Glad to see the X Class doing so well in this performance test, only falling slightly behind that of its competitors. Doesn't look like MB has had to sacrifice much performance for the luxury that's to be found in this new model.
Mercedes X-Class Passes Dreaded Moose Test
Those up North will understand just how fearsome those hooved trains can be and hitting one should be avoided when possible. But that's dependent on your vehicle's capability as well, thus the dreaded evasive maneuver test colloquially known as the moose or elk test. Something the Mercedes X-Class passed with flying colors.
The term was coined in 1997 by a German newspaper after the Swedish motor magazine Teknikens Värld managed to flip a Mercedes-Benz A-Class while they were trying to avoid hitting an imaginary moose. This same test was something that the Toyota Hilux failed to pass back in 2016 while the Mercedes-Benz Class X performed to satisfaction.
In theory, an animal like a moose will continue to cross the road instead of stopping or turning around when traffic approaches. Drivers are advised to brake hard and swerve behind the animal before continuing. The Toyota Hilux pickup almost flipped over when it tried to preform the maneuver at just 60 km/h (37 mph).
In the video, the Mercedes X-Class was able easily make that swerve without knocking over any cones at speeds of 69 km/h (43 mph). That's a bit slower than other tested pickups like the Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi L200, both able to cleanly maneuver the course at 70 km/h (44 mph). But the X-Class was praised for its predictable reaction and ease of control, which should make up for that single cone shortcoming at 70 and 75 km/h.
