Editor's notes:
Is it an SUV? Is it a really large station wagon? Is it, heaven forfend, a minivan? Though the exterior styling of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class is hard to define, this is a vehicle that should be judged from the inside-out. If you find what you desire on the inside, the exterior can be easily justified. The R-Class reflects Mercedes-Benz' attempt to be first-to-market in the luxury set of vehicles now being dubbed "sports tourers." The folks at Mercedes-Benz believe that the R-Class delivers what upscale families need: luxury, space, utility and performance. Its large range of features include a seven-speed automatic transmission, an all-wheel drive option and a choice of V6 and V8 engines. Other stand-out attributes include the R-Class' remarkably spacious and feature-rich seating for six people and so much cargo space it bests the huge Cadillac Escalade by four inches.

What's significant about this car
Other than the Chrysler Pacifica, there are as of yet no vehicles quite like the R-Class in the U.S. marketplace. From a quality and luxury standpoint, no minivan can compare, and the R-Class is much more passenger-friendly than even the most luxurious SUV. Mercedes-Benz loyalists who need more space than the ML-Class SUV can deliver will find the R-Class that measures an additional 14 inches in length.

You'll like this car if…
If your need for utility is equal to your need for luxury and the thought of driving a vehicle that may be perceived as a minivan doesn't bother you, the R-Class is a vehicle you will want to check out.

You may not like this car if…
If you don't require spacious seating for at least four people on a regular basis with plenty of additional cargo, the R-Class is too much car for you. It's big!

Exterior
The R-Class's front windshield and hood rake steeply rearward, as does the front hood—much like a minivan. There is method to this van-like madness however— it improves the aerodynamics of this heavy 4,845-pound vehicle. The profile is long and sloping with a slightly "chopped-top" retro appearance ala the Dodge Magnum. As you see the vehicle coming down the road, you may think it's a minivan or an SUV, but one thing you'll know is that it's a Mercedes-Benz due to its prominent grille and nameplate branding.

Interior
The interior of the R-Class feels more like a family room than a car. Especially when outfitted with the panoramic sunroof that spans nearly the entire length of the vehicle, the interior space of the R-Class looks and feels downright cavernous. The base vehicle is loaded with eight-way power front seats, birds-eye maple interior trim and fold-flat second and third row seats. 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.

Notable standard and optional equipment
Key standard equipment includes the seven-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, electronic traction system, 17-inch spoke aluminum alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and cruise control. For safety, Mercedes-Benz supplies each R-Class trim with ABS anti-lock brakes, ESP stability control, a rollover sensor, front, door-mounted and window curtain airbags for each of the three rows, seatbelt pretensioners with belt-force limiters, tire-pressure monitoring system and automatic anti-theft alarm. Other standard luxury equipment includes power front seats, easy fold-down second- and third-row seats, four-speaker, 80-watt audio system and a retractable cargo cover. When you choose the R500 model, Mercedes-Benz includes 18-inch five-spoke wheels, heated seats, seat and mirror memory system, adjustable steering column, six-disc CD changer with MP3 capability and Tele Aid.

Options
Options abound on the R-Class. An appearance package includes Alcantara leather interior and 19-inch wheels. Mercedes tells us there is an AMG version to come as well. Other options include bi-xenon curve-illuminating headlights, Harman/Kardon Logic 7 audio system with six-disc CD changer, rear-seat entertainment system, power glass sunroof, power panoramic sunroof w/pop-out rear-quarter windows, keyless-Go starting system, satellite radio, power liftgate, navigation system, multi-contour seats, heated front seats, heated second-row seats, auto dimming mirrors, wood-leather steering wheel and iPod integration kit.

Pricing notes
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class R350 V6 equipped with seven-speed automatic transmission has a manufacturer's suggested list price of $48,000, while the V8 equipped R500 starts at $55,500. Both versions are well-equipped. New Car Blue Book Prices that represent prices consumers are actually paying can differ substantially, so click on New Car Blue Book Values to compare. Since there are really no other vehicles in this segment and class, you might want to compare the R-Class price to a large SUV like the Lexus GX470 that comes in V8 only and starts at $47,185. The R-Class most resembles is the Chrysler Pacifica, which starts at $28,295 but the Chrysler doesn't hold a candle to the R-Class in prestige or features.

Driving impressions
The 5.0-liter single-overhead-cam V8 powering the R500 partnered with Mercedes' full-time all-wheel-drive system and the new seven-speed automatic transmission creates the most spirited and stable driving experience of the available combinations. We found that even on winding roads, the R-Class smoothly swayed through the turns without a hint of engine strain. The seven-speed transmission shifts upward effortlessly and there's enough power in the V8 to sprint straight up a hill if necessary. Like many Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the R-Class has both Sport and Comfort suspension settings, and we found the Sport setting quite pleasing and agile. Stopping this heavy vehicle is also no problem with its 13.8-inch front rotors and standard ABS and BrakeAssist features. The R-Class also has an excellent turning ratio, making it even easier to maneuver than many SUVs.

Our favorite features
Second-Row "Captain's Chair" Seating
We are quite fond of the second-row seat comfort and space. This is one car that makes the back seat riders as lucky as those in the front.

Panoramic Sunroof
It's nearly six-feet of glass, making the back-seat passengers feel much less "trapped" than in any other vehicle we know.

Under The Hood
The V8 is rated at 302 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 339 lb-ft of torque at 2,700 rpm. The V6 is adequate but we fear a power shortfall when the vehicle is loaded and on an uphill climb.

3.5-liter V6
268 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
258 lb. - ft. of torque @ 2400-5000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: TBD

5.0-liter V8
302 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
339 lb. - ft of torque @ 2700-4750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: TBD