The new Mercedes-Benz X-Class is as posh as pick-ups get. It has the price tag to go with the badge, but anyone looking for an upmarket workhorse will find the X-Class has a lot going for it.

Its most obvious strength is its practicality. Clearly, a vehicle with a load bay designed to carry loads of over one tonne isn’t going to have much trouble with some bags and camping equipment. There’s also a full-size spare wheel that’s easily accessible, even when the load bay is full.

It makes a reasonably good tow car, too. The engine is strong enough to pull a big twin-axle caravan, provided you’re not in too much of a hurry – the 30-60mph acceleration test took 16.1 seconds.

The X-Class feels quite stable at speed, although it takes while to settle after a short, sharp steering input.

Data from the Al-Ko ATC sensors show the caravan moving from side-to-side when slowing from the motorway limit.

Whether towing or in everyday driving, the X-Class has very heavy steering, but it’s more direct and accurate than most pick ups’. It corners neatly for a vehicle of this kind, but it’s not a patch on most £40k SUVs.

Under the skin, the X-Class is closely related to the Nissan Navara. That’s no bad thing when the Navara is one of the best pick ups on sale. However, it makes it hard to unequivocally recommend the X-Class when the Navara offers similar ability for a whole lot less.