Buick’s all-new flagship sedan

Not unlike its thematic first cousin the Chrysler Pacifica, the all-new R-Class from Mercedes-Benz blends aspects of several vehicles into a “new class of vehicle” the company calls “Grand Tourer.” However the two vehicles share nothing but their parents, Daimler-Chrysler.

Visually, it looks like a station wagon and drives similarly. The vehicle borrows features like all-wheel-drive from an SUV. Like a minivan, it has three rows of two-bucket seats and four doors that open wide but don’t slide. Overall the R is more car than truck.

Most people I encountered during my weeklong test drive seemed to like the looks of the vehicle, they just didn’t know what to call it. I call it intriguing.

Built in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the R-Class with its striking roof and sweeping lines is a truly large vehicle with a classic Mercedes sports sedan look from the front and a wind-swept aeronautical profile that extends to the liftgate at the rear. The wheelbase is 26.6 inches with an overall vehicle length of 203 inches.

For the few who can afford it, the base 6-cylinder R350 starts at $48,000 and the R500 V-8 at $55,000. Add desirable options like the Panoramic Roof, a DVD navigation system, entertainment package, automatic air suspension and others and you’ll approach to $80,000.

Inside the roomy cabin you’ll ride in luxury. First and second rows feel like first-class seating on a commercial airliner. The third row affords ample room for two adults. Both back rows fold down to an impressive 85 cubic feet of cargo space. With seats up, cargo space behind the third-row set is minimal at best.

Thanks to really big back doors, getting in and out of the R is remarkably easy. Not so easy if you are in a tight parking space where you’re unable to open them wide enough.

I didn’t like the shape of the dash or its layout for gauges and controls. There are just too many different shapes, weird angles and hard surfaces. I’d rate it no more than average.

There are nice unexpected touches like a built-in bottle/can opener that surrounds the front console cupholders. But I still don’t care for the placement of the cruise control lever that’s too easy to confuse with the nearby turn signal lever. The optional seat controls that adjust side bolsters and other pressures that push into my back and other places are oddly placed at the front of the seat. I never figured how to work all the adjustments.

Our tester included the optional Panoramic Roof, with a sunroof over both the front and second row seats. Fully closed, the glass roof is covered by a thin fabric that lets too much Arizona summer sun pass through to the cabin.

Behind the wheel, the R is quiet and comfortable, and again, drives more like a sedan than a truck or SUV. My R500 tester was downright quick with the kind of acceleration and passing performance found in sport sedans. Mercedes says the R500 will cover zero to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds and the R350 V-6 will do it in 7.8. Mercedes estimates that 70 percent of sales will be the R350 model.

Both models come equipped with the world’s first production seven-speed automatic transmission and it’s a honey — I think the best automatic transmission currently on the market.

Mercedes moved the automatic transmission shift lever from the center console to a small stalk on the right side of the steering column. It works like a turn directional, up for reverse, down for drive and in for park.

The R-Class is equipped with all the safety gear you’d expect in a Mercedes-Benz: front airbags, side-impact bags, and three-row curtain airbags. Second-row side airbags are optional. Antil-lock brakes, stability control and traction control to keep the vehicle from fishtailing on slippery roads are all standard. Crash testing has not yet been completed.

The R is listed at 4845 lbs. for the R350 and 4930 for the R500. On mostly commuting miles, a mix of highway and city driving, the trip computer on my test vehicle showed 13 mpg. The R500 specifies premium unleaded for maximum performance. Regular unleaded is OK but performance will suffer.

Overall, the R-Class is a nice execution of comfort, room, flexible seating and performance. Combining the best features of a sedan, SUV and minivan, the R-Class is innovative. Even though Chrysler Pacifica and Buick Rendezvous did it first, the Mercedes does it much better. Given the steep price, it needs to.