ok and the B class? ... now there's a waste of space ... yes, the R is ugly, but the B is like a mini me ... *eesh*

 

My experience of the R Class is as a shuttle between the dealer and work... but I would agree that it does feel somewhat cheap inside... Its kind of neither one thing or the other... does not feel luxurious and composed enough as a Mercedes should be... while at the same time not offering all the utilities and space of cheaper vehicles...

Its one of those variants that does not quite feel a "real" Mercedes... like the A, B, C, and ML Class also... Perhaps MB should rebadge the S, SL, CL, and CLS as "real Mercedes"!

Chris

 

From what I see here in Brooklyn, the R class seems to be doing extremely well with upper class hasidic Jews. Drive through upper class jewish neighboorhoods, such as Mill Basin, Ocean Parkway, and the R classes are all over.

That being said, I think that the R class isn't very successful because it's interior is tacky for a Mercedes.

 

I tried to like the R class but it really is just too ugly.

 

You can get a Tahoe for substantially less than an Escalade and a Land Cruiser for much less than an LX470. MDX/Pilot; RX350/Highlander. The list goes on. Those luxury cars are not failures. I just don't think that very many people are cross-shopping a Pacifica and an R-Class. The problem is that people view the the R-Class as too close to a minivan, plain and simple. [I'm not advocating that it is--if you are cross shopping a minivan, the R-Class will be (1) way more expensive and (2) way less practical]. The R-Class/Pacifica is a minivan for those that like the concept but don't really need one. There is a reason that Lexus, Acura, Infiniti and Cadillac all forego adding a luxury minivan to their lineup when they easily could re-badge another car from a sister company to sell. They clearly have all made a determination that they won't sell well enough to do it.

 

What makes it so popular with Jews? I don't see anything about it that would appeal to Jews more than any other vehicle....unless they just like a wide center console so they don't have to sit close to one another.

 

I dont know, a lot of hasidic Jew around here drive minivans, so I guess the richer ones buy the R class, as it's the only expensive minivan.

 

OK, sorry for the stereotype but maybe cuz they could get it relatively cheap?

 

Guess they should get rid of the B/R-Class.

 

Eh, problem was that vehicle was glorified minivan/station wagon that looked like minivan/station wagon.

Check next year how well Venza is doing - it will sell crapload, because not only it is usable, it also looks as good as an SUV even though it is much lower vehicle with lower profile.

Thats where MB missed the mark.

 

Rebadged elongated Chrysler Pacifica.

 

I laugh everytime I see the R on the road. I always have to look inside to see what kind of person would buy that nasty thing. I know I'll get pinged for this comment, but I normally see either some goober driving that van, or some very old soccer mom/grandma.

I also think the Pacifica is an ugly vehicle too. It has Ford styling and performace - Fat, Blocky, Heavy and Underpowered

 

Funny. Yet the Mazda5 with its 2+2+2 is selling very well haha. I think it has to do with the price. What can the R-Class do that the M-Class or for that matter, the GL-Class can't?

 

I know I'm a bit late, but I was thinking this exact same thing before I read the comment. I've always seen the R-Class as too similar to the pacifica, and neither one did anything that well.

 

The Sienna can become quite expensive at certain trims.