The
M-Class SUV might be the Swiss Army Knife in the
Mercedes-Benz lineup. It isn't so large that it's cumbersome or hard to park, but it comfortably seats five and carries plenty of stuff. As daily transportation, it doesn't feel like a truck, and it won't beat its driver or passengers up. Yet it has the potential for some fairly serious off-road adventuring, and it can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The M-Class is more than powerful enough in any of its variations, with the safety equipment, luxury accoutrements, style and smooth finish expected of a Mercedes-Benz.
For 2007, the M-Class line features two new, very different models that will further broaden its appeal: The fuel-efficient ML320 CDI diesel and the ultra-high performance ML63 AMG.
With the ML320 CDI, you can forget just about everything bad you knew about diesels. It gives up nothing to the standard, gasoline-powered ML350. It's equipped identically, except for its diesel engine. The 3.2-liter diesel V6 generates 398 pound-feet of torque, comparable to a large-displacement V8, and brings a substantial improvement in fuel economy.