M-Class all you want it to be

Jul 16 2009 By Edward Stephens

WHATEVER your feelings about the size and fuel consumption of large SUVs there is little doubt that the latest ones fulfil any demands that you make of them – on or off-road.

Take the latest Mercedes-Benz M-Class, for example. A real car for all reasons.

Looking a little like a giant Tonka toy, the M-Class is just as much at home in tough off-road conditions as on the school run or heading for a business meeting in the City.

And to ensure that it still looks and performs as well if not better than ever it has been given a makeover. Now the new-look model is sleeker, sportier and certainly has far more kerb appeal. It’s also better-equipped, more luxurious and easier to live with.

The most noticeable difference is the new look front, with its redesigned front bumper and striking headlights with piercing new projection-beams.

The grille is larger and therefore more dynamic and on the Sport model is now in silver with a chrome trim. The Sport also gets aluminium roof rails and aluminium-finish running boards with rubber studs to distinguish it from the SE version.

In contrast the SE is distinguished by its black roof rails, tinted tail lights, larger wing mirrors with automatic dimming and folding function, black grille with chrome trim and – in the case of my V6 test model – twin oval exhaust pipes.

There’s quite a heavy tint on the driver and passenger door windows but that pales into insignificance when compared to the windows further back where privacy glass is a strong feature giving the M-Class a bit of a villainous look. On the Sport it’s a standard fit but on my SE version it was a £293 optional extra.

Inside the SE it’s comfort all the way, with everything from electrically operated and heated leather seats redesigned for comfort – with four-way electric lumbar support – to a new-look multi-function steering wheel.

Standard functions making this Merc easier to live with include an automatic opening and closing rear tailgate – you just push a button and it goes into action accompanied by a pinging noise just in case anyone gets in its way – and front and rear parking sensors.

Beneath the tailgate the M-Class has the carrying capacity of a large estate car, accommodating 500-litres of luggage with the rear seats upright and a vast 1,830-litres with them folded down.

With a seven-speed automatic gearbox, complete with paddles behind the steering wheel so you can drive it Formula 1 style, an adjustable suspension system you can set to sport for firmer handling and a beefy 3.2-litre diesel engine in the 320 CDI the M-Class has a real sports saloon feel about it.

There is none of the roll often associated with off-roaders and the performance, while a little sluggish from standstill – this being a two-ton vehicle – is just the opposite when you need mid-range performance. Floor the accelerator while on the move and this big beast will pleasantly surprise you.

So if you drive an off-roader, an MPV, an estate car or even a sports car you will find that the M-Class could still be your ideal next car. There is certainly far more to it than just a vehicle capable of coping with tough terrain.

Fast Facts - Mercedes-Benz ML 320 CDI SE

Price: £40,906.70
Mechanical: 224 bhp, 2987cc, 6cyl diesel engine driving all wheels via 7spd automatic gearbox.
Max speed: 134 mph
0-62mph: 8.6 secs
Combined mpg: 29.4
Insurance group: 18A
CO2 emissions: 246 g/km
Warranty: Three years unlimited mileage, three years paint, 30-years anti-rust.