Even when new, the R never found its feet. Its initial full-year sales only hit 18,000 units in the U.S., and have struggled to hit one-sixth that number in the last two years. Given its miniscule take rate, you have to wonder why ‘Benz didn’t just pull the plug completely? Obviously, the decision was made to bring the R-Class into the present, if only so it wouldn’t stick out so badly in family pictures.
RESTYLED BUT NOT REINVENTED
Gone is the gaping-wide catfish maw, replaced by a more upright, squared-off schnoz. The alien-abduction headlights are replaced by angular ones that look vaguely Korean. The whole vibe mixes GLK with GMC Terrain. New wheel designs, side mirrors, rear bumper, LED taillights and restyled exhaust cutouts try in vain to modernize the overall package. From the side or rear, it’s unmistakably R. Since Mercedes couldn’t give the originals away, that doesn’t bode well.
Inside, Mercedes-Benz barely tried to spruce things up. It’s still the same ML-derived cabin as before. Anyone who’s driven any of the next-generation products – C-, E-, and CLS-class – will be shocked at the dated electronics and controls. The interior is swathed in big black plastics with only a few strips of wood thrown on the center console and dash to liven it up.
