Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific has announced pricing and specification details for its initial X-Class line-up this week, with four-cylinder variants ranging from $45,450 to $64,500 before on-road costs.

Comparatively, the four-cylinder variants of the X-Class' closest rival, the Volkswagen Amarok, range in price from $38,490 to $50,490, making the Mercedes between $6960 and $14,010 dearer.

Launching in April next year with 13 variants, the X-Class will be available across three grades – entry-level Pure, mid-spec Progressive and flagship Power – with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission.

Offered exclusively as a dual-cab, the German hauler will have either a pick-up or cab chassis body style in the Pure and Progressive grades, while the Power will only be available in pick-up form.

The X-Class will initially be offered with two 2.3-litre four-cylinder diesel engines – a single-turbo X220d with 120kW/403Nm or a twin-turbo X250d with 140kW/450Nm – while a 190kW/550Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, dubbed X350d, will join the range in mid-2018.

The manual-only X220d will be available exclusively in the Pure grade across three variants, either body style with a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) set-up and a pick-up with a part-time '4Matic' all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.

The remaining 10 variants in the line-up will come with the X250d powerplant and '4Matic' set-up as standard, including the choice of a cab chassis or pick-up paired to a manual or automatic in the Pure and Progressive grades.

When it arrives, the automatic-only X350d will be offered exclusively with a permanent '4Matic' system in the Progressive and Power grades. It is unclear if the X350d Progressive will offer both body styles or be pick-up-only like the X350d Power.

Pure variants ($45,450 to $55,300) will come standard with black bumpers, 17-inch steel wheels, power-adjustable side mirrors, 'High-gloss Black' ventilation outlets, black 'Tunja' fabric upholstery, reversing camera (pick-up only), plastic floor covering, 7.0-inch 'Audio 20 CD' multimedia system, two-way front and rear speakers, air-conditioning, tyre pressure monitoring, seven airbags, active brake assist and lane keeping assist.

An optional 'Plus Package' for Pures will cost $1300 and consist of park assist and adjustable load-securing rails for the load bed.

Progressive variants ($53,950 to $57,800) will further add body-colour bumpers, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, heat-insulated windscreen, rain-sensing wipers, Garmin satellite navigation, carpeted floor covering, black grained instrument panel, 'Silver Shadow' ventilation outlets, black 'Posadas' fabric upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear shifter and handbrake lever; aluminium door sill panels, eight-speaker sound system and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

This grade can be enhanced with three options packages, with the $2490 'Comfort Package' including power front seats with lumbar support, dual-zone climate control and artificial 'Artico' leather/'Dinamica' microfibre upholstery, while the $3750 'Style Package' features LED head- and tail-lights, power rear window, tinted rear windows, side running boards, roof rails and 18-inch alloy wheels. Meanwhile, the $1750 'Parking Package' will offer park assist and 360-degree cameras.

Stepping up to Power variants ($61,600 to $64,500) will extend standard equipment levels to chrome-accented bumpers, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED head- and tail-lights, power-folding side mirrors, 'Artico'-trimmed instrument panel with contrast stitching, 'Artico'/'Dinamica' upholstery, 8.4-inch 'Comand Online' multimedia system, power front seats with lumbar support, 360-degree cameras, park assist, dual-zone climate control and keyless entry/start.

The Power variants adds 'Artico'-trimmed instrument panel with contrast stitching.

A $2490 'Style Package' for Power variants will add a power rear window, tinted rear windows, side running boards, roof rails and 19-inch alloy wheels.

All three grades will be available with a $590 'Winter Package' that includes heated front seats and heated washer nozzles.

The automatic transmission will attract a $2900 premium over the manual gearbox for all X250d variants, while the pick-up body style increases the cost of Pure and Progressive variants by $950. Additionally, metallic paint will also be a $950 option.

From launch, Mercedes-Benz will offer several accessories, including a styling bar, side bar, canopy and covers, as well as other cargo- and off-road-related enhancements.

Measuring in at 5340mm long, 1920mm wide and 1819mm tall, the X-Class has a payload of up to 1.1 tonnes and a braked towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes.

Every variant will come with a coil-sprung suspension set-up, consisting of a double-wishbone front axle and a multi-link solid rear axle, with a rear differential lock standard on '4Matic' versions.

Will the Mercedes-Benz X-Class be able to justify its premium price? Tell us what you think in the comments below.