MAKE no mistake, the arrival of the Mercedes X-Class is one of the biggest moments on the 2018 motoring calendar given it heralds the entrance of the prestige market leader into the incredibly popular 4x4 dual-cab one-tonne utility segment.

That Mercedes has also decided to get a piece of the action as quickly as possible by forging a partnership with Nissan (and Renault) for its donor vehicle – the current D23 Navara launched in 2015 and upgraded twice for the Australian market since then – also makes this a significant marker for the German luxury vehicle manufacturer, which is considered by consumers as a cut above the rest with its commercial vehicles and does not want to be seen, whether real or imagined, as having compromised its brand integrity.

The famous three-pointed star badge will alone guarantee a strong surge of X-Class sales from buyers faithful to the brand, but has Mercedes done enough to draw interest from Australians who have owned utes from other brands over many years and need a compelling argument to make the switch?