needed the AMG treatment to sort it out as a driver's car, the R-Class is it.
Richard Homan, Editor in Chief, Inside Line @ 4,182 miles
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