The new Mercedes X-Class is making waves in the pick-up sector, as we found out in our first group test last May. It brought comfort levels more akin to an SUV, without sacrificing its workhorse credentials. Now there鈥檚 a new model with even more grunt. This X 350 d has a powerful V6 and sits above the four-cylinder version we tested previously. To match it there鈥檚 also a new challenger from Volkswagen. The Amarok has been given a more potent V6 to match the Mercedes鈥? Both models have the same power output and cost more than 拢47,000, so are the priciest, most premium pick-ups around. But which monster truck is the better buy? This new X-Class and the high-spec Amarok offer something a bit different to most other pick-up trucks. They are designed to appeal to buyers looking for a bit more luxury and quality, without sacrificing the versatility and practicality of a truck. This Mercedes X 350 d V6 adds to that appeal with effortless performance. While the engine revs smoothly, it鈥檚 surprisingly noisy.
The X-Class鈥檚 V6 makes less of a racket at idle, but the motor is actually louder than the Volkswagen鈥檚 on the move, particularly if the transmission shifts down and flares up the revs. The new seven-speed automatic box is a weak point, too, because it鈥檚 slow to respond. This is most noticeable at a junction where you鈥檝e slowed down and need to speed up again quickly. The gearbox takes much longer than the VW鈥檚 unit to change down, or to transmit power when pulling away. With one fewer ratio than its rival, the Mercedes fell behind in our performance tests as well. It took four seconds to go from 30-50mph in fourth gear, 1.6 seconds behind the Volkswagen, and 9.7 seconds to cover 50-70mph in seventh, which was 3.3 seconds adrift of the Amarok. That鈥檚 not to say it鈥檚 slow, however; both of these high-powered trucks deliver an impressive turn of speed, but it鈥檚 the in-gear torque which will be the biggest benefit when filled with a payload. We recorded a 0-60mph time of just 7.5 seconds in the X 350 d, half a second slower than the Amarok.
Trucks like these often struggle to control their weight because their suspension set-up is designed to maximise payload, but Mercedes has managed to provide a carrying capacity of 1,067kg without adversely affecting the quality of the ride. It鈥檚 not night and day next to the Amarok, which is also among the better-riding trucks, but the X-Class certainly has the edge for comfort. It doesn鈥檛 skip and shuffle over bumps as much as the VW, and the rear end isn鈥檛 as juddery with an empty bed. The Mercedes is more car-like to drive than the Amarok, and the extra composure means it鈥檚 a refined cruiser. But neither model is that sharp to drive. There are more soft-touch plastics on the dash top and doors of the X-Class than in the VW, along with metal-effect trim to make the inside look more like the brand鈥檚 car range. However, this stemmed from our test model鈥檚 pricey 拢1,098 leather interior package option, plus Mercedes鈥?8.4-inch COMAND infotainment, at a steep 拢2,748.
Top-spec Power trim brings a reversing camera, cruise control, electric seats, climate control and man-made leather upholstery as standard. 鈥?Infotainment: Optional sat-nav system in X-Class comes from older-generation Mercedes cars. 鈥?Storage: There鈥檚 no obvious place to put your phone, other than in the cup-holder. As with the X-Class, the Amarok is only available as a double-cab truck, but unlike its rival, the Volkswagen comes exclusively with V6 engines. While there are three outputs, the Aventura is only offered with the most powerful 254bhp model we鈥檙e testing; this also exclusively features an eight-speed automatic gearbox and permanent four-wheel drive. The transmission is as smooth as the Mercedes鈥?seven-speed in auto mode, yet it shifts up and down more quickly when needed. Thanks to the extra gear, VW was able to shorten each ratio in turn, which boosts the V6鈥檚 performance further. The 254bhp, 580Nm unit is incredible. It took the Amarok from 0-60mph in seven seconds, half a second faster than its rival (and, amazingly, quicker than a Ford Fiesta ST).
The VW clocked 2.5 seconds from 30-50mph in third gear, and in fourth gear it needed just 2.4 seconds to do the same sprint, which demonstrates just how torquey this engine is. That ability will help with pulling heavy loads, aiding flexibility. The X-Class took 3.0 and 4.0 seconds respectively. On the move the VW鈥檚 V6 is quieter, too. It鈥檚 less harsh and you can keep it in a higher gear more of the time and make use of the low-down grunt. The Amarok has a traditional ladder chassis and leaf-spring rear suspension, so it tends to shudder and crash if you don鈥檛 have anything in the load bay. While the movement of the suspension is more noticeable on a country road than in its rival, the VW isn鈥檛 uncomfortable and it鈥檚 only a little behind the X-Class鈥檚 cruising refinement on the motorway. It鈥檚 a bit easier to drive, too, because the Amarok has better forward visibility and lighter steering than the Mercedes.
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