For over one hundred years, Mercedes-Benz automobiles are renowned for being over engineered—every piece exuding a tactile feel of workmanship as expected from the world’s top luxury brand. However, with such a long and illustrious history, it’s no surprise that sometimes one or two products would receive a less than stellar reception, and one of this was the first-generation M-Class. Don’t get it wrong, the M-Class is a huge sales success (particularly in SUV-hungry America), but people soon pointed out that it felt engineered on a scrimp budget: body-on-frame construction, poor interior materials and a lackluster drivetrain.
Mercedes-Benz seems to have acknowledged this mistake and vowed to turn things around as early as when plans for the all-new M-Class were announced. Now that it has arrived, we are happy to announce that they’ve delivered. Though its exterior lines pretty much stick to the first one (not too sporty, not too dreary), it manages to look modern especially with nifty styling details. It doesn’t look particularly striking or aggressive, but it grabs attention; and it’s not just because of the huge tri-star emblem on the grille. The sculpted shape now has better contours and rich lines such as the raising crease across the side, the pronounced bumpers and the stronger wheel arches. The windshield has been raked sharply resulting in good aerodynamics to reduce wind noise and improve fuel economy.
The changes don’t just end with the exterior shell. Underneath is where Mercedes-Benz placed most of their development in. Abandoning the “good for the accounting books” body-on-frame construction for a car-like unibody, the M-Class rides on a much stronger and rigid platform. On smooth surfaces, the ride quality is impeccable—the springs and shocks clearly tuned for comfort. However, the damping is pretty good too, ensuing good control and maneuverability. Mechanical grip is tremendous (better than any upscale SUV we’ve tested so far) thanks to the 235/55 R 17 and advanced four-wheel drive. Speaking about four-wheel drive, the M-Class is decisively more for the urban jungle than the Amazon with just the basic all-wheel drive software (4ETS and hill descent control include) put in. However, Mercedes-Benz is still offering locking differentials and low-range systems plus height-adjustable suspension and improved underbelly shielding with their off-road package.
Inside, the M-Class is very much like a contemporary Mercedes-Benz. Stylistically, it’s complex and busy with many different shapes on the instrumental panel, console and doors. However, in theory, the interior works pretty well: ergonomically perfect and naturally intuitive. In addition, the use of a two-tone cabin with carbon fiber trim and aluminum inserts make the M-Class a very homey and family-friendly environment. On the practical side, space and comfort are excellent with supportive seats and unobtrusive leg/knee room for all. All the usual toys are accounted for such as power front seats, four-zone climate control and even a tilt/sliding moon roof. Perhaps the only gripe families would have is that the M-Class now only seats 5 (although an extended M-Class-based SUV dubbed GL-Class seats 7).
Trying to free up as much clutter on the dash (Germans consider too much controls a distraction), interior designers opted to hide even the simplest of things such as the M-Class’s CD slot. As it has been a Mercedes-Benz tradition for quite some time now, it’s hidden behind the COMAND screen. Though it’s not MP3 compatible, there’s a 6-disc changer in the glove box for 6 hours of continuous music. For those who’re more techie, Mercedes-Benz also provides an auxiliary input jack and an Apple iPod docking station, both of which are available accessories. Whatever the music format though, the M-Class pumps out the music resoundingly with its standard 8 speaker system.
Driving the M-Class requires a bit of mental re-arrangement, as a search for the shift level, will at first, come up blank; the usual spot now occupied by two large cup holders. The shifter is now the deceptively small lever on the ride side of the steering column behind the wheel (ala Mercedes-Benz S-Class). Shifting the steering-column stalk is a bit strange at first, as there’s no mechanical feedback. Reverse is up, neutral is center and drive is down. Gears can be manually selected using rocker switches on the back of the steering wheel. Once you master the selector, the M-Class rewards with an experience that emphasizes the “sport” and “sport utility”. The 3.5-liter V6 is ultra-smooth and the power delivery highly linear. The 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic (the first in an SUV) provides seamless shifts. The speed-sensitive power steering allows for light effort at parking speeds, with more effort at highway speeds for control. As in any SUV, the high seating position gives excellent visibility; but very un-SUV of the M-Class is the almost absence of body roll. There’s some degree of understeer, but it’s no less pointable than its German rivals.
Although not likely to be tested, Mercedes-Benz gifted the M-Class the best safety equipment currently available. Aside from the typical array of airbags, the M-Class comes with a dual-mode (tarmac/off-road) ABS system, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ARCADE and PRE-SAFE—an anticipatory occupant protection system that integrates all electronically controlled safety equipment to prepare for a possible impact when the on-board computer so indicate (another SUV first).
In the end, it’s pretty clear that the M-Class is now the leader of the luxury SUV category. Although some may gripe that it seats fewer people than before, the new M-Class is really hard to criticize. It’s certainly gotten all the Mercedes-Benz ingredients right: classy, elegant and understated outside; solid, reliable and capable inside. Beyond a great product, the M-Class signals a triumphant return to form for the three-pointed star. And with the logo so prominently displayed on the grille, it hasn’t come at a better time.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos by Ulysses Ang
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