SA Roadtests
South Africa
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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Most, but not all, the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.
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Front and inside pics by Motorpress Rearview from Wikimedia Commons
Posted: 23 November 2018
The numbers
Basic price including CO2 tax and VAT: R818 341
Engine: 2298 cc, DOHC, 16-valve, twin-turbo commonrail diesel
Power: 140 kW at 3750 rpm
Torque: 450 Nm between 1500 and 2500 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 11.6 seconds
Maximum speed: 175 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 9.3 l/100 km
Tank: 73 litres
Bin volume: 1 111 litres
Load capacity: 1 002 kg
Maximum braked towing mass: 3 500 kg
Standard tyres: 255/60R18 (street)
Minimum turning circle: 13.4 metres
Ground clearance: 222 mm
Approach / departure / rampover angles: 33.0 / 27.9 / 25.2 degrees
Maximum wading depth: 600 mm
Warranty and maintenance: 6 years / 100 000 km Premium Drive plan
There are similarities and common parts but don’t write Mercedes-Benz’s X-Class pickups off as simply rebadged Nissan Navaras.
That four-cylinder, 2.3-litre diesel was developed jointly by M-B and the Alliance. Mercedes-Benz calls it OM699 DE23 LA, adding an R to denote the “Reduced Power,” variable-geometry, single-turbocharger version used in its X220d. Nissan calls both versions YS23. It boasts aluminium block and cylinder head, with dual overhead camshafts operating 16 valves. Fuel injection is via common rail and it’s Euro 6 emissions-compliant. That means low-sulphur fuel only.
The Mercedes is 70 mm wider for more shoulder and hip room. That extrapolates to a broader bin, allowing users to squeeze a DIN-sized pallet between the wheel arches – just like VW's Amarok. Sharing the same 3150 mm wheelbase, X-Class is also 85 mm longer and stands 11 mm lower. Seven mm of that difference is in ground clearance – 222 mm vs. 229. Comparing like-for-like as closely as we could, the Mercedes is 235 kg heavier.
It has disc brakes at both ends, whereas the Nissan has drums in the back. Most safety equipment is the same but individual items and features differ. Suspension is essentially similar but the X-Class has different settings. That apparently translates as “softer,” but more on that later.
X250d models use Nissan transmissions and 4x4 technology. That means selectable 2Hi, 4Hi and 4Lo with downhill crawl and electronic rear differential lock. It’s extremely competent – don’t forget which manufacturer ruled South African off road racing for eight years in a row (2002 to 2009) before retiring to give others a chance. The just-released X350d boasts all-German engine, gearbox and 4Matic system, so should you feel just a touch xenophobic, find the extra money for one of those.
It’s all-Mercedes inside, apart from what is supposedly the original Nissan shift lever with an M-B logo on top. Some journalists get quite anxious about it. That aside, the cabin looks like almost any other living space from the three-pointed star; subdued faux leather upholstery with contrasting stitch work, the tablet-like screen, the rotating control wheel, the vents, the dash and the instruments. The standard Audio 20 CD outfit with eight speakers provides most of your music and basic connectivity needs, but satnav is extra. Order either Garmin Map Pilot at R14 324 including pre-installation kit or COMAND Online at R26 732.
Some users may miss having shift paddles because manual override is by stick only, with one negative consequence of the added body width being a longer stretch for the lever than you might find comfortable.
Further, being a Mercedes-Benz, the list of available options is extensive. Our test unit was fairly lightweight in that department adding only self-parking with all-round camera at R14 950; aluminium-look interior trim at R1495; a soft tonneau cover at R11 913: a towing hitch at R6 900 (the electrics, with anti-sway control, are built-in) and a Style pack with roof rails, running boards, powered rear cab window and privacy glass at R11 500.
So, how does it drive? The short answer is, “like a pickup truck,” albeit a very comfortable one. Performance isn’t as fast as an AMG but satisfactory, the seven-speed automatic works smoothly and efficiently if not lightning-quick and it’s very stable – a further benefit of the extra width. The only disappointment occurred on moderately rough gravel roads out past the veggie farms. It soaked up ripples quite well but became noticeably bouncy over small potholes. We expected better and suggest that M-B adds Brand N’s optional off road packages to its own price list.
Is it a genuine Mercedes-Benz or just a rebranded Navara? We believe there’s sufficient German DNA to justify the star, but if you insist on brand purity there’s always the X350d.
Test unit from Mercedes-Benz Vans SA press fleet
We also drove an X220d 4x2 manual
Please note that the bin bar, tonneau cover, roof rails and running boards are optional extras
This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.
I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.
If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.
Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles. And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8