2020 Mercedes-Benz X-class

Mercedes-Benz X-class

Mercedes-Benz’s X-Class tried to carve out a space for bakkie buyers who wanted more than the usual, but still needed a practical load bed for real work. It’s a rare bird, competing with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, Toyota Hilux Legend, and Volkswagen Amarok, though the last one is its real sparring partner if you’re talking premium feel. Diesel remains the common thread — 220d, 250d, and 350d engines, with both manual and auto boxes to pick from, at least on paper. Yet with only three live listings from R399,995 to R499,900, you’re not exactly spoiled for choice. Hunting for the right spec? You’ll need patience and a bit of luck, because the X-Class is niche to the point of scarcity. All the cars floating around are used, 2019 or 2020 models, and they’ve put in the work — average mileage is a chunky 143,196 km, so if you’re looking at an auto, give that 7G-Tronic box a proper once-over. R419,900 gets you an X350d 4MATIC POWER, while the X250d 4MATIC Power at R499,900 is for those chasing the full Mercedes badge treatment. If you just want in, the X220d Progressive at R399,995 is your ticket. The main draw for South Africans was always the cabin — closer to a GLE than a workhorse Navara — and that matters if you care about how a bakkie feels on a Jo’burg commute. Ranger and Hilux? They’ll always have the upper hand on parts and dealer support, but they can’t touch the X-Class’s cabin experience, and that’s the point.