Added: 15th of September 2018
Our requirements were high quality to last us for 10 years, automatic, estate, heavy and powerful enough to tow a large caravan safely, comfort for every passenger, slide in seating (no climbing up or bending down to enter), and room for the dog at the back. In fact it has more than met our specification, with All Wheel Drive and fully comfortable seating for 6. It was also under £20,000 when we bought it in 2016; good value. Performance is smooth and effortless, good on corners unless you think you're driving a super-mini and it is the easiest car I've had to parallel park - the front and rear audio and visual sensors are utterly reliable. Fuel consumption is better than our previous BMW 525, road tax about the same but insurance is higher. Servicing at an independent specialist is slightly less than the BMW. All in all, I'm really very smug to have found such a suitable vehicle.
Added: 11th of October 2016
Big, bouncy (in sport mode), quick and odd! If a 4x4 is too 4x4, MPV not bling enough and an estate not quite big enough then this is the thing for you. It's all of above. In a straight line it's great, corners can be a little brown cords and bicycle clips if taken with gusto. Find an SE model with everything but make sure it has 19" alloys as it just doesn't look stylish with 17" ones.
Added: 13th of October 2013
Overall very happy, superbly capable comfortable long distance cruise - totally under rated in press. Expensive on fuel & difficult to park because of size and "Mercedes Command" Sat-Nav and I-Pod integration very disapointing
Added: 11th of October 2013
Early model with small but perfectly adequate engine. High running costs accepted in view capacity, practicality and comfort, especially on longer journeys in France.
