A year after its 2006 redesign, the Mercedes Benz M-Class adds a diesel ML320 CDI version and a high-performance petrol ML63 AMG to its model lineup for 2007. The new–age M-Class SUV has muscular and aggressive, wedge shape design cues, luxurious interiors, and is the ideal all-weather family vehicle.

This five-passenger SUV is available in four models: ML350, ML320 CDI, ML500, and ML63 AMG. The ML320 CDI is a diesel-powered model that forks out 215 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The sporty 503 hp ML63 AMG displays an AMG signature grille, flared fenders, AMG side skirts, aggressive front and rear aprons, and twin exhaust notes. The interior is definitely sporty with AMG sport seats, leather steering wheel, AMG graphics, AMG doorsills, leather dash, and steel pedals.

It is loaded with state-of-the-art features, standard among which is the Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) and the Hill-Start Assist. An Air Suspension Package is one among the many optional packages offered for this model year.

The M-Class has a basic warranty of 48 months or 50,000 miles. Competitors in its class comprise of the Volvo XC90, the Volkswagen Touareg, the Subaru B9 Tribeca, the Lincoln Aviator, and the BMW X5.

The ML350 is equipped with a 3.5-liter (L) 268 horsepower (hp) V-6 engine with 258 pound-feet (lb-ft.) of torque. Acceleration is 0 to 60 in 7.9 seconds and EPA estimated fuel economy amounts to 17/21 mpg (city/highway).

The ML320 CDI gets an efficient 215 hp 3.0L V-6 diesel engine with 4MATIC™ permanent 4-wheel drive. It generates 398 lb-ft. of torque and has an EPA estimated fuel economy of 21/27 (city/highway).

The ML500 retains the preceding year’s 5.0L V-8 engine that generates 302 hp and 339 lb-ft. of torque. It gives an acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and an EPA estimated mileage of 14/19 mpg (city/highway).

A 7-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is standard across the ML350, ML320 CDI, and ML500. This transmission comes with a Direct Select shifter, which provides convenient selection during Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive modes. A touch shift mechanism allows manual downshifts and upshifts in Drive mode.

The ML63 AMG model is powered by an inspirational 6.3L 32-valve V-8 engine that produces 503 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. This engine is coupled with an AMG SPEEDSHIFT™ 7-speed automatic transmission that also has a Direct Select shifter and a touch shift mechanism. This AMG model sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and has an EPA estimated fuel economy of 12/16 mpg (city/highway).

The standard 4MATIC permanent full-time 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system performs exceptionally well on snowy winter roads. Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) automatically regulates the throttle, brakes, and anti-lock braking system (ABS) to maintain and control speed while descending on hill tracks. A hill-start assist avoids unwanted rollback when starting the vehicle on an incline. All four models have a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class is sleek and aerodynamic, with a car-like feel. The SUV retains some of its earlier strapping build, with more prominent wheel arches and a new character line that slants upward to the rear. The C-pillar slants forward leading to a new trapezoidal side glass panel.

The ML350 and the ML320 CDI feature a plush five-passenger cabin, projector-beam headlamps, and 7-spoke 17-inch wheels. The ML500 sports 18-inch wheels and chiseled contours with chrome accents. The ML63 AMG has chunky athletic curves built for speed, a black chrome AMG grille, flared wheel arches, stainless-steel running boards, dual exhaust notes, and 20-inch AMG 5-spoke light-alloy wheels.

Standard exterior features include fog lamps, light-sensing headlamps, a power liftgate, all-season tires, a full-size spare tire, power window lockout, intermittent rear wiper/washer, rear window defroster, neutral tinted glass, variable intermittent windshield wipers, color-keyed front and rear bumpers, front air dam, color keyed body side molding, roof rails, and a rear air dam.

The M-Class has an elegant and plush interior décor, done up tastefully with acute attention to form and function. It has an uncluttered and roomy feel to it with plenty of headroom and legroom even for tall passengers.

Comfortable and supportive bolstered seats are a standard feature on the ML500, while the ML350s can avail them as an optional feature. The ML63 AMG model comes with multicontour seats. All models come with 8-way power adjustable front seats with adjustable lumbar support for the driver’s seat. The ML500 comes with standard heated front seats. Build and material quality is exemplary. All models come in standard MB-Tex upholstery, except the ML63 AMG model that comes in AMG-designed Nappa leather upholstery and AMG floor mats. A leather trimmed steering wheel is standard across all models.

The M-Class offers a cargo capacity of 29.4 cubic feet when the rear seats are in use. This space can be increased to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, which is considerably lesser than what was available in the previous model year.

Standard interior features include 60/40 split folding rear seats, a lockable and illuminated glove box, a lower storage console, 4 cup-holders, a 12-volt power outlet, seatback pockets, a rear armrest storage, an AM/FM radio with eight speakers, cruise control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, rear HVAC ducts, a dual-zone climate control, and carpeted floor mats.

The M-Class is agile and sure-footed, it is able to cope with a variety of conditions delivering premium ride comfort overall. An optional air-spring suspension gives forth a smooth and hugely responsive riding experience. It grips the track firmly and takes a turn like a veteran with minimal body roll.

The M-Class rides on an independent double wishbone front suspension with upper arms and lower arms in addition to an anti-dive geometry and a stabilizer bar. The rear comprises of an independent 4-arm multilink suspension system with upper arms and an anti-squat geometry with alignment control and a stabilizer bar.

The V-8 engines bring more muscle to the Mercedes SUV collection and the 7-speed automatic transmission adds certain spunk to the driving experience.

The M-Class scored five stars (the best) in frontal and side-impact crash tests conducted by the NHTSA. It rated four stars for rollover resistance.

The SUV has an impressive array of safety features such as a driver airbag, front side airbags, side head curtain airbags, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, a passenger airbag cutoff sensor, front and rear crumple zones, pretensioners with force limiters, side guard door beams, anti-theft via alarm, anti-lift sensor, an engine immobilizer, and a panic alarm.

The M-Class is equipped with an optional “Pre-Safe" system, which uses sensors in the stability control and brake assist system to determine the possibility of an accident. It then utilizes pre-programmed emergency measures for the safety of the occupants.