2010 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

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• Exterior
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Interior - What the Auto Press Says

Many critics agree that the 2010 Mercedes R-Class provides a roomy and luxurious interior.

• "The cabin design is the expected blend of rich, textured plastics, soft-touch surfaces, and high-quality materials." -- Consumer Guide
• "Essentially a luxurious alternative for those who would never consider a traditional minivan, the R-Class seats six or seven passengers rather than the seven or eight you could fit into a minivan or SUV. However, those six or seven passengers will be pampered by one of the finest interiors of any people hauler on the planet." -- Edmunds
• "[T]he R-Class has more comfortable and usable interior space than either of its two big rivals." -- Washington Post

Seating

Overall, reviewers find the Mercedes-Benz R's seats to be comfortable, although the rear is a bit cramped -- especially when it includes the optional seventh seat.

• "All R-Class models seat six in rare comfort, and the R's combination of elongated rear doors and slick spring-loaded second-row chairs helps to facilitate third-row access. The seventh-seat option, however, is a mixed bag. Wedged between the second-row buckets, the extra seat does add to the R-Class' versatility. But with noticeably firmer bolstering than the others, a seatback that encroaches on third-row knee room when in use and a too-narrow width for adult frames, it makes a questionable addition." -- Edmunds
• "Generous room on supportive seats. Entry and exit are easy via large doors and no-stress step-in height." -- Consumer Guide
• "The seats offer magisterial comfort and support, are wholly adjustable to suit one's physique, and remain appealing even after hours of driving." -- Cars.com
• "The R-Class' second row of seats features items usually only found in the first row: individual seat adjustments, reading lights, armrests, air vents, cup holders, middle console and available iPod integration or dual-screen DVD player." -- Kelley Blue Book

Interior Features

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz R-Class comes standard with a multifunction steering wheel, electronic cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, Birdseye Maple wood trim, and the Modular Cockpit Management and Data system (COMAND) -- which integrates AM/FM stereo, single-CD player, a large color LCD screen, Navigation System, and telephone integration or SIRIUS satellite radio.

• "MP3-CD capability and a standard MP3/iPod jack in the glove box will please contemporary music lovers." -- CNET
• "The cockpit is clean and elegant, and most of the controls are intuitive. The digital audio system is a bit complex, however, with some functions buried beneath one or two computerized menus." -- U.S. News
• "The interior of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz R-Class is both posh and functional. Gauges are large and easily read at a glance, most controls are ergonomically sound and appointments are generally befitting an upscale vehicle. " -- Edmunds
• "R-Class blends business-like gauges and sophisticated but generally easy-to-use dashboard controls. Large, well-marked climate dials deserve special praise. Gear shifting via the short column lever takes acclimation. The lever returns to the same position after each shift, requiring the driver to monitor gear selection on instrument panel screen. " -- Consumer Guide

Cargo

Auto reviewers agree that the Mercedes-Benz R-Class has ample cargo space when the third row seats are folded down -- but with all seats up, cargo space is compromised.

• "Both rear seat rows can be folded down to allow an impressive 85 cubic feet of cargo room. But there is only modest cargo space with the third-row seats in their normal upright position." -- MSN
• "There are also lots of places to squirrel away stuff in the R -- console bins, door pockets, and so forth. And in a major philosophical reversal, Mercedes has admitted that cup holders aren't just a bit of American lunacy; the R can be had with as many as eight of these Big Gulp repositories." -- Car and Driver
• "One complaint: The center-mounted cupholder in the second-row seat is a cheap-feeling plasticky affair that's meant to unfold and stow at the touch of a finger, but ends up getting stuck and feeling like it's about to break." -- U.S. News
• "Second- and 3rd-row seats fold easily to lay flush with the floor, providing a cargo hold that's nearly 8 feet long. The available 2nd-row console protrudes above the seatbacks, though. Liftover is low for easy loading. Deep door pockets and multi-chambered 1st- and 2nd-row consoles provide abundant small-item storage." -- Consumer Guide