Will the changes to the new Mercedes M-Class Be Enough to Make it the 2012 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year?

Mercedes-Benz remains at the top of the automotive industry, known for prestigious cars and SUVs with technology you may not find anywhere else.

Changes to the all-new third generation Mercedes-Benz M-Class are evolutionary, with crisper styling and more standard features than ever before. That means a more upright familial nose, a wood-and-leather-trimmed interior, and technology that can detect when the driver becomes drowsy. While no staffers were blown away by the conservative styling cues, many were impressed by the ML’s interior packaging, which offered plenty of seating room front and rear for even our taller staffers, as well as one of the more spacious cargo areas with minimal wheelwell intrusion.

We were also impressed with the two new V-6 engines in the new M-Class lineup: a 302-horsepower, 3.5-liter gasoline mill, and a 3.0-liter diesel that packs 240 horses. While the gasoline engine was eager to rev, virtually all testers preferred the silky smooth, 455-lb-ft diesel engine despite a 4100-rpm redline and a bit of diesel clatter.

We were impressed with the ML350’s on-road handling given its larger size and weight, especially with the optional active anti-roll bars. If there was a common complaint on the Merc’s road manners, it was that the suspension tune was too firm. Nevertheless, we were generally impressed with the Mercedes’ road manners and versatile nature, especially as a vehicle to eat up the highway miles.

Will the changes to the new Mercedes M-Class be enough to make it the 2012 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year? Find out on October 25^th.

 

Source: MotorTrend.com