Among its German rivals, Mercedes’ M-Class is actually the one that feels like an American SUV because it feels burly and has a cushy ride, making it great for going in a straight line and less suited for tackling corners. In contrast, the BMW X5 handles like an oversized hot hatch, while the Audi Q7 “shrinks” around the driver once it picks up speed.
Given its softer nature, the M-Class is arguably the most comfortable German SUV in the premium segment. Its ride quality is ideal for the urban environment as it overcomes speed bumps and shields occupants from undulating surfaces with ease.
The last M-Class we drove was the ML350. While we couldn’t complain about its refinements, we did have an issue with the adequacy of its 3.5-litre V6 motor, which had to haul 2.1-tonnes of German sheet metal. Although said engine churns out 306bhp and 370Nm, it always needs to be stretched in order to make any progress.
Mercedes-Benz, however, has replaced the ML350 (which sat between the entry-level ML250 and range-topping ML63 AMG) with the ML400, which is equipped with a more muscular bi-turbo 3-litre V6. This motor packs 333bhp and 480Nm – 27bhp and 110Nm more compared to the normally aspirated 3.5 V6. The engine’s torque is also available from 1400rpm, and that’s exactly what this imposing SUV needs.
Indeed, piloting the ML400 is more enjoyable than the ML350. Thanks to the punchier low-end performance, it’s easier to plug gaps in traffic when driving in town.
The handling remains unchanged, though. Thanks to the comfort-biased suspension, chucking the ML400 into corners makes it feel like a ship being tossed about by big waves. To mitigate this, you’d have to opt for the $14.8k Active Curve System, which adds active stabilisers to reduce body roll when cornering or driving off road.
However, said system can’t be equipped unless you opt for the Airmatic package (air suspension) first, which will set you back another $8k. Forking out an extra $22k isn’t a problem if you’re shopping in this segment, but in my opinion, a luxury SUV with an asking price of over $340k should already have these features.
Fortunately, the ML400’s cabin is relatively faultless, with generous storage points and a user-friendly infotainment system. In fact, the only issue we had was with the door sill running boards. Although they give the vehicle a rugged appearance, their narrowness actually makes them awkward to use.
Appearance, of course, is important to many owners. Despite the ML400‘s potential off-roading ability, drivers are unlikely to take the burly Benz into the forests that lie beyond our concrete jungle.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE 2996cc, 24-valves, V6, turbocharged
MAX POWER 333bhp at 5500rpm
MAX TORQUE 480Nm at 1400-4000rpm
GEARBOX 7-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H 6.1 seconds
TOP SPEED 250km/h (governed)
CONSUMPTION 11km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 212g/km
PRICE INCL. COE
$346,888 (after $5k CEVS surcharge)
