Pickup trucks used to be no more than utility vehicles, but not anymore. Through the years, carmakers have equipped pickups more with each generation, and there seems to be no letup to this trend. In fact, the most expensive versions of these workhorses today are pretty luxurious.
No wonder then that even premium car brands saw this market segment as an excellent opportunity to expand their offer. The result came in the form of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class. We’re talking here about an automaker that has never been into pickups.
The only way for the German brand to create such a vehicle without spending billions on development was to borrow a platform from a renowned truck maker. Nissan was the obvious choice, since the two companies have been cooperating and sharing technology for years.
In a nutshell, that was how they made the X-Class. Unfortunately, it didn’t get a warm reception, prompting Mercedes to shelve it after just a couple of years of production.
The First Generation of Mercedes-Benz X-Class (2017-2020)
As mentioned, the X-Class was the company's attempt to bring genuine luxury to the pickup truck segment. The X-Class concept was presented in 2016, with the production model right on its heels a year after.
It didn’t take long for the new pickup to come out because there was Nissan to co-develop and hasten the process. The Japanese manufacturer has an excellent reputation in the world of pickup trucks, and the two companies have worked for a long time. So, this joint venture seemed like a logical solution.
Design
Another reason why Mercedes-Benz chose Nissan as a partner was that the Nissan Navara, on which they based the X-Class, was already way superior compared to rivals in terms of ride quality. In other words, it was a perfect platform for a premium upgrade.
Speaking of the platform, the new Mercedes X-Class was also based on the F-Alpha platform. This architecture has been in use for a very long time, but constant updates have made it competitive even today. Besides various powertrain possibilities, it was also well known for great driving characteristics.
This particularly refers to the suspension setup, as the Navara has been using independent rear suspension for a long time. This is a significant advantage compared to rivals that mostly use leaf springs and other rudimental design solutions.
The German manufacturer took this setup and improved it with an even more refined version, which ensured a smoother ride with almost no body roll.
Naturally, Mercedes came up with an entirely new styling. So, even though the two models share a lot of mechanics, they adopted the German brand’s contemporary design language.
Besides its more stylish appearance, it also featured dimensions that are bigger than Navara. The wheelbase remained the same, but the X-Class came longer, higher, and wider, and had higher ground clearance.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class Specifications
- Wheelbase: 3,150mm
- Length: 5,340mm
- Height: 1,839mm
- Width: 1,916mm
- Ground clearance: 222mm
- Weight: 2,018kg
- Turning circle: 12.8m
- Rear track: 1,632mm
- Front track: 1,632mm
- Front Suspension: Double wishbone
- Rear Suspension: Independent, multi-link
- Brakes: Ventilated discs (front and rear)
Of course, significant changes were made on the inside as well. Nissan's Spartan interior was replaced with a completely new cabin, characterised by finer materials and better sound insulation, with more standard and available equipment. A double cab was the only layout available.
Powertrain
The Mercedes-Benz X-Class debuted on the Australian market in 2017, and the initial version was offered with a 2.3-litre turbodiesel in two output variants and two transmission choices. For the second production year, the company introduced a new 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, with significantly more power and a 7-speed automatic as the only transmission choice.
Base versions came with the X220d badge. Under the hood, this model features a 2.3-litre turbo-four diesel engine (120 kW, 403 Nm). An RWD layout was standard, while a four-wheel drive was offered too. Interestingly, this version was available with a 6-speed manual transmission only.
The same engine was available in the X250d version (140 kW, 450 Nm). Unlike the base version, it was offered with four-wheel drive only, but both 6-speed MT and 7-speed AT were available.
Finally, there is the X350d model, which debuted with the second production year. This version is equipped with a bigger, 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel (190 kW, 550 Nm) with 4-wheel drive and 7-speed AT as standard.
Mercedes-Benz X220d Engine Specs
- Engine Capacity: 2,298cc
- Number of cylinders: 4
- Forced induction: Turbocharger
- Fuel type: Diesel
- Fuel consumption: 7.6L/100km (combined)
- Maximum torque: 403 Nm
- Maximum power: 120 kW
- Max towing capacity: 3200 kg (2WD); 3500 kg (4WD)
- Fuel tank capacity: 80L
Mercedes-Benz X250d Engine Specs
- Engine Capacity: 2,298cc
- Number of cylinders: 4
- Forced induction: Turbocharger
- Fuel type: Diesel
- Fuel consumption: 7.9L/100km (combined)
- Maximum torque: 450 Nm
- Maximum power: 140 kW
- Max towing capacity: 3500 kg
- Fuel tank capacity: 80L
Mercedes-Benz X350d Engine Specs
- Engine Capacity: 2987cc
- Number of cylinders: 6
- Forced induction: Turbocharger
- Fuel type: Diesel
- Fuel consumption: 8.8L/100km (combined)
- Maximum torque: 550Nm
- Maximum power: 190kW
- Max towing capacity: 3500kg
- Fuel tank capacity: 80L
What are the common problems of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class?
The X-Class was discontinued in 2020, so you can only get a used one. That's a good thing because the price is notably lower considering that we’re talking about a premium vehicle that’s still pretty fresh.
Generally, this is a reliable pickup, just like Navara. Keep in mind, however, that the first series was launched only four years ago, so it’s too early to bank on its reliability.
All in all, there are a few things to check when buying a used X-Class:
One of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class problems could be the hydraulic steering system. In 2018 and 2019, more than 6,000 Australian models were recalled due to a possible hydraulic fluid leak from the steering system. So, if you're looking for these model years, make sure that the potential errors are fixed.
There aren't other major problems other than this recall, though a few minor issues have been reported. Some of them refer to trailer stabilisation and child safety lock, to name a few.
Want to sell your X-Class? You can advertise it on our website and find more interested buyers.
Is the Mercedes-Benz X-Class the same as Nissan Navara?
The X-Class is heavily based on Navara, but we wouldn’t say it’s the same vehicle, as there are some pretty big differences.
For example, even though it rides on the same platform and shares most of the mechanics, it still comes with upgraded suspension, which provides better ride quality. The exterior design is completely different. Not only that it follows the brand’s design language, but the proportions are also slightly bigger.
The interior also features significant differences. The dashboard is entirely new, and it looks way more upscale, whether it's about style, materials or build quality. Also, you get a couple of tech features that are not available in Nissan’s workhorse.
Finally, there is the engine lineup. The 2.3-litre turbo-four is the same, but the V6 remained exclusive for the X-Class and can’t be found in any version of Navara or Renault Alaskan (which is also based on Nissan’s pickup truck).
The X-Class features a slightly bigger cargo bed, while the max towing capacity is the same (3,500kg).
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By Nebojsa Grmusa