2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class First Impressions
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.
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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 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 serves up 240 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com) |
What’s amazing about the BlueTEC V6 is how smoothly it operates; quiet and refined, the average occupant might not guess it’s a diesel. And all that low-rpm torque makes for quick getaways. At the conclusion of our road trip, my driving partner and I achieved an average of 9.2 L/100 km. That’s pretty good for a 4,800-lb truck driven by two autojournos.
And when you choose the diesel version of the M-Class, you also get impressive towing capacity; Mercedes claims the BlueTEC can pull up to 7,716 lbs (or 3,500 kilograms).
The new ML is slightly longer, wider and lower than the outgoing model. Inside, though, you don’t really feel any gain in space. In fact, cargo space is reduced; with the rear seat in place, volume drops from 833 litres to 690. With the rear seats folded away, which is easily performed with one hand, total space amounts to 2,010 litres.
You get the usual standard features and trimmings, such as ARTICO artificial leather upholstery, several wood trim choices, a power sunroof, a power-adjustable steering column, front and rear park sonar and dual-zone climate control. Great news for those who were always irritated by the awkwardly-located turn signal lever; it has traded places with the cruise control stalk, and all redesigned Mercedes models will follow suit.
However, the Canadian-market M-Class will differ slightly from the US versions. The most significant element is the standard-equipment AMG styling package; it includes more-aggressive front and rear bumpers as well as sportier, body-coloured rocker panels. We drove the US-spec version, and on a personal note, the black lower-body trim spoils the otherwise smart and elegant look of the ML. Hooray for the AMG visual add-ons.
Canadian-spec versions also get standard heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rear-seat airbags and 19-inch, twin-spoke alloy wheels.
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A Sport Package (AIRMATIC and ADS suspension, 20-inch AMG wheels), a Leather Package (upholstery and ARTICO stitched dashboard trim), a Driver Assistance Package (active blind-spot monitor, active lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control) and other goodies such as a wood-trimmed wheel, ventilated front seats, running boards and rear-seat DVD are available as well.
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| The new M-Class will be on sale in September. (Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com) |
By the way, here’s what we won’t get, at least for now: in Europe, there will be an ML 250 BlueTEC powered by a 204-horsepower, 2.2-litre turbodiesel four, and a start/stop system is included on all models. The latter would’ve been nice.
Both the 2012 ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC and ML 350 4MATIC will be on sale in Canada this coming September. As for the other versions, an ML 550 4MATIC will appear in the first quarter of 2012, and the ML 63 AMG will also turn up sometime next year. Pricing has not yet been finalized for Canada, but expect MSRPs within a few hundred dollars of the 2011 editions. Mercedes-Benz Canada expects 80% of its M-Class sales to favour the BlueTEC edition.
So, how good is this new M-Class? It’s very good, but so was the old one. While the differences in ride quality and overall appearance may be minor, the 2012 version piles on even more refinement and more safety features, offers a quieter driving experience, is more powerful and consumes less fuel. All that should keep the ML in the game for the next few years.
