Category: Sporting 4x4s 
Price Range: £30,280 to £75,823
Massively improved interior quality, good ride on-road, potentially capable off-road, refined and punchy diesel V6
Feels slow-witted in bends, petrol V6 is disappointing, mushy brakes, not very roomy, expensive
Much better than the old M-Class, but no class leader. ML320 CDI is the one to have.
Loads of good stuff here beyond the usual plethora of airbags and stability systems. The structure controls its deformation under impact much better than before, so the occupants decelerate less violently, and the M-Class optionally comes with the Pre-Safe system first seen in the S-Class. This uses the ABS and ESP sensors to determine if the car is heading for a crash, based on the systems' chances of success in salvaging a skid or violent manoeuvre. If a crash is deemed inevitable, the belts are pulled taut, the electric front seats are optimally positioned and the sunroof, if fitted, is closed. Another option is Neck-Pro, an 'active head restraint' as already seen in other cars. These oppose whiplash forces in a rear-end crash. You might wonder why they aren't standard, given the M-Class's high cost, but Mercedes-Benz says the M-Class meets all current safety standards without them. So it's just for an owner's peace of mind.
Keyless Go is optional, which among other things makes the M-Class harder to steal.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Mercedes E-Class Coupe
wrote on 27 05 2006