V6-powered 350d joins Mercedes X-Class range

The Mercedes X-Class pickup truck – billed as the first-ever pickup from a premium manufacturer – is now available in its ultimate X 350d form.

X-Class buyers can choose a 161bhp X 220d or a 188bhp X 250d, both of which use the same 2.3-litre diesel engine as the Nissan Navara and Renault Alaskan pickups, which are closely related to the Mercedes X-Class under the skin. Only the X-Class is available with 254bhp 3.0-litre diesel power, though, courtesy of Mercedes' well proven V6.

Best pickups you can buy today

Every X-Class sold in the UK will be a double cab, with four doors and front and rear seats, as well as 4MATIC selectable four-wheel drive as standard, with a low-range mode. Three trim levels (Pure, Progressive and Power) are available, with the X 350d offered only in range-topping Power form.

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All versions of X-Class apart from the X 350d are capable of carrying up to 1.1 tonnes in a pickup load bay that can accommodate an industry-standard Euro pallet, and they can tow up to 3.5 tonnes. The X-Class also qualifies as a commercial vehicle, giving it favourable tax rates.

While a pickup truck may at first seem to sit oddly in the range of a carmaker that also builds the Maybach S 650, Mercedes’ significant presence in the commercial vehicle market, coupled with the growing popularity of pickups, means the new X-Class is a logical progression for the brand.

Mercedes X-Class design

The X-Class was first shown as the Concept X-Class late last year and it’s lost little of its presence in the transition from concept to production model. Viewed side-on, its pickup pedigree is clear to see, but from the front the huge radiator grille and three-pointed star leave its provenance in no doubt.

Under its bodywork, the X-Class shares its fundamental mechanicals with the Nissan Navara, which we rate as one of the best pickup trucks you can buy today. There are few similarities inside, though, where the Mercedes has an upmarket look all of its own. Stylish rotary air vents are similar to those found in the brand's luxury saloons, and you'll find the same seven-inch infotainment system as fitted to the Mercedes V-Class, complete with Garmin sat nav.

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All three trim levels are generously equipped. Entry-level Pure trucks get 17-inch steel wheels, LED lights for the load bed, power-adjustable wing mirrors and air-conditioning. Pure is only available with the 220d engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. while For around £3,500 more, Progressive adds in a leather steering wheel, alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers, automatic wipers, load-bed storage rails and a compass in the rear-view mirror.

For another £3,500, the top-spec Power model comes with synthetic leather seats, 18-inch alloys, keyless go, power-adjustable front seats, LED headlights and keyless start. It’s only available with the 250d and 350d engines. The X-Class will also be able to communicate with a smartphone app, which will relay the truck’s location, as well as information about the amount of fuel in its tank.

Options include styling bars for load bay, as well as soft and hard tonneau covers and a full canopy cover, which Mercedes says makes the X-Class “look like an SUV”. Customers will also be able to specify reversing and 360-degree cameras, as well as a driving selector with Comfort, ECO, Sport, Manual and Offroad modes. Oh, and the company will even leave off the X-Class’ rear bumper if you ask, allowing the tailgate to swing open 180 degrees instead of the standard 90 degrees.

Mercedes is also offering seven option packs, with the Style Package adding tinted glass, LED exterior lights, electric rear windows, running boards, roof rails and 18-inch wheels to the Progressive trim for £2,190. The more generously equipped Power gets a slimmed-down version of the option pack for £1,345, but this includes a boost in wheel size to 19 inches. All prices exclude VAT.

The Winter Package is likely to be popular, adding heated seats and heated washer jets for around £350. For those who plan on spending lots of time off-road, the X-Class' ground clearance can be increased by 20mm for just over £200, while a locking rear differential is £500.

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Mercedes X-Class review

We’ve now driven the Mercedes X-Class, so you can read our full review. Our testers found its 2.3-litre diesel engine felt muscular and its handling was pretty impressive for a pickup, while the 3.0-litre diesel offers more power than most drivers will need in a vehicle of this type.

Mercedes X-Class prices

The Mercedes X-Class is on sale now, with X 220d priced from £27,310 (excluding VAT) in Pure trim, increasing to £28,510 in Progressive and £30,510 in the same trim with more power and an automatic gearbox. The more powerful X 250d will set you back £29,310 in Pure form, £30,510 for the Progressive and £34,100 in Power trim. The range-topping X 350d starts at £38,350 plus VAT.