Benz with a Bed: The Mercedes-Benz X-class Pickup Truck Is Here

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Conveniently forgetting the Lincoln Blackwood and Mark LT and the Cadillac Escalade EXT—or, more likely, throwing massive shade at those American automakers—Mercedes has declared that its new X-class is “the first pickup from a premium manufacturer.” The X-class is an offspring of the alliance between Daimler and Renault-Nissan. It will be built alongside the Europe-market Nissan Navara, a decidedly average mid-size pickup with which the Benz shares mechanicals. It indeed will be Mercedes-Benz’s first entry in the segment, but it won’t be coming here.

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In countries with access to the X-class, there will be a number of powertrain options. A few select markets will get the rear-drive-only X200 with a 164-hp gasoline four-cylinder, but the diesel versions are expected to be far more popular. There will be the 161-hp X220d and the 188-hp X250d, both powered by a four-cylinder turbo-diesel. The X350d, coming later next year, will have the most desirable powertrain: a 255-hp diesel 3.0-liter V-6. This version will be the only X-class with permanent four-wheel drive; all others come with an electronically engaging four-wheel-drive system that offers a rear-drive mode. There are two transmission choices, a six-speed manual and a seven-speed automatic.

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The X-class is offered in three trim levels: Pure, Progressive (conservative customers are welcome), and Power. Power refers to the vehicle’s style; its actual powertrain is identical with the other iterations. You can get COMAND infotainment, and a version of that system with a touchpad for fingertip writing is optional. The interior materials are improved over those in its Nissan sister model, but details such as the transmission shifter reveal that the X-class’s interior is a far cry from those of other Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles in terms of sumptuousness.

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Daimler claims that the X-class is “the first pickup that offers not just excellent off-road but also superb on-road performance.” That’s a steep claim even against only Euro pickups, considering the fantastic on-road performance of the Volkswagen Amarok V-6 TDI.

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Daimler has set itself a high bar; we look forward to driving the X-class to see whether it measures up to the boasts. The price certainly fits the aspirations: The X-class will set buyers back nearly $ 36,000 when it launches in Germany this fall—and that’s before the mandatory 19 percent sales tax.

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