2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class sees an abundance of key improvements, notably in performance, fuel efficiency and cabin ambience that will actually maintain it to remain fully competitive within the luxury SUV game. For 2012, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class is all-new.

The redesigned 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is a great type of subtle evolution. When you experience something good going, why make radical changes? Consequently, the most up-to-date Mercedes M-Class, even with all-new sheet metal, is easily recognizable as the brand’s popular midsize SUV. Styling is cleaned up somewhat, because the grille returns to a more classic Mercedes look while the profile keeps the M’s familiar greenhouse. A handful of newer styling cues are located within the sculpted hindquarters and wide taillights, both inspired from the E-Class.

More robust, more capable sufficient reason for a nicer cabin than ever, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class nonetheless has some lots of competition. Its chief rival is yet again the BMW X5, but there are also the less costly Acura MDX and Lexus RX as worthy choices. As for similarly priced and sized rivals, the aforementioned X5 and the Porsche Cayenne both provide a little more involvement for that driving enthusiast. Every of these will supply more than sufficient luxury and performance for the majority of folks, we’d encourage one to conduct back-to-back test-drives of any that strike your fancy.

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 BlueTEC SUV

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is usually a five-passenger midsize luxury SUV available in ML350 and ML350 Bluetec trim levels. Later inside model year those will be joined by the ML550 and ML63 AMG trim levels.

The ML350 and ML350 Bluetec are equipped similarly with standard 19-inch wheels, a sunroof, an electric liftgate, foglamps, dual-zone automatic heating and cooling, a tilt-and-telescoping tyre, eight-way power/heated front seats, reclining rear seats, MB-Tex premium vinyl upholstery, the COMAND electronics interface, Bluetooth, the TeleAid emergency telematics service plus an eight-speaker subwoofer with HD radio, a CD player and USB/auxiliary jacks.

Options are the Premium 1 package, with a rearview camera, power-folding mirrors, auto-dimming rearview/sideview mirrors, an electricity tilt-and-telescoping controls, driver memory functions, a navigation system, voice controls, satellite radio, an iPod interface and 10GB of digital music storage. The Premium 2 package includes all Premium 1 equipment plus keyless ignition/entry, heated/cooled cupholders, a Harman Kardon surround-sound stereo audio and ambient cabin lighting.

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 4MATIC SUV

The ML350 is sold with all-wheel drive (4Matic) and is particularly powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that creates 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission is standard. Mercedes estimates it’s going to alternate from zero to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. Fuel economy is estimated to generally be 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.

The ML350 Bluetec incorporates a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 that utilizes 50-state-legal clean-diesel technology. It produces 240 hp and also a prodigious 455 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed automatic and 4Matic are standard. Its 0-60 time is estimated in the same 7.3 seconds as being the gas ML350, but fuel economy improves to twenty city and 25 highway.

Standard safety equipment for 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class includes antilock brakes, traction and stability control, hill-start assist and hill-descent control, active front head restraints, the mbrace emergency communications system, PreSafe (it anticipates an imminent crash and automatically takes measures to raised secure occupants), back and front side airbags, side curtain airbags plus a driver knee airbag.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class features among the finest cabins in the class, having a pleasing design and top-notch materials. This current year brings more personalization options in addition, with two-tone upholstery as well as wood and metallic accents out there. The upright dash reminds us just a bit on the distantly related Jeep Grand Cherokee, but overall the ML350 feels like an actual Benz.

On a winding road, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 can roll a lttle bit when pressed, although the ride is compliant without getting floaty. Individuals who want really an activity sedan flavor inside their SUV can go for that Dynamic Handling package that does an impressive job of quelling body motions. In either case, the newest, all-electric steering method is a marked improvement above the previous setup, because it provides gratifying precision and predictable effort build-up just like you turn the wheel off center.