Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML 350 CDI

M-Class ML 350 CDI Review

The highly reputed automobile giant Mercedes India had launched this admirable Mercedes Benz ML Class Car in the Indian car market sometime back. This refined and muscular Sports Utility Vehicle was first showcased at the 2012 Automobile Expo that was held in New Delhi. After a wait of a few months the company launched this elegant New Mercedes Benz ML Class for the keenly waiting Indian customers. This Germany based international luxury car maker, Mercedes Benz has a brilliant fleet of vehicles across the world. Their fully owned Indian ancillary, Mercedes Benz India has been doing quite well in the luxury vehicle segment of the Indian car market place. They have quite a few enchanting vehicles in their stable and one such outstanding SUV is their Mercedes Benz ML Class. This Mercedes Benz ML Class India has been blessed with an efficient and commanding engine along with the best in class features in its segment. The Mercedes Benz ML 350 CDI has brought in the third generation series of these M Class vehicles in the country’s car market. The vehicles made by Mercedes are much admired across all the car markets in the world and are acclaimed to be one of the leading luxury vehicles in the Indian automobile bazaar as well. This New Mercedes Benz ML Class is a third generation model and is a high performance and power packed SUV. The Mercedes Benz ML 350 CDI is laden with many sophisticated comfort and safety aspects along with some highly developed gadgets to amaze the Indian buyers. The power train in this formidable SUV is a 3.0 L diesel mill that has the highly acclaimed common rail technology and is cleverly mated with a seven speed automatic transmission gear box, which has smoother and very efficient gear shifts. Some of the most impressive and advanced comfort features of this new Mercedes Benz ML Class SUV include a three zone air conditioning unit with climate control, an eco start stop ignition system, parking assistance, voice operated linguatronic controls, an sophisticated music system with various input interfaces along with Bluetooth connectivity and many more such urbane and best in class features. The safety aspect has been looked after as well and the company has integrated this muscular SUV with some highly developed and top of the line safety functions such as nine air bags, off road mode, hill descent control, attention assist, a parktronic system and many more such crucial safety features as well.

Exteriors

The Mercedes Benz ML Class Exteriors have been done up gracefully with some incredible features such as a longer and wider bodyline than its predecessor. The wheel base is impressive and the interiors have lots of room for comfortable seating of the occupants. The front radiator grille has a spanking new design and looks much bolder and aggressive along with a curvier head light cluster, which is powered with high intensity lamps. Below the front grille is a large perforated air dam that is flanked by a couple of LED day time running light strips on both sides. The front chin of this massive SUV gets a glossy chrome treatment, which further makes it look classy and aristocratic. The side profile has pronounced wheel arches, which are fitted with a set of exclusive yet robust 20 inch five spoke AMG alloy wheels, which have been fitted with sturdy tubeless radial tyres of size 265/45 R20, while the body colored external rear view mirrors get double strips LED light based side turn blinkers. While the body colored door handles and character lines add to the sportiness of this colossal SUV. The step boards on both the sides gets aluminum finish and a good grip, while the sleek and stylish roof rails also adds to the stylishness of this new Mercedes Benz ML 350 CDI. The rear end is more dynamic and lively with LED lights based brilliant and large tail lamp cluster, which are bigger and more stretched than the previous model. The rear body colored bumper is hefty and gets a chrome scruff plate for avoiding any damage during off roading.

The overall dimensions of this roomy SUV are very comfortable and relaxing. The total length of this new Mercedes Benz ML 350 CDI is a mammoth 4804mm along with an overall width of 2141mm, which includes the protruding external rear view mirrors. The overall height of this massive SUV is 1796mm, while it also has a spacious wheel base 2915mm, which is quite remarkable. The company is offering this latest entrant in quite a number of lustrous exterior paint options such as Tanzanite Blue, Palladium Silver, Citrine Brown and a magnificent looking Obsidian Black.

Interiors

On the other hand, the Mercedes Benz ML 350 CDI Interiors are luxuriant and the company has fitted this SUV with some top of the line comfort and safety features along with plush upholstery for the seats and a fantastic décor. On the whole, this New Mercedes Benz ML 350 CDI seems to be a perfect combination of driving dynamics with outstanding comfort and pleasure. Some of the incredible interior features of this new SUV are a media interface, leather wrapped steering wheel, ambient lighting, door sill panels with ‘Mercedes Benz’ lettering that is making this SUV look exclusive and refined. The seating arrangement is extremely comfortable with well cushioned seats, which are covered with premium leather upholstery that is available in a few shades to choose from. The company has given a lot of attention to the smallest details, so that this SUV can give the passengers an outstanding driving pleasure. The rear seats are foldable to accommodate extra luggage, but at the same time this SUV also has a good luggage compartment, which can store quite a few things in it. There are more than a few storage spaces to keep a lot of small things handy such as bottle and cup holders, a large glove box, map and magazine pockets and many more such spaces. This stylish SUV also has arm rests to give the passengers, a superior and luxuriant driving pleasure.

Engine and Performance

This powerful drive train is a 3.0 litre mill with 6 cylinders and is optimized by the renowned common rail technology . This turbocharged drive train can displace close to 2987cc and can deliver a peak power of 258 Bhp at 3600 Rpm combined with a pounding torque of 619 Nm at 1600 – 2400 Rpm. The company has also bestowed the Blue Efficiency diesel technology into this commanding engine and it has been cleverly mated with a 7G-Tronic automatic transmission gear box, which selects the gears directly to make sure optimum acceleration and greater pulling power as well. The top speed of this formidable SUV is around 221 kmph and the Mercedes Benz ML Class can reach from a standstill to 100 kmph in just about 8.3 seconds . The company claims that the mileage of this Mercedes Benz M Class ML 350 CDI is between 12 to 14 kmpl and this SUV is also fitted with an ECO Start – Stop ignition function for enhancing the mileage and reducing the fuel consumption.

Braking and Handling

This latest Mercedes Benz ML 350 CDI has been equipped with a 4MATIC all wheel drive system, which comes in as standard equipment. This helps in better handling and maneuvering of this massive SUV. The braking system is very proficient and the company has also added quite a few other functions as well such as ABS with EBD, ESP, a highly advanced attention assist function to keep the driver alert, an active curve system and a host of other such functions, which help in keeping this Mercedes Benz M Class ML 350 CDI as well as all the passengers safe and secure.

Safety Features

The Safety aspect of this new Mercedes Benz M Class ML 350 CDI is one of the best across the globe. The standard equipment includes a class leading nine airbags for enhanced protection of all the passengers. Then there is the sophisticated Attention Assist function that keeps the driver alert, a Blind Spot Assist for better maneuvering and handling of this muscular SUV, a Lane Departure Warning System that helps in driving in the same lane. Then there are the standard safety features like the Anti lock Braking System along with Electronic Brake force Distribution and brake assist for superior and efficient braking on any terrain. This Mercedes Benz M Class ML 350 CDI also has an Electronic Stability Program that keeps it stable and well balanced along with quite a number of other such electronic systems that make certain that the vehicle remains in control at all times. There is also an onboard COMMAND system, an Active Curve System which allows for greater directional stability in tighter and slippery corners as well. All these and many more features help in keeping this new SUV along with its occupants very safe and protected.

Comfort Features

This is one of the most premium SUVs from the stables of Mercedes Benz India and the company has bestowed some of the most impressive and top of the line comfort features in it to lure the customers. This Mercedes Benz M Class ML 350 CDI comfort features include a THERMOTRONIC automatic three climate zone control air conditioner, which allows the driver, the front co-passenger and also the rear seat passengers to choose their customized temperatures in their respective areas. This SUV also has a remote operated tailgate, an active parking assist for simpler parking along with a reversing camera with guidelines that show up in the display. There is also an electric sliding sun roof, front seats can be adjustable and customized according to the needs of the driver and the co-passenger and the positions can also be saved. This Mercedes Benz ML 350 CDI also has a an sophisticated music system with speaker and various input interfaces such as USB, Aux-in along with Bluetooth connectivity to pair mobile phones as well. All these and many more such comfort features make this latest Mercedes Benz ML 350 CDI, one of the most impressive and alluring SUVs in its segment.

Pros

Impressive exteriors, loaded interiors with advanced safety and comfort features, a powerful and performance packed engine.

Cons

High cost of ownership, mileage can be made better.