BNR34

iTrader: (1)

Mercedes V-Class will be sold in the U.S. next year, so the wealthy van drivers don't have to stuck with Sienna and Odyssey anymore.

Thank god, I am so tired of seeing vanilla Sienna Limited Premium and Odyssey Touring Elite in a sea of luxury cars.

mmarshall

With all due respect, at least based on the exterior styling, I fail to see much difference between a vanilla Odyssey/ Sienna and this vanilla-Mercedes........though with the Mercedes at probaby twice the price.

In fact, if it's non-vanilla you want, for probably significantly less money than the Mercedes people-mover, one can get a Buick Enclave, which, IMO, has an interior plush enough (especially at that price) to knock one's socks off.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

I understand your thinking, you believe the MR2 look identical to a Ferrari.

I too imagine I am driving a Bentley Mulsanne Speed when I am driving my LS430 Ultra Luxury.

It is all in your head, dreaming is free right?

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

Overall engineering wise, tons of Japanese offerings far exceed their comparable European offerings.

But as far as exterior stylings and image goes, very few Japanese cars looks cooler then their comparable European competitors.

The LFA is still a Toyota that looks like a Celica.

mmarshall

Actually, it was a close friend of mine who owned a bright-red 1994 MR2 turbo, and he (not me) said that he loved it because of the resemblance, though, of course, he had a point. And the girls he dated with it seemed to have felt pretty much the same.

I don't see where a Bentley looks like an LS, though. That's stretching it too much.

Yeah....if you like reading Walter Mitty stories.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

You are getting me wrong here, I am solely talking about coolness and exterior stylings here, without money as a consideration.

Of course European cars in general have the worse value compare to the Asians and Americans, that is why the car I own is a LS430, the best value sedan ever made.

But if it is not my money, cars on the street that I have to look at, that are own by other people that have nothing to do with me. I much prefer looking at nothing but highend exotic European cars

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

Read my post again, I said "wealthy", which I am not.

And I said I am tired of "seeing", not "owning" or "driving"

If I ever own a van myself, it would be a Sienna.

For van I get to look at that I don't have to pay for, I prefer it to be a AMG V65

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Thank you Benz ! It's always been there, just needed a little nudge this side of the Atlantic

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

I don't know what is taking them so long, the luxury van market is definitely there.

RXSF

Well to be fair, wealthy families have been buying GLs for a long time now. While I think the front end of this van looks good, I think it detracts from the overall prestigiousness of the brand

TangoRed

Have you driven one of these? There's plenty of cheap plastic there to last you a while. Not what I'd call plush. It's not just me- almost every review I've read has commented on it as well.

pbm317

Agree 100%. No way a true luxury minded customer would have their socks knocked off by the Enclave. The GM Lambda crossovers are overdue for a major overhaul.

Only thing that might hurt the Mercedes is the RWD layout for the van, which many suburbanites may avoid for a primary family hauler. 4WD is just coming to the full size Sprinter, but I don't think it's offered on this particular van, at least not yet.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Tiny FWD entry levels don't seem to be hampering Mercedes image either though. In fact they're doing better than ever all while producing many successful Classes and AMG vehicles. A strategy that is aimed to attract life long buyers of the brand. It may not sell well, but I applaud them tapping into a new demographic in a new market.

LeX2K

You wanna see that driving around? It's hideous.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I liked it until I saw the rear end. Definitely not my cup of tea. Hopefully, this thing gets the luxury minivan ball rolling. I'd love to have a Lexus minivan with the F-package. 450hp to get me from one supermarket to another.