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3 Mar, 2019 11:00am Kim Adams

First report: We swap to Mercedes X 350 d version of the X-Class to see what the V6 diesel version of the posh pick-up is like to live with

Mileage: 2,265
Economy: 27.2mpg

Our Mercedes X-Class has been brilliant so far. It brings a new level of comfort to proven pick-up practicality, and its departure would normally mean a sense of loss. But while our four-cylinder X 250 d is now gone, I’m going to be running the V6-powered X 350 d instead.

Right to the end, the X 250 d continued to impress, particularly with its compliant ride and effortless towing. I don’t suppose the big pick-up was too popular with my neighbours, although some were happy to take advantage of its large load bay. The last trip to the dump was to ditch a huge metal office cupboard – much easier to transport in a tough plastic-lined load bay than in an easily scuffed SUV interior.

• Best pick-up trucks on sale

We’ve only notched up a few hundred miles in its replacement, which was handed over by sales exec Craig Guzzardi at the Orwell Van Centre, near Ipswich, Suffolk, but initial impressions are that the X 350 d is another step up in refinement. The big story is that the Nissan-derived four-cylinder diesel has made way for the 254bhp V6 turbo that used to feature in Mercedes’ car range. Also new is the 7G-Tronic Plus transmission, which uses permanent four-wheel drive rather than a selectable set-up.

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The box is a bit slow off the mark, but changes smoothly, and although the engine is quieter at speed than the X 250 d’s, it’s gruffer under load. We’ve also gone up a step in trim, because Power spec is now only available in the V6. The leather trim is a welcome improvement and we like the bigger 8.4-inch screen of the COMAND Online infotainment, too.

Of course, there has been a shift up in price as well, with our X 350 d costing a hefty £47,412. We’ll find out if it can justify that price tag over the next few months, and also see how the V6 compares in daily use.

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The powerful V6 engine takes our new X-Class above its commercial roots, although we’re not sure about the accompanying gearbox yet. This more expensive model doesn’t sacrifice practicality, either, and we’re still getting plenty of use out of the large load bay.

• Model: Mercedes X 350 d V6 4MATIC Power
• On fleet since: January 2019
• Price new: £47,412

• Engine: 3.0-litre V6 diesel, 254bhp
• CO2/ tax: 237g/km/£240
• Mileage/mpg: 2,265/ 27.2mpg

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