R350 Bluetec in the Market

One look at Mercedes' 2010 sales numbers is all you need to understand the R-Class' niche status. In a year when the automaker's midsize M-Class and full-size GL-Class SUVs sold around 30,000 and 20,000 copies, respectively, approximately 3,000 R-Class models left the lot. It's a stark example of the SUV's staying power in the U.S. market.

That said, if you're considering a luxury SUV but might be willing to step outside the SUV box, you'll probably find more to like in the R-Class than you think. It's an eminently sensible SUV alternative — especially if you never venture off-road.

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    Switching on/off
    The three blue indicator lamps in the buttons indicate the ventilation level you have selected. If the battery voltage is too low, the seat ventilation may switch off. ► Make sure that ...

    Swiveling the COMAND display and setting the brightness
    You can swivel the COMAND display. The buttons are located beside the COMAND display. Swiveling Swiveling 1 To swivel the display to the left 2 To swivel the display to the right Setting ...

    Opening and closing
    Overhead control panel 1 To open 2 To open 3 To close Turn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2 in the ignition lock. Press or pull the switch in the corresponding direction. If you press ...