GREENOUGH, Montana—Introduced in 1997, the first Mercedes-Benz M-Class was one of the first mid-size luxury SUVs on the market, a segment that has grown substantially since then and has become very competitive.
There’s nothing wrong with the current ML. However, rivals like the Acura MDX, BMW X5, Lexus RX and Porsche Cayenne are raising the bar every time a new generation comes around. Has Mercedes succeeded in improving on an already excellent product? Definitely.
What’s plain and simple: the new ML, still built in Alabama, is an extremely comfortable and competent SUV, just like the old one. The suspension is not as firm as in the X5, even when the optional Active Damping System (ADS) is set to the Sport mode. This results in a ride that tackles many types of road surfaces without disrupting the cabin’s serenity. The ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC we drove was the perfect companion for the 5-hour road trip that Mercedes organized for us.
Although the steering is light and precise, it would benefit from a quicker ratio; while it’s fine for normal driving, I found that it required a little too much rowing in the twisty, high-speed portions of our mountainside trek. Still, for the ML’s purpose and character, it’s more of a wish than a complaint.
After the 5-hour drive aboard the BlueTEC version, I jumped into a gas-powered ML 350 and hit the trails. Even without the optional AIRMATIC suspension (bundled with the aforementioned ADS), the ML performed admirably through the off-road route and on the 20-mile stretch of twisty gravel roads. Getting to the summer cottage in the boonies should be a cinch in the M-Class, and Mercedes will even add an off-road package sometime in 2012.
While I did sample both gas and diesel variants of the ML, the BlueTEC is the one I’d choose. The new 3.5-litre gas V6, which develops 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, does feel racier as engine revs rise and drop more quickly.
The 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6, on the other hand, serves up 240 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of twist from just 1,600 rpm. Still using the AdBlue additive that reduces NOx emissions, it rounds up 30 more ponies and 55 more lb-ft than in the 2011 ML 350 BlueTEC model.
Both engines are paired with an improved 7-speed automatic with manual mode. Called 7G-TRONIC PLUS, it uses a new type of low-viscosity fluid—coloured blue instead of the usual red—and contributes to better fuel economy as well as a quieter operation.
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| The new M-Class is still built in Alabama. (Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com) |
There’s nothing wrong with the current ML. However, rivals like the Acura MDX, BMW X5, Lexus RX and Porsche Cayenne are raising the bar every time a new generation comes around. Has Mercedes succeeded in improving on an already excellent product? Definitely.
What’s plain and simple: the new ML, still built in Alabama, is an extremely comfortable and competent SUV, just like the old one. The suspension is not as firm as in the X5, even when the optional Active Damping System (ADS) is set to the Sport mode. This results in a ride that tackles many types of road surfaces without disrupting the cabin’s serenity. The ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC we drove was the perfect companion for the 5-hour road trip that Mercedes organized for us.
Although the steering is light and precise, it would benefit from a quicker ratio; while it’s fine for normal driving, I found that it required a little too much rowing in the twisty, high-speed portions of our mountainside trek. Still, for the ML’s purpose and character, it’s more of a wish than a complaint.
After the 5-hour drive aboard the BlueTEC version, I jumped into a gas-powered ML 350 and hit the trails. Even without the optional AIRMATIC suspension (bundled with the aforementioned ADS), the ML performed admirably through the off-road route and on the 20-mile stretch of twisty gravel roads. Getting to the summer cottage in the boonies should be a cinch in the M-Class, and Mercedes will even add an off-road package sometime in 2012.
While I did sample both gas and diesel variants of the ML, the BlueTEC is the one I’d choose. The new 3.5-litre gas V6, which develops 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, does feel racier as engine revs rise and drop more quickly.
The 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6, on the other hand, serves up 240 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of twist from just 1,600 rpm. Still using the AdBlue additive that reduces NOx emissions, it rounds up 30 more ponies and 55 more lb-ft than in the 2011 ML 350 BlueTEC model.
Both engines are paired with an improved 7-speed automatic with manual mode. Called 7G-TRONIC PLUS, it uses a new type of low-viscosity fluid—coloured blue instead of the usual red—and contributes to better fuel economy as well as a quieter operation.
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| The Canadian version of the 2012 M-Class will include the AMG Styling Kit as standard equipment. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz) |