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The R350 offers the seating of a minivan, with the 4WD technology of an SUV, in a vehicle that handles like a car
Pinaki Chakravarty

While individuality has always been hyped as coolest, the duller fact is that it takes teamwork to get anywhere. So while our most iconic automobile images are frequently of coupes and muscle cars populated by a single individual, economic sense is made when we fill them up with more than could have got onto a motorcycle instead.

In a world increasingly devoid of fossil fuel, we have made our engines more efficient, made the salad cool, and have begun to hate the SUV almost as much as we love it. Which might be a good thing, because we've always bought them for the wrong reasons. Most aren't driven further off the road than the neighbourhood pavement, and they aren't as safe for the family as their commanding driving position might lull us into thinking. SUVs aren't meant for speed, which means their brakes aren't as good as something more roadworthy. And their high ground clearance pushes their centre of gravity high enough to be of concern around corners. Finally, the last nail in the coffin is this: if you aren't using them for what they're meant for, how do you justify the resources you have to shovel down their collective throats?

And that's where the crossover vehicle comes in, bridging the best of both worlds. The new R-Class is one such effort by Mercedes-Benz. A lot of people build crossover vehicles today, so the presence of a new range isn't particularly earth shattering. But what is remarkable is that the oldest carmaker in the world is still nimble enough to hit an automotive dartboard spot on. Most surprising is how a classy icon like Mercedes-Benz has the gumption to dive into the domestic commonality of the car pool lane. But you have to hand it to them – they've actually made the shared ride something of a status symbol. The three pointed star still flies high.

So what exactly is the R? Some say it is a bit like the old tale of the blind men and the elephant. Like the elephant, the R is similar to a lot of things if you focus on parts of it individually. But it is, in its entirety, unlike anything else on the road. Which is a good thing, because a lot of things on the road could do with a fresh thought of paint. Especially SUVs.

Dumbing it down, the R offers the seating of a minivan, with the 4WD technology of an SUV, in a vehicle that handles like a car. Which sounds near perfect in a complicated sort of way. And why not? Deep down, we all want an R. Being a Mercedes makes it even better.

It also buys you the privilege of things far away from other people-movers. One of the simplest and best things about this vehicle is that everyone has an individual bucket seat – just look behind. Once the privilege of the driver and the co-driver, individual comfort is spread evenly over all three rows.

The R does even better under the hood – it has more gear ratios than it can hold people. Such number crunching means that those ratios are more closely spaced, which means more fuel efficiency and a smoother drive. Seven forward choices have been simplified into a simple automatic gearshift control: tap it up to reverse, down to drive and into it to park.

You have permanent four wheel drive, but think of it as an additional feature for your inter-city trips rather than a licence to bounce through wadis. While you might not be willing to ram RO26,500 worth of metal, leather and electronics through Oman's wilderness, it is good to know that the Mercedes is trying. Enter their adaptive damping system, with its air filled elements housed in the suspension struts. At speeds above 120km (and we presume you won't break this country-wide limit), the body lowers itself automatically, cutting down on wind resistance and the extra fuel you'd need to overcome it. This 'airmatic' can also raise the body up 50mm to negotiate poor road surfaces.

The R will continue to impress you with everything a company like DaimlerChrysler can throw at you. An optional system will get the headlights to swivel, following your steering movements. The cornering light is triggered automatically at speeds up to 40kmph when you put on your indicators, or take a tight turn. This is in addition to the usual bells and whistles, like electronic stability programme, brake assist and acceleration skid control. Opt for their safety system that prepares you for a crash the moment you slam on the brakes. When sensors identify a crucial situation, driver and front passenger seatbelts are tensioned instantly, the front passenger seat is adjusted to a safer position and the sunroof is closed. If the danger passes, everything returns to its previous setting.

So should you buy the R? Sure - why buy an SUV, minivan or car when you can have everything in one? Of course it's a compro-mise, but then again, some of the best business deals are.