Road Test: Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
My friend's tone was not so much scorn as dismissive, writes Brian Byrne. Even though he'd probably not driven the new generation ML-Class I'd arrived in to his gig. I didn't argue. There's no argument with embedded preconception laced with anti bias.
Yank? OK, along with the GL-Class, the ML is made in the US for the European market. Tank? Well, tough it is. Big too. Nothing wrong with either.
Until this year the M-Class was a bit of boxiness. Had all the best bits from its brand, though. Strong. Comfortable. Good engines. Off-road ability when needed.
This year it still has all of the above. With more. More strength, more comfortable, more offroad capability. Better engines, better looks. And with less. Fuel usage, to be precise.
The market position is luxury SUV. Range Rover Sport competitor. BMW X5 too. Some versions of Audi's Q7. A place where price is not necessarily the most important thing. Though it isn't unimportant.
Even if it came without the badge, you'd know that it's a Merc. Outside and in, it has the detailing. The fittings, the finish. The familiars. Familiar is important to retain your premium buyers. And it does have the three-point star badge. A big one.
It has the technologies too. The 4Matic permanent AWD is another familiar. Always improving. Attention Assist wakes you up if you start to sleepily drift. One of the best automatic transmissions in the business. On offer are more, like the Airmatic suspension system and a more comprehensive On/Offroad package than the standard 4Matic, which allows excursions into deeper wilderness.
