Mercedes-Benz M-Class (05-11) - Review

Review by David Ross on
Last Updated: 17 April 2009
The M-Class is Mercedes-Benz back at its best. The styling is understated and elegant, the interior is comfortable and attractive, plus it drives well - both on and off-road - the whole package oozes subtle sophistication. There are some cracking engines too, including a whisper-quiet V6 diesel, a very powerful 4.2-litre diesel and a sublime 5.0-litre V8. And if that's not enough, a 510bhp 6.3-litre AMG model which is covered in a separate review. Although the M-Class doesn't come cheap, list prices are close to that of similar off roaders and there's plenty of standard equipment. In October 2008 it was facelifted with slight exterior tweaks (including new headlights) while the diesel models were made cleaner and more economical.
3.5 out of 5

Equipment

ML320 CDI and ML350 models have driver and front passenger airbags, permanent four-wheel-drive, ABS, traction control, heated door mirrors, brake assist, DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation), ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), electric windows, 60/40 split folding seats, seatbelt pre-tensioners, Isofix child seat points, climate control, seven-speed automatic 7G-TRONIC gearbox, front seats with partial electric adjustment and remote central locking. SE models have metallic paint, colour coded door handles with chrome trim, chrome rectangular tailpipes and a burr walnut interior. Sport models have metallic paint, 19-inch alloy wheels, electrically-adjustable front sports seats and black aluminium interior trim. ML500 customers can choose between SE or Sport trims. In November 2008 the M-Class was revised and standard equipment upgraded to include Parktronic front and rear parking sensors, Easy-Pack powered tailgate, rain sensing wipers, Bluetooth, an auxiliary input for MP3 players or iPods and redesigned heated front seats with four-way electric lumbar support.

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Trim

Equipment

Key:

Standard item

Optional item

  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • ABS
  • Alarm
  • Alloy wheels
  • Audio remote
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • CD Multichanger
  • Climate control
  • Cruise control
  • Driver`s airbag
  • DVD
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Folding rear seats
  • Front electric windows
  • Front fog lights
  • Headlight washers
  • Heated mirrors
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • PAS
  • Passenger`s airbag
  • Rear electric windows
  • Remote locking
  • Roof rails
  • Sat Nav
  • Service indicator
  • Side airbags
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control
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