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.
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.
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.
