2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Reviews

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?What is it?This is the upmarket diesel Benz ML, generation three of the big US-built SUV. It's new from the wheels up with more kit, more room, better drive feel, luxury - everything.How much?This one goes for $99,900 - of which 17 grand is GST and Luxury Car Tax. If Benz could have squeezed 0.3 litres/100km more out of the engine, there would have been less LCT.What are competitors?BMW X5, Audi Q7 and now diesel Infiniti FX.What's under the bonnet?A wonderfully punchy 3.0-litre, V6 turbodiesel with variable nozzle turbo. Drive is permanent all wheel drive through a seven-speed auto. An AdBlue tank feeds urea into the exhaust to minimise emissions.How does it go?Like a train. There's 190Kw/620Nm available from low in the rev range to give performance on par with a big petrol V8 - with four cylinder fuel economy. Competent off road too.Is it economical?Amazingly so - rated at 7.3-litres/100km. It gives a range of over 1000km from the 93 litre tank.Is it green?Extremely - passes Euro 6 regulations not due for implementation until 2014. Extensive fuel/emissions reducing technology like friction optimised bearings, decoupling ancillaries, low friction axle drives, low rolling resistance tyres. Eco stop/start.Is it safe?Five star with a bullet thanks to clever technology like lane keeping assist, blind spot warning, reverse camera, pre-safe collision preparation, attention assist.Is it comfortable?Similar luxury feel as big S-Class and E-Class Benz sedans. Minimal noise, vibration, harshness. Plenty of luxury kit, killer audio, leather, electric assistance left, right and centre, clever lighting package, rake adjust rear seats, big multi-media screen.What's it like to drive?Impressive, especially the get go from that turbodiesel engine - whoosh. Has a more sporty nature than expected, decent handling, quite nimble for a 2.0+ tonne SUV.Is it value for money?Would be if you could avoid the tax element. Fairly generous standard equipment, 20-inch alloys.Would we buy one?Absolutely...luxurious family vehicle, goes like the clappers, looks classy and uses minimal fuel.Mercedes-Benz ML350 BluetecPrice: from $99,900Warranty: 3 years roadside assistWeight: 2175kgEngine: 3-litre, 6-cylinder turbo-diesel, 190kW/620NmTransmission: 7-speed sports auto, constant 4WDThirst: 7.3L/100Km, CO2 192g/km

The just launched all-new Mercedes-Benz M-Class demonstrates just how good the concept was when launched 15 years ago. No more so than in the styling.In profile the new Mercedes M-Class is instantly recognisable by the shape of the swept C-pillar and the way the D-pillar is blacked out to make it seem all but invisible. At the front the changes are more noticeable, with the new, very bold face being closely allied to the sporting look of the latest range of Benz sedans.Aimed at the American market right from the start, the German SUV is actually built in that country, the factory being situated in an area once struggling economically, but now doing very well thanks to the foresight of Mercedes. Being aimed at the Americans means the Mercedes M-Class is very much suited to Australians as well.Though similar in external size to the outgoing second generation M-Class - it’s marginally longer and wider and slightly lower - the gen-three vehicle is noticeably more spacious inside than before. Even better, it has a light and airy feel that makes it appear larger again. Again, the dash area follows the latest Mercedes’ style, with large, easy-to-read speedo and tacho directly in front of the driver and a good-sized multifunction central display screen sitting high to minimise driver distraction.A new range of control stalks gradually being introduced throughout the Mercedes range are a feature of the new M-Class. To our fingers they don’t have the same solid feel as the long-standing older units, but we will probably become used to them with practice. Another change that will be noticed by longtime drivers of M-Class, is the replacement of the somewhat awkward foot-operated parking brake with a finger operated unit near the bottom right of the steering wheel. That is, in the same position occupied by the release lever for many years - a sensible move.The complete 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is priced between $81,400 and $177,900. Pricing of the all-new Mercedes-Benz M-Class is impressive, with drops of several thousand dollars compared with the outgoing model, and that despite the new M-Class having significantly more equipment than its predecessors.A full range of connectivity is offered in the new Mercedes SUV, with Bluetooth streaming, USB and even an SD card. A total of 40 Gb is used in the complex information and entertainment system that, among other things, provides Suna traffic management. Around 10 Gb is available for storage of music and similar files. At this stage only two engines are being imported to Australia due to high demand in other countries stretching the factory’s production output. These are both turbo-diesel units; a four-cylinder 2.1-litre producing up to 150 kilowatts of power and a stunning 500 Newton metres of torque; and a 3.0-litre V6 with an even more impressive 190 kW and 620 Nm. Fuel consumption figures of 6.4 and 7.3 litres per hundred kilometres, respectively, are quoted for the two diesel engines described below. Driven carefully on country trips the ML 250 could cover 1500 kilometres between fills. These new-design diesels, working with a stop-start system, seven-speed automatic, low rolling resistance tyres, clever body aerodynamics and numerous smaller changes have pulled the fuel consumption down by an average of 25 per cent across the new model range.These are astonishing improvements that would have been considered all-but impossible as recently as 10 years ago. These engines, called BlueTec by Mercedes, meet the tough Euro 6 emission control requirements. Making them about five to six years ahead of Australian regulations. Well done, Mercedes. Petrol powerplants with six and eight cylinders are scheduled to arrive as soon as the Australian importer can get hold of stock from the American factory. Also in the pipeline is a red-hot AMG model, we were fortunate enough to test one in the USA earlier this year - and can’t wait to see it downunder...Primary safety is provided by a host of electronic systems, many of them pioneered by Mercedes in the topline S-Class models, as well as daytime running lights (DRLs). Secondary safety sees the fitment of no fewer than nine airbags (including side units front and rear and a driver’s knee bag).Over a two-day period we sampled both new turbo-diesels - the ML 250 and ML 350 - on an extended drive program set by Mercedes-Benz out of Melbourne, along the famed Great Ocean Road and in the hills behind the coast. Even the 2.1-litre engine is likely to provide enough performance for the average owner, with strong torque, and good response from both the engine and transmission. The 3.0 is there for those who like a bit of sport from their diesels. The vehicles are smooth and quiet to ride in, though we did find the ride on vehicle fitted with the 19-inch wheels and 45-series tyres a little on the jiggly side on broken bitumen roads. The front seats are large and support well and there’s a feeling of quality and refinement in the interior that will impress all who travel within it. The thick windscreen pillars - to make the M-Class safer during a crash - blocked our view on some bends, particularly when the roads were dropping downhill and sweeping to the right. Steering is by a new electrically assisted system (part of the fuel reduction package) provides good feel and has the added advantage that the big SUV can parallel park itself should the driver so desire. Road grip is well above that likely to be demanded by the typical owner, thus providing huge levels of safety.The complete 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class range is:ML 250 BlueTEC 2.2-litre turbodiesel five-door wagonML 250 BlueTEC Exclusive 2.2-litre turbodiesel five-door wagonML 350 BlueTEC 3.0-litre turbodiesel five-door wagonML 350 BlueEFFICIENCY 3.5-litre Biturbo petrol five-door wagonML 500 4.7-litre Biturbo petrol five-door wagonML63 AMG 5.5-litre Biturbo petrol five-door wagon

Good news. It’s game on among the German luxury brands, with a fierce contest for hearts, wallets and top global position.Mercedes-Benz is determined to reverse its slide from global second to third spot in 2011, overtaken by Audi – who have their eyes on the top spot BMW stole from Benz a few years back. That’s great for buyers, as the battle plans means prices will be sharpened and models stacked with equipment until the seams start to bulge.The Mercedes-Benz ML-Class launched this week is a textbook strategy – revised, refitted, re-engined and repriced to undercut the competition in the large SUV class.The opening salvo is the ML250 BlueTEC at $81,400, with a 150kW/500Nm 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel mated to the standard seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shifters on the steering wheel. The big news is fuel economy improvements across the range, with the ML250’s official figure of 6.4L/100km startling for a large SUV. It also has a 3000kg braked tow capacity (the rest are 3265kg).And the base model is no stripped-out package either. Standard goodies include voice-control for the 17.8cm colour-screen satnav and 40GB hard-drive infotainment system, reversing camera, park guidance, selective suspension damping, 19-in alloy wheels (18-in are optional for those who want to go offroad) and – finally – an electric parking brake instead of the clunky foot one.The ML350 BlueTEC has a 190kW/620Nm 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 and returns fuel economy of 7.3L/100km. Priced at $99,900, it scatters extra power, heat and lighting systems around the cabin, but possibly more importantly adds extra safety equipment.The rivals for the two BlueTECs are the BMW X5 30d and Audi Q7 3.0TDI. The BMW is priced from $92,100 with a 180kW/540Nm 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel and eight-speed auto, delivering fuel economy of 7.4L/100km. The Audi is $90,500 with a 176kW/550Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel – again with eight-speed auto and 7.4L/100km.With the same spec and price as the 350BlueTEC, the ML350 BlueEfficency gets a 225kW/370Nm 3.5-litre direct-injection petrol V6 with stop-start system, and gives you 8.9L/100km. Against that, Audi has a $95,700 tag on its 245kW/440Nm 3.0-litre petrol Q7 and BMW wants $103,900 for the 225kW/400Nm 3.0-litre petrol X5.The ML500 has a 300kW/600Nm 4.7-litre direct-injected bi-turbo V8 that returns 12.3L/100km. At $119,000 it adds keyless start, powered tailgate and air suspension and adaptive damping. Audi drops out of the game here, but the BMW has the X5 50i at $134,000 with a 300kW/475Nm 4.4-litre eight-cylinder.The ML63 AMG carries the larger V8, a 386kW/700Nm 5.5-litre direct-injected bi-turbo unit with stop-start that helps it get 11.8L/100km. At $178,500 it gets a complete AMG fit-out, including sports transmission, top-shelf everything and premium audio system. Up against that, BMW offers the X5 M at $178,200 with a 408kW/680Nm 4.4-litre eight-cylinder.The designers haven’t gone all-out, but the restrained changes here and there result in a sleeker overall style, with less boxiness – camouflaging the ML’s taller, longer and wider measurements. The size has grown but the weight has dropped, with the help of aluminium front fenders and bonnet. Rear design gets a more cohesive look, with a new wide taillight cluster and metal-look undertray the main changes.The cabin gives plenty of elbow and legroom with the test vehicles’ two seat rows, and a larger colour screen now also sits higher in the dash, making it easier to see. But the cruise control and indicator stalks behind the left side of the steering wheel are still annoying so close together, and the column shift on the right is an unsatisfying way to change gears.Saddle-stitched ‘pleather’ and metal accents everywhere add a hint of business-class, while the second row shares some of the pampering with adjustable backrests.No prizes for guessing it gets the top rating, with nine airbags, high-tech anti-lock brakes with all the electronic helpers - including one that coordinates with the transmission for driving up and down slopes - active bonnet pedestrian impact protection and a host of the best safety technology around, including a drowsiness alert.Weight loss and well-sorted engines are a winning combination. Both the ML250 and ML350 BlueTECs we tested felt lighter than most SUVs could ever hope, and there was never any sense the engines were straining to cope with the load.We would have noticed, because both the engine and cabin are so quiet you could easily hear approaching traffic, even on the highway. They move well from standstill, and there’s more than enough torque for extra acceleration in the 80-110km/h overtaking stints - or to lug a horse float, which is going to be on the cards in view of both the tow rating and the target market.And those buyers won’t be concerned by the steering’s light touch and lack of feedback, which will serve them well in city traffic and the inevitable parking battle of school drop-offs and carparks. They’ll possibly also enjoy the firm suspension’s handling of smooth corners, where the system keeps things on the level.But the penalty is the lack of composure over rough and undulating surfaces, particularly noticeable on the 20-in wheels of the ML350. Hitting rough patches in corners unsettles it, and even in straight stretches there’s still enough movement to mean you’ll be banning food - and food-stuffed kids -- from the cabin.