The M-class is a ideal of restrained aggression — no body armour, bulging muscle or overt SUV cues. The angled, wraparound rear windshield is an interesting design element; the styling is not especially striking, but the car has genuine presence.

 

The M-class was designed more for on-road refinement than off-road performance, and so, has all-round independent suspension, all wheels suspended by double wishbones. It also features plenty of typical Mercedes techno-wizardry, including ESP. However, it sticks to a traditional body-on-frame construction, to give it at least some measure of off-road capability.

 

The interior is again a study in restraint, a very clean, sober layout clad in leather and wood, with some of the heavy-handedness prevalent in late 1990s Merc styling. Legroom in the middle and third row isn’t terrific, but it’s comfy enough, and there’s plenty of storage space and a good air-con system.

 

The M-class is available as the diesel-powered ML270 CDI, and as the petrol ML 350. The 270 CDI uses the same engine as in the E270 CDI saloon, but weighing two tonnes, the M-class can’t quite match its brother’s searing performance.

 

This five-cylinder unit produces 163bhp and 37.7kgm of torque, and direct injection means this torque peaks very early in the power-band, making it a hoot to drive through traffic. It’s also extremely refined, but suffers from some turbo lag, and there is a distinct gap between mashing the throttle to the floor and the car skating off. However, when power and torque do join the party, there’s no stopping the ML, which goes to 100kph in 13.4sec, which is excellent for an SUV.

 

With an auto box, the ML tends to be a bit thirsty, despite the tall gearing, and will only return 6.5 and 8.3kpl. The ML 350 uses the 3.7-litre V6 that also propels the S350 and a creamier, refined unit is difficult to find. And with 234bhp and 47.8kgm on tap, it’s no slouch either, and can keep up with the best on the highway. It is extremely quiet and works seamlessly at all speeds, though driving through city traffic can be both a bit frustrating and really heavy on the wallet.

 

The ML’s ladder-frame chassis means that it isn’t as stiff as saloons or even some more advanced SUVs, and ride really suffers as a result. It is really too stiff for a luxury car, thumping its way through potholes, and even slaps noisily over expansion joints. The handling, though, is pretty good, and stability at high speeds is superb, gizmos like ESP and the ETS four-wheel-drive system working smoothly to keep you planted.

 

The M-Class is exactly how you’d expect from a Merc SUV to be – refined, comfortable, and capable on the road and off, with discreet-but-impressive styling, a pair of muscular, quiet engines and the cachet of the badge. However, it’s has some distinct flaws – the stiff-kneed ride for example, and the lack of rear seat space, and the general failing of this type of vehicle, that it always feels a bit too pricey for what you get.

Filed under: Mercedes Cars in India