Vehicle Overview

Mercedes' midsize M-Class SUV was significantly redesigned last year with exterior and interior styling changes, slight efficiency boosts, new and upgraded features and one of the first diesel models clean enough to be sold in all 50 states. The evolution of the M-Class continues for 2010 with the introduction of a hybrid model. Competitors include the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Land Rover LR4.

Exterior

Almost all the exterior changes for 2009 made the M-Class look lower and broader. The grille was lower and the fog lights were farther apart, for example. The stainless-steel skid plates — front and rear — pulled the eye downward. One exception was the side mirrors, whose signal lights grew and spread, threatening to overtake the entire mirror enclosure. The headlamps gained a new shape, and the taillights incorporated smoked lenses.

• Standard roof rails, optional crossbars
• Dual exhaust outlets
• Standard 19-inch wheels; 20- and 21-inch rims optional
• Optional front and rear parking sensors

Interior

The M-Class accommodates up to five occupants. The powered front seats include a driver's-side four-way power lumbar adjustment. A 60/40-split rear seat creates a level load surface when folded. Cargo volume totals 29.4 cubic feet with the seats up and 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The optional Comand interface — which controls the optional navigation system, the stereo and other functions — was upgraded last year with new menus and additional features.

• Optional leather-seating package
• Optional front and rear heated seats
• Optional heated steering wheel
• Optional Harman Kardon audio
• Optional backseat entertainment system with two screens

Under the Hood

Four engines are available in the M-Class. The base ML350 comes standard with rear-wheel drive, but all other M-Class models have Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. When properly equipped, an all-wheel-drive non-hybrid M-Class can tow up to 7,200 pounds.

• ML350 has a 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 268 horsepower
• ML550's V-8 makes 382 hp
• ML63 AMG gets 503 hp from a 6.2-liter V-8
• ML350 Bluetec diesel uses a 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 210 hp and 398 pounds-feet of torque
• All engines team with a seven-speed automatic transmission

Safety

Standard safety features include:

• Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes
• Electronic stability system
• Side-impact airbag
• Side curtain airbags
• Active front head restraints
• Pre-Safe, which can cinch the front seat belts and close the windows in case of a crash