Mercedes-Benz M-Class (2008-) Review

On the road

• Previous: Reliability and Quality
• Next: Safety and Security

The new upgraded Sport trim is an attempt to attract younger buyers, normally seen in more sporting SUVs such as the Range Rover Sport and the BMW X5. So how does it fare?

Well, let's start with the 'Sport' tag. Mercedes hasn't tuned the suspension to make it any sportier, instead giving adding 20" wheels to beef up the aesthetic aggression. This means the M-Class Sport's dynamics barely differ from the SE, other than a slight increase in turn-in grip. Nevertheless, the ML is still quite capable cross-country, even on bumpy B-roads.

The M-Class still doesn't quite meet the challenge of its sportier rivals. Both the X5 and Range Rover Sport maintain better body control with less roll angles, while being blessed with more accurate steering.

As far as the engines go, our pick of the range is still the 221bhp version of the 3.0-litre V6. Against the clock the ML320 CDi goes from 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds, topping out at 134mph. This is significantly quicker than the cheaper 187bhp ML280 CDi, which hits 62mph in 9.8 seconds.

But it's the added torque of the more powerful engine that really makes the difference. The ML320 CDi delivers its maximum 376lb-ft (51lb-ft more than the less powerful ML280 CDi) at a lowly 1,600rpm, giving the ML a useful extra shove for overtaking.

For those who need even more acceleration we recommend the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 diesel over the ML500 petrol alternative, mainly because of the ML420 CDi's huge reserves of pulling power that dwarf even the petrol's best efforts (516lb-ft v 391lb-ft).

Finishing off the range is the £77,000 ML63 AMG. The performance and handling is so far removed from the rest of the M-Class range that we'll be reviewing this in a separate road test - and giving it an award for 4x4 lunacy.