Mercedes-Benz surprised everyone when they decided to add the pickup truck to their lineup, and the Concept X-Class was presented back in October 2016. These vehicles have gone through massive changes in the recent years, and now they are used for both work and other aspects of life. Mercedes-Benz decided to give the midsize pickup segment some luxury.
Exterior Design and Concept Comparison
The X-Class is similar to the concept car, and we can see all of the trademark elements from the three-pointed star from the grille to the traditional headlights. This pickup will be available in the four-door crew cab configuration whereas the bed looks just like a regular bed on any pickup.
However, the German giant decided to modify the tail light arrangement, so they are different on the production version – it is not just a solid strip of LEDs around the bed. It will make the tail light repair and replacement a lot easier, but from the design standpoint of view, it is not the most popular decision Mercedes made.
Step Inside the Cabin
Most of the parts inside the cabin are borrowed from the other models from the lineup, and these elements include the steering wheel, vents, and the “floating” infotainment system. The transmission shifter is automatic, and it feels as if it doesn’t belong here among all those fancy details. It is surrounded by the plastic cladding, and it has a more traditional stick-type shifter. On the other hand, trucks need to be rugged, and we don’t expect Mercedes to fill up the X-Class with top-quality upholstery and dashboard covered in gold.
Despite that and several other details, the vehicle is still handsome. The important thing is that the 2018 Mercedes-Benz X-Class can tow up to 7,716 pounds, plus you can put 2,425 pounds in the bed. Pretty impressive for a pickup constructed by Mercedes.
Engines
To get all of this weight moving the entry-level X-Class will be equipped with the gas I4 engine that produces 165 horsepower. The other two models, X220d and X250d, will come with two different I4 units that deliver 163 hp and 190 hp respectively. For those who find this insufficient, the company offered the diesel V6 good for 258 ponies for the range-topping model. The engines are connected either to a manual or an automatic transmission that sends power to rear or to all wheels, all of this depends on you and trim that you choose. If you opt for the AWD, there is an optional locking differential, but there is also a middle-ground drivetrain option which acts like a rear-wheel-drive truck until you need more traction. Mercedes decided to use a set of static coil springs on all four wheels so no fancy stuff here.
Technology
We can tell for sure that the X-Class is constructed by Mercedes if we take a look at the technology it brings. There are numerous active and passive safety systems such as traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Also, connected-car services are included, allowing owners to check up on their trucks remotely. Door-to-door navigation is also possible because of this technology and navigation system comes as standard.
Models
The X-Class will go on sale in three versions – Pure, Progressive and Power. The first one is for the people who love the trucks and their original purpose – it is focused on ruggedness and utility, and it will help you move whatever needs moving. The Progressive is a little bit of both, and it has some luxurious elements that are lacking on the Pure version. Power is all about styling, performance, and comfort, but you can use it to transport something now and then.
The Frame
We have to mention that the frame for the 2018 Mercedes X-Class is sourced from the ongoing Nissan Navara, which cannot be found in the US at the moment. This truck will be produced in a joint operation between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler.
2018 Mercedes-Benz X-Class Release Date and Price
We don’t know whether the X-Class will arrive in the US, but we expect it in Europe, Africa, and South America. It will hit the European market first, in November, with the price tag of around $42,758. The pickup will go on sale in other markets at the beginning of 2018 or 2019, depending on a country.
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