Among German sport-utility
vehicles (SUV), the Mercedes- Benz M-class is the only one that feels
somewhat unGerman. In fact, it feels a little American - it is burly,
it offers a cushy ride and it prefers going in a straight line to
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. The
Porsche Cayenne is also known for its urban agility.
Being different, the M-class has carved itself a niche. Given its
softer nature, it is arguably the most comfortable German SUV in the
premium segment.
Believe it or not, this actually suits many people. They can go over
speed bumps without a care and badly patched roads are not an issue.
The last M-class we drove was the ML350. While we could not complain
about its level of refinement, 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 that engine churns out 306bhp and 370Nm, it always needed to be stretched to make any real progress.
It did not help that full torque figure is available only from a
relatively high engine speed of 3,500rpm. Also, the vehicle's quoted
century sprint time of 7.6 seconds was rather optimistic - it felt like
it took two seconds longer than that.
Mercedes-Benz has now 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 unit packs 333bhp and 480Nm, substantially more than what the
ML350 had. Peak torque is available from just 1,400rpm - exactly what
the imposing SUV needs.
Indeed, piloting the ML400 is more enjoyable. Thanks to its punchier
low- end performance, it is easier to plug gaps in traffic when driving
in town.
The power plant seems quieter too, but it does emit a throaty growl as it approaches 6,000rpm.
There is little need to be aggressive with the throttle pedal on expressway runs, as this SUV accelerates quite effortlessly.
Even if it does not feel as quick as its declared 6.1-second century sprint time suggests, it is streets ahead of the ML350.
Its handling remains unchanged, though. Thanks to its comfort-biased
suspension, chucking the ML400 into corners feels like steering a
fishing trawler into stormy waters.
To mitigate this, you would have to pay $14,800 more for Active
Curve System, which adds active stabilisers to help reduce body roll
when cornering or driving off-road.
However, the system cannot be fitted unless you opt for the $8,000 Airmatic air-suspension package.
Forking out an extra $22,000 or so is not a problem if you are
shopping in this segment. But in our opinion, a luxury SUV with an
asking price of more than $340,000 should already have such features.
Fortunately, the ML400's cabin is relatively faultless. It has a generous array of storage compartments, like a good SUV.
And while its infotainment system is older and has fewer functions than some of the newer models, it is more user- friendly.
In fact, the only issue we had over our three-day test drive was
with the door sill running boards. Although they give the vehicle a
rugged appearance, they are so narrow that it 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. They
are happy merely to look like they could.
Specs
MERCEDES-BENZ ML400
Price: $348,888 with COE
Engine: 2,996cc 24-valve V6 turbocharged
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic with manual select
Power: 333bhp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 480Nm at 1,400-4,000rpm
0-100kmh: 6.1 seconds
Top speed: 250kmh
Fuel consumption: 9.1 litres/100km
