Mercedes-Benz calls its R-class a cross between an MPV and an SUV in that it seats seven and has all-wheel drive.
You could see it as a competitor to seven-seater SUVs such as the Audi Q7 or even its own stablemate, the seven-seater Merc GL, but in reality the R-class has little off-roading pretensions and is more of a rival to people-movers such Chrysler's Grand Voyager and the VW Caravelle.
No other MPV or kombi moves people in quite this much style, however.
There's that Benz badge on the grille for starters and everythingl that goes with it, including palatial leather-and-wood luxury, refinement, and power - making this an ideal vehicle to shuttle VIP groups between the airport and their golf games. Or the ultimate mom's-taxi-cum-family holidaymobile.
Behind the dark-tinted windows (which also come with pull-up shades for those fastidious about privacy), there's a giant cabin with stretch-out space for five adults in the front two rows and a third row that will take adults at a squeeze or a pair of children in comfort.
The R-class is more than 5.2m long, even out-stretching a Grand Voyager or Caravelle.
Versatility's the name of the game; the second and third rows of seats fold flat into the floor to create gargantuan boot space if you also need to take the kitchen sink along.
We took the R500 camping in the Drakensberg over a recent long weekend and with four people aboard and the third row folded it swallowed everything we could stuff into it - luggage bags, tents, fridge, folding chairs, gazebo, the works.
You could just about park a Smart in there.
Merc's new bus comes as either the diesel-powered R320 CDI selling for R640 000 or that petrol R500 at R735 000 - each with a seven-speed semi-automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
We tested the petrol which proved to be a distance-eater par excellence en route to the 'Berg with effortless cruising capability and the ability to overtake extra-long lorries without fuss.
The R500's outstanding feature is its ride quality; it barely feels speed humps or road ruts and wafts along with a ride as smooth as silk sheets, thanks partly to air suspension at the rear.
It used a little more than 13 litres/100km on the freeway, which isn't too bad for a 5.5-litre behemoth although in-town commuting, which we didn't do much of, is likely to make it as thirsty as a drunken sailor.
There are three 12-volt power points which came in handy on our trip for plugging in camping accessories. Also handy was the electrically-opening and closing tailgate - a major convenience on such a trip where you tend to live out of the boot.
You can't call the R-class either pretty or ugly. It's basically a huge rugby ball, the same functionally aerodynamic shape adopted by most MPVs.
There's one major gripe on a practicality level, however: the doors are huge and tend to bash against things when you open them. Rear sliding doors would have been a better option.
The price of peace
The comprehensive features list includes: cruise control with speed limiter, voice control, seat heaters, automatic aircon for the front and back seats and my kids' favourite - optional DVD screens in the front headrests.
They're a pricey R30 000 option, but may be worth it; not once was "Are we there yet?" uttered from the back seat on our three-hour journey to the 'Berg.
The DVD system being optional is understandable but at R735 000 price you'd expect satnav to be standard issue - yet it's another extra-cost luxury.
The all wheel drive aids traction - especially in the wet - and gravel roads are well within its abilities but this is no off-roader. There's no low range and its 130mm ground clearance isn't high enough to tackle really rough stuff.
The R-class is available with optional height-adjustable front air suspension for those planning to tackle tougher turf.
The handling is (predictably) heavy but it made rapid enough progress through the mountain passes we tackled en route to our camping destination. There's good traction at medium-to-swift speeds, but lots of understeer and body roll if you try to pretend it's a racing car.
VERDICT
The Mercedes R500 is a versatile luxury family barge, mega on every front: space, power, luxury, and bragging rights. Great if you can afford it.