Mercedes-Benz R-Class 2006-2012 ride & handling

The weight of the Mercedes R-Class certainly helps ride quality. Double wishbones at the front and a multi-link rear combine with that super-long wheelbase to give limo-like levels of ride comfort.

Despite a slightly vague feel to the steering, it heads fairly faithfully in your chosen direction. It’s not within a country mile of what you’d call fun, but compared with its off-roader competitors it’s more than good enough. 

It’s not within a country mile of what you’d call fun

Matt Prior

Editor-at-large

The brakes feel pretty good and resist fade very well. With superb fit and finish and excellent interior materials (save a few hard plastics in the lower dash), the R-Class seems to be built to the standards you’d expect.