Premium, refined and composed – not the normal adjectives for a ute but Damien O’Carroll reports that they fit the X-Class.

But here's the thing with that – while the top offerings are certainly premium, the X-Class will also do duty as a proper workhorse, with a basic, stripped out version also being offered.

It will initially come to New Zealand in three guises, with Pure, Progressive and Power models available.

The Pure model is the rugged workhorse of the range starting at $53,300 and is available with either the 120kW or 140kW engine.

The 120kW Pure is available in either 2WD or 4WD with a six-speed manual transmission, while the 140kW Pure is 4WD only and is available with either the manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The Pure really is a pure workhorse, with things like black bumpers, 17-inch steel wheels and plastic floor coverings being standard.

The Pure also comes standard with manual air conditioning, a backing camera, electric mirrors and halogen headlights.

An optional “Plus Package” adds a parking assist package and load securing rails on the deck floor (the basic Pure comes standard with load securing rings in each corner).

The Progressive ups the spec game considerably and is only available with the 140kW engine and a choice of the six-speed manual or seven-speed auto priced from $59,300.

The Progressive adds painted front and rear bumpers, carpeted floors, 17-inch alloy wheels, rain sensing wipers, satellite navigation, a leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever, aluminium door sill panels, an eight speaker audio system, a chromatic rear view mirror with an integrated compass and load securing rails.

The Power is the high-spec townie ute of the range and is only available with the 140kW engine and a choice of the manual or automatic shifters priced from $66,200.

The Power comes standard with all of the Progressive’s equipment, but adds chrome exterior highlights (including the rear bumper and front underbody panelling), 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated mirrors, an Artico upholstered dash with contrasting stitching, electrically adjustable Artico/cloth seating, Mercedes’ COMAND multimedia and navigation system, dual zone climate control, a 360 degree camera, a parking assist system and keyless entry and start.

While the initial offerings are all powered by the Renault-derived engines that the X-Class shares with the Nissan Navara, a proper Mercedes-powered diesel V6 version will be arriving later next year.

The V6 Diesel engine comes straight out of the passenger car range (although it does also feature across the light commercial range) and will be hooked up to a Mercedes-Benz seven-speed automatic transmission as well.

The V6 will also get the full Dynamic Select system from Mercedes’ SUV offerings with comfort, eco, sport, manual and off-road settings and, for the first time in a Daimler product a low ratio transmission that can be changed while on the move – you only have to be travelling less than 30km/h, drop the transmission into neutral and twist the rotary dial. Doing the reverse under 70km/h will drop it back into high again.

We only got to drive a X 250d Power (the top spec of what will initially be available) on the international launch in Chile, and it was a remarkably refined thing that was startlingly quiet, with the only real noise coming from the wind around the wing mirrors.

While there was a lingering hint of a traditional ute ride around town, crank the speed up and the composure and refinement also increases, with a well-sorted SUV style ride and handling becoming the predominant trait.

Off road, the X-Class is equally impressive, refined and composed. The 4WD system is delightfully simple to use, dropping effortlessly into 4WD high on the fly, while stopping and dropping it into low with a further push and twist of the rotary selector is almost instantaneous.

The 140kW 2.3-litre engine in the X 250d was adequate, without being as overly impressive. With a hint of turbo lag and a slight sluggishness on the transmission’s part to kick down, it does lack the Ranger’s big mid-range punch and insistence off the line, but it also lacks the Ranger’s intrusive coarse bellow and is, again, incredibly refined for the segment.

The interior is a mixed bag, with superbly comfortable seats (across a range of spec levels and different upholstery), a nicely detailed dash and centre console and the touchpad and rotary dial out of the company’s sedans to control the infotainment system.

However, there were a few disappointments, like the shiny black plastic air vents that were cheap looking and fitted poorly with the dash.

It would be nice if the hydraulic steering was a bit faster and packed more feel (it is still a very good set-up though), the steering wheel lacks reach adjustment (which is a very disappointing oversight) and the rear seats, while impressively comfortable, are too high for taller passengers.

However, none of these slight disappointments in any way lessens the impact the X-Class will have on the ute segment. Simply put, it will redefine what we will expect in terms of ride, handling and refinement in a ute.