Nissan Rogue Vs. Honda CR-V: Compare Cars
For small families, the vehicle of choice is no longer the minivan or the SUV; it's the compact... Read More
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Adults should have no problem getting into the back row as the second row seats easily flip up and out of the way
The third-row seat is adult-habitable
Versatile to a fault, the R-Class also can quickly and easily be reconfigured to tote two people and up to 85 cubic feet of cargo
Entry and exit are easy via large doors and no-stress step-in height.
Merc engineers have done a bang-up job when it comes to keeping road noise at bay in both models
QUALITY | 9 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
Adults should have no problem getting into the back row as the second row seats easily flip up and out of the way
Motor Trend
The third-row seat is adult-habitable
Automobile Magazine
Versatile to a fault, the R-Class also can quickly and easily be reconfigured to tote two people and up to 85 cubic feet of cargo
Kelley Blue Book
Entry and exit are easy via large doors and no-stress step-in height.
ConsumerGuide
Merc engineers have done a bang-up job when it comes to keeping road noise at bay in both models
Autoblog
If you need to accommodate several adult passengers in comfort--or even if you seek a more luxurious alternative to a minivan--the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class is a great pick.
In layout, accommodations, and interior details, the R-Class has an excellent combination of attributes for passing the miles in luxury. Those very long back doors allow easy access to the third row of this six- or seven-seater, and the standard arrangement in three rows of two bucket seats (with a middle seat available for the second row) makes sure everyone’s taken care of. In the second row, you can slide the seats fore and aft several inches so as to divvy out legroom--especially as it can be scarce in the third row if you happen to have the second all the way back. Nevertheless, the second-row seats flip up The rearmost row is a little smaller, a little flatter, but it’s no punishment as there’s still enough headroom (even, barely, for this 6’-6” beanpole).
Whether you're in front or in the second row, you get great seats; but the R-Class isn't quite as good as a minivan--or many crossovers--for cargo. While they fold to a mostly-flat position, they don't actually fold into the floor. Also, folding the seats is a daunting, multistep operation (involving nudging the front seat forward, and removing the rear headrests) that in no way, as in many competitors, can be done with one arm still holding onto a kid or a stroller.
Unfortunately, those huge rear doors will still be a handicap for those who live in tighter city spaces. With rather stiff action, they require a lot of effort for kids, and you might not be able to open them up all the way except in your driveway.
The R-Class’s ride is creamy yet firm, and soaks up jittery back-road surfaces with aplomb. Even over the potholes and crumbled sections that are all too common in the New York City metro area, where we first drove the R-Class, it maintained a feeling of composure and solidity.
Conclusion
For passing the miles in luxury, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class is a top pick.
