Mercedes-Benz X-Class: Full details revealed

Mercedes-Benz has released full details of its – and Australia’s – first prestige dual-cab ute, which officially goes on sale today.

Priced from $45,540, the Nissan Navara-based Mercedes-Benz X-Class is available in no fewer than 13 model variants.

Initially, the lux’ed-up hay-hauler is offered with the choice of three trim grades, two four-cylinder diesel engines, pick-up and tray body options, automatic and manual transmissions, and both rear and four-wheel drive.

Sharing its engine options with the Navara, the Mercedes-Benz X-Class range comprises single- and twin-turbocharged 2.3-litre diesel units, badged as X 220d and X 250d respectively.

Outputs are rated at 120kW/403Nm and 140kW/450Nm respectively, with the base engine paired exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission.

A seven-speed automatic is available for the X 250d, which is fitted as standard with switchable four-wheel drive.

A gutsier X-Class (190kW/550Nm) is due later in the year, and will arrive as the only V6-powered dual-cab ute in Australia to offer low-range four-wheel drive.

See our first Australian drive review for more details on the X-Class’ mechanicals, specifications and performance.

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class is available in PURE, PROGRESSIVE and POWER equipment grades, which are designed to suit trade/rural, multi-purpose and lifestyle buyers respectively.

Entry-level PURE grades comprise black plastic bumpers and door-handles, which Mercedes-Benz says highlights the variant’s suitability to rugged and functional use.

The Mercedes-Benz X 220d PURE (from $45,540) is also equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, halogen headlights, cloth upholstery, plastic flooring, a reversing camera (on tray-style bodies only), manually-adjustable seats, air-conditioning and a 7.0-inch TFT screen matched to two speakers and Bluetooth telephony.

Mercedes-Benz offers a Plus Package ($1300) for PURE models that includes PARKTRONIC parking sensors and an adjustable load rail system for the tray, or a Winter Package ($590) with heated seats and washer nozzles.

Stepping up to the mid-spec X 250d PROGRESSIVE (from $53,950) brings body-colour bumpers and door-handles, 17-inch alloys, rain-sensing wipers, satellite-navigation, carpeted floors and an electrochromatic (self-dimming) rear-view mirror.

The mid-tier variant is further offered with an eight-speaker audio system with touchpad controller, and additional cabin trim garnishes in a faux aluminium finish, and is available with 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

Four option packages are available for the PROGRESSIVE model line, bringing it close to its top-tier POWER sibling.

The Comfort Package ($2490) adds electrically-adjustable seats in man-made leather and suede, climate control and a stowage net in the front passenger foot-well; while the Style Package ($3750) brings LED headlights and tail-lights, an electrically-opening rear window, tinted windows, side steps, roof rails and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The PROGRESSIVE range is also available with a Parking Package ($1750) comprising parking sensors and a 360-degree camera, or a Winter Package ($590) with heated seats and washer nozzles.

Finally, the top-shelf Mercedes-Benz X 250d POWER variant (from $61,660) comes loaded with all the fruit.

In addition to those features listed for the PROGRESSIVE it includes as standard LED headlights and tail-lights, chromed bumpers and trim garnishes, 18-inch alloy wheels, man-made leather and suede upholstery, keyless entry and ignition, and dual-zone climate-control.

The POWER grade also adds a 360-degree camera, adjustable load rails in the tray, parking sensors front and rear, leather-clad steering wheel, gearshift knob, and handbrake sleeve and Mercedes-Benz COMAND online infotainment array with 8.0-inch screen.

Option packages for the X 250d POWER extend to the Winter Package offered on PURE and PROGRESSIVE variants ($590) and a Style Package ($2490) that adds an electrically-opening rear window, tinted glass, side steps, roof rails and 19-inch alloy wheels.

All Mercedes-Benz X-Class variants are available with myriad paint and upholstery selections, additional trim garnishes, larger diameter alloy wheels, badge deletion options, and COMAND.

Black roof trim and digital radio are also available as options, making the X-Class range the most customisable in its segment.

Of course, no dual-cab ute is complete without accessories and Mercedes-Benz has plenty to offer. A 3500kg tow kit (with 350kg down ball rating) is available from $2063 fitted, including electric trailer brake controller and wiring.

There are also three canopies to choose from ($4945-$5609), under-body protection ($1312), side steps ($1337) and a styling bar in silver or black ($1551).

Multiple cargo area accessories are also available, including a bed liner ($899), hard cover ($3020), soft cover ($1040), roll cover ($3295), storage box ($1169), load bed divider ($831), dampened tailgate ($495), washer and dust kit ($479), cargo rails ($985) and sliding floor ($2085).

Metallic paint attracts a $950 premium across the range.

All variants offer seven airbags as standard, plus autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistant, active brake assist and tyre-pressure monitoring.

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class scores a full five-star ANCAP safety rating (2017), making it the only dual-cab ute on the market to achieve top marks under the new ANCAP test regime.

The new 2018 Mercedes-Benz X-Class range is in dealerships from today.