2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class brings to mind a classic Steve Martin and Bill Murray Saturday Night Live skit, circa 1979: “What the hell is that thing?” Martin and Murray say over and over again, with emphasis on different words in the sentence, as they stare at an intriguing item just past the camera lens.
Now, to be fair, the bottom line with the R-Class is it’s yet another classy Mercedes-Benz with much going for it in the way of performance and comfort.
The point is it’s a little hard to define the style and looks of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class. Many feel the 6-seater, which can be arranged to carry 7, functions more like a luxurious minivan than a sports utility vehicle. That’s a good thing, given its roominess and usefulness. But the vehicle looks a little too much like a minivan, too, and that’s generally not such a good thing in the eyes of the buying public.
Ironically, in trying to ease the R-Class away from that minivan comparison, Mercedes took a hit from reviewers when it set the car up with doors that swing open rather than those that slide. The problem is, these are big doors, and they can be problematic in a parking lot.
Still, if buyers can get beyond the “cool” factor and come to grips with driving what may at times catch eyes in a “What the hell is that thing?” manner—and they don’t have much in the way of budget constraints—they can put themselves into a quite impressive machine, a rig that the automaker refers to as a crossover and one that in many ways lives up to the lofty status of the Mercedes nameplate.
Changes for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class are few following an update for 2011, but one of them ranks as fairly significant. Engines differentiate the two R-Class trims, and the R350 4Matic gets an upgraded gasoline-powered V6. That 3.5-liter unit now gets 302 horsepower with 273 lb-ft of torque. Previously, most reviewers were quick to recommend the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 diesel in the R350 BlueTEC 4Matic that is good for 210 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The changes even the playing field a bit and make the choice a little more difficult.
Both trims come with a 7-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic, the standard all-wheel drive (AWD) from Mercedes. The gas-powered engine carries EPA-estimated fuel economy numbers of 16 mpg city/21 highway and the diesel checks in at 18/23.
The 2012 Mercedes Benz R-Class is a big rig, and that helps it offer a smooth and comfortable ride, but the size can also make it a bit tough to maneuver in tight spots and getting around town.
The R-Class scores well with reviewers for its classy, well-equipped and well-constructed cabin, set up with an 8-way power driver’s seat, premium vinyl upholstery, Bluetooth phone connectivity, an 8-speaker sound system with 6-CD changer and other goodies. Some do take issue, though, with the older and less-than-convenient controls on its COMAND navigation system.
The 2012 Mercedes Benz R-Class also comes standard with a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, 19-inch wheels and automatic headlights and wipers. Parking sensors, a blind-spot warning system, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are among the options available individually.
A Premium 1 package includes a rear-view camera, power liftgate, auto-dimming exterior and interior mirrors and other features. The Premium 2 adds to that with keyless ignition/entry and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio setup.
The 2012 Mercedes Benz R-Class offers stability and traction control, antilock brakes and a full array of airbags. It also has PreSafe, a Mercedes product with the ability to detect conditions that suggest a crash or rollover is imminent. In that case, it adjusts the front seatbelts and can close windows and the sunroof to prepare for a collision. The R-Class scores well in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety front and side impact tests.
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2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: jack · 6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · Rear audio: separate rear audio · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather and wood
Convenience Features
Cargo area: floor luggage box · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2 · Number of third row headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in. · Video monitor location: dual rear · Video system: auxiliary audio/video input
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Rear Seats
Type: captains chairs
Roof
Moonroof: power glass · Sunroof: panoramic
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Parking sensors: front and rear
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front, rear and third row · Seatbelt pretensioners: front, rear and third row
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger Seating: 7 · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: one-piece · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Suspension
Air Suspension: rear · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Third Row Seat
Type: 50-50 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: jack · 6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · Rear audio: separate rear audio · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area: floor luggage box · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2 · Number of third row headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in. · Video monitor location: dual rear · Video system: auxiliary audio/video input
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Rear Seats
Type: captains chairs
Roof
Moonroof: tilt/slide · Sunroof: panoramic
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Parking sensors: front and rear
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front, rear and third row · Seatbelt pretensioners: front, rear and third row
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger Seating: 7 · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: one-piece · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Suspension
Air Suspension: rear · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Third Row Seat
Type: 50-50 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: intermittent