2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

Sometimes you can slice the pie too thin. When the all-new R-Class showed up on our doorstep, we had high hopes. This was supposed to be a new class of vehicle--one with the traction abilities of an SUV, the versatility of a luxury wagon, and the performance of a sport sedan.

With an all-new platform (stretched and modified from the M-Class and coming G-Class SUVs), the R-Class is really the first vehicle to explore the uncharted territory of the luxury-minivan segment. The luxury part is easy to see once you sit inside and push the high-tech start button on the dash, touch the electronic shifter stalk to "D," and paddle through the world's first seven-speed Touch Shift automatic. All R-Class models are three-row six-seaters, come with all-wheel drive, and offer the choice of a base 24-valve DOHC 3.5-liter V-6 or the 5.0-liter V-8, producing over 300 horsepower and almost 340 pound-feet of torque.

Our tester came with the powerful V-8, gushed over by some judges because of how well it moved the huge and heavy sled (at 5133 pounds, almost 1000 pounds heavier than all other contenders). Surprisingly, 0-to-60-mph times were close to the ML500's at 6.6 seconds. Other highlights include an MP3 player and iPod plug-in, an enormous twin-glass roof option, and enough electronic safety features to keep most people out of trouble. There's even a bottle opener.

But it's when you push the car that the typical Mercedes-Benz driving dynamics don't appear. Even on firm settings, the suspension wallows. Electronic sensors are annoyingly intrusive. Also, the low-geared steering has been dumbed down, providing almost no road feel and little snap back to center. And did we say the MB is expensive? Our topline R-Class, equipped with everything except a rear-seat DVD-player, clocked in at $66,650. Certainly there's a lot of money for a car here, but not a lot of Car of the Year.