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2006 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 Road Test

Now Thats More Like It

Mercedes-Benz has a long tradition of building top-tier luxury passenger cars, but few Americans realize just how deep its truck and sport utility heritage goes. Most have probably seen one of the brands utilitarian two-box G-wagons on the road, a design that, in production trim at least, dates back some 27 years to a time when the term sport utility hadnt yet been coined and those less fortunate to have imported a Gelandewagen from Germany or some other country outside of North America, where the trucks were sold, would have been tooling around the woods in a Chevy Blazer K5, Ford Bronco, International Scout, Toyota Land Cruiser, or more than likely just an old pickup truck with four-wheel drive. Take a gander to Europe and youll notice Mercedes is as revered for industrial-duty utility as it is for luxury, with three-pointed star highway trucks

SUVs have come a long way in the last three decades, not to mention the last ten years. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

joining DAF, MAN, Volvo, Iveco and others. Truly, Mercedes-Benz is no stranger to roughing it.

The ML, when introduced in 1997 as a 1998 model, broke some longstanding M-B 4x4 rules, however, as it wasnt a true off-road vehicle, but more of a light-duty dirt-road capable crossover. It was amongst the first luxury-nameplate SUVs anywhere, Range Rover, Lamborghini LM002,  Laforza Prima and that one-off Bentley Dominator aside, and despite a bad bout of reliability problems when first introduced it acquired a strong and loyal following.

The new MLs muscular haunches make it appear more rugged than the previous version. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

With reliability no longer as much of an issue, being that Mercedes-Benz has thrown vast resources at pulling its entire brand out of the J.D. Power doldrums so that its no longer hanging out in the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) basement with the bottom-10 crowd (although Lexus, at number one overall its not), those considering a new ML can lay the money down without as much concern, and there are plenty of reasons to want to buck up for what I believe is one of M-Bs best products, and one of the best crossover SUVs in the segment period.
Thats a seriously bold statement, I know, but being that

This just might be M-Bs strongest vehicle, and one of, if not the best in class. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

I may have been a bit too honest in my criticisms of some other M-B vehicles, the B- and R-Class specifically, I owe it to all our Mercedes-Benz fans to be brutally truthful about the ML too. Where the B and R failed my value (for the former) and family livability (for the latter) tests, the ML passed both with grace and composure, hauling family, friends and colleagues around town in comfort and with verve, never causing problems in parking lots, responding to throttle input with enthusiasm while turning winding country roads into playgrounds for the privileged, plus all the while looked good doing so.
It really is a nice looking vehicle. Where the previous model was upright

The detailing is superb. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

in its stance, almost formal yet somehow, at least from behind, a little too minivan, and therefore "soccer mom" in its appearance for complete SUV status, the new model is curvaceous and muscular, much more masculine and therefore, to me at least, much more appealing. Possibly M-Bs bold new fender flares work best on the ML, combining a sense of ruggedness with a sporting quality few crossover SUVs pull off; Mazdas new CX-7 being one of the genres better designs. Yet where the Mazda is elegantly styled and lives up to its sporty pretensions, even non-car people know that its wing-like "M" logo cant, and for that matter isnt even trying to live up to the Mercedes-Benz heritage.

That heritage can best be appreciated inside the new ML, where Mercedes has done an especially good job combining

The ML carries forward many classic M-B styling cues, like its horizontally ribbed taillight clusters. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

high quality materials with refreshingly elegant design. I havent always been impressed with the interiors of three-pointed star vehicles, some of the trim on the G-wagon being laughable considering its outrageous price, and generally, surfaces in the unseen areas of others, such as under various armrests within its cars center consoles, where, instead of a luxurious velvety lining, as is the case with some of its competitors, many Mercedes-Benz models are simply coated in hard, shiny, black plastic. Although the ML isnt perfect, and what vehicle is, it targets its segment perfectly in that it delivers one of the best executed interiors, with extremely comfortable seats at all positions, impressive space optimization and, overall, a warm and inviting ambience that, lets face it, isnt typically German.

But maybe this

Nice interior, and its safe too. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

last point isnt fair. After all, Ive had a number of extremely warm and inviting Mercedes-Benz models in my possession, going back a few years, mind you. I particularly enjoyed a 72 280 SEL, an extremely nice car to while away the hours, replete with comfortable "pleather" and real wood trim, chrome accents and, best of all, performance that belied its rather diminutive drivetrain; considering the size of the car at least. Truly, of all the Teutonic brands, Mercedes-Benz follows traditions closest, which is a good thing when it comes to staying true to its adherence to safety-first principles.

About a year and a half ago I was attending a DaimlerChrysler symposium in Washington, DC, and as part of the proceedings we were bussed (on a DCX-built Setra no less) out to Relay field to experience some hands-on drive- and passenger-time in various DaimlerChrysler products; Chrysler Group (Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep), Mercedes-Benz,

Behind the steering wheel spokes is a set of button-like paddle-shifters that liven up the new 7-speed automatic. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

and even Freightliner vehicles. During one of the tests, I rode shotgun as a Mercedes engineer demonstrated the talents of his new creation; PreSafe. While attempting to throw the ML out of control, what I soon found out would be a difficult task considering the many electronic driving aids onboard, the glass sunroof and side windows automatically closed, my seatback, which had been purposely set to the recline position, pulled itself forward and the brakes were applied with brutal, albeit composed force to bring the SUV to an immediate halt. There I found myself in the safest possible position, my body literally prepared for impact and, fortunately this only being a test, ready to be absorbed by one of Mercedes other inventions, the airbag. That a car can now think to deploy an airbag is impressive enough, but add to that brains enough to induce braking power mid-corner, rearrange my seating position and simultaneously close all the open orifices was a dramatic

The center stack not only looks good, but also delivers up a full house of features in an easy to operate package. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

example of just how far weve advanced as a species, thanks to engineers preoccupied with saving hard to come by and therefore precious Mercedes-Benz owners... and future owners... their children.

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