Appealing and Rugged? The 2012 M-Class

You’ll Like This SUV

Maybe you’re a soccer mom. Maybe you’re a worker looking for a stylish and rugged car to carry your tools around in. Whatever your needs may be the 2012 M-Class appeals to all. Coming to local dealers this upcoming September, the new 2012 M-Class seeks to blend off-road versatility with the kind of on-road manners expected of a Mercedes sedan. This car can be used to bring your tools from Home Depot while accommodating your luxury needs in case of a Gala or fancy ball you’re attending. Classy and dynamic describes this third-generation SUV.

Sensible Styling

Anyone expecting a complete shift in Mercedes' design and look will be disappointed. This is a familiar-looking M-Class to our eyes, blending hints of the full-size GL and compact GLK SUVs. The famous three-pointed star continues to dominate the grille and the prominent shoulder lines lead the way to a rear that emphasizes its width with taillights that echo the 2012 E-class.

Arguably the most challenging feature is to be found to the rear of the C-pillar, where the angular surfaces give place to an eccentrically curved rear window. "We tried different solutions," says Kaul, "but we wanted to keep some of the influence of the original M-Class." No less of an influence was a desire to optimize the aerodynamics, which Mercedes claims are class-leading. Careful attention was paid to the rear spoiler, the area around the windscreen and the front fenders, which integrate subtle spoilers.

Sedan-Worthy Cabin

Jan Kaul, the manager of the interior design, admits the overall concept was deliberately conservative and reflects the car's global appeal. "The biggest markets are Germany and the United States, but China and Russia are growing fast."

According to insideline.com, the cabin mimics the S-Class interior more than ever, but seeks to assert a distinctly SUV design language that's more upright and imposing. There's the familiar mix of rotary knobs and switches, topped by a common multifunction display screen. It seems as though customers now see the M-Class as an alternative to a traditional sedan and expect a similar level of quality. While the vibe of generations one and two was more utilitarian, the emphasis here is on luxury and ornamentation. Can you tell the difference between the earlier M-Class models compared to the current ones?

As always, Mercedes is never short with its options list and owners will be able to choose from a vast array of fancy gizmos and color combinations including Napa leather for the panels and some particularly appealing Ash-Wood trim. Customers of Mercedes-Benz will be free to indulge their eccentricities because of the plethora of extra options available. If you’re interested check out MBUSA.com and you’ll see how this 2012 M-Class can be dressed up to your likes.

Regardless of its trim, every M-Class will be tailored for four passengers. Although the average M-Class owner usually carries five passengers, Mercedes states they would rather optimize the comfort of a lucky foursome. Mercedes engineer Sinkwitz was quoted saying "If you need more space, we offer the R- and GL-Class".

What’s Under Those Hoods?

When the ML goes on sale in September it will be offered with two V-6 engines: the 3.5-liter gas or the 3.0-liter turbodiesel. Both achieve something that seemed impossible five to 10 years ago: They put out more power than before, and are more fuel-efficient. The gas engine has 302 horsepower, up 34 from previous models, and 273 pound-feet torque, up 15 from previous models as well. Its fuel economy is an estimated 17 city/22 highway, and both numbers are up by 2 mpg. This SUV is surely an improvement from the earlier models. I know my Mother’s ML which is a V8 only has 268 horsepower, and fuel economy is an abysmal 12 city/17 highway. I often ask myself how such a large engine could produce so meager power. But Mercedes has upped the ante in the horsepower aspect for the newer models as needed.

The BlueTec turbodiesel six has been reworked, now putting out 240 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque, increases of 30 and 55 from the previous model, respectively, while fuel economy improves by 2 city mpg to an estimated 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway. Not so bad for a decently sized SUV. This particular trims fuel economy numbers are comparable to that of mid-sized sedan. The fuel economy improvements in the diesel model can be attributed to a few key factors, including weight loss, and the use of AMG's twin-wire-arc spraying, a technology that reduces friction. Both engines are now pulled by a seven-speed automatic.

On Road Driving Features

One of the design goals Mercedes focused on with this model was to improve on-road driving dynamics while not sacrificing off-road capability. One new feature, which isn't coming to the U.S. right away, is a very sophisticated On & Off-road Package, which has at its core multiple settings. This is much like the systems in the LR4 and Grand Cherokee: Drivers control the dial and can choose between six settings: automatic, off-road 1 (light terrain) and 2 (tougher terrain), winter, sport, and trailer.  While this is available in European models, there's still debate about whether this system will come to the United States models. We all hope it does as it will enhance the dynamic nature this car already has. One thing potential buyers should be aware of is that the 2012 M-Class will come is the Active Curve System, which uses active anti-roll bars said to improve comfort when driving in a straight line, and prioritize better handling when cornering. However, at the dealer this feature will be initially being offered as a special order feature.