Mercedes ML 350 CDI of 231 CV 4Matic, road test (Part III)

A few weeks ago we got behind the wheel of the Mercedes ML equipped with the 350 CDI diesel engine with 231 CV, a model that also had 4Matic all-wheel drive, and this engine was paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox, 7G-Tronic.

The behaviour stands out for its power and comfort on the road, the smoothness offered above all by its V6 engine, while effortlessly moving the ML’s more than 2 tonnes of weight. We covered all of this in the first part, as well as consumption, performance and the engine.

In the second part we looked at the design, which has barely changed since the second generation was launched, and we also focused on its interior, which is high quality with space as the dominant theme. Now we arrive at the third part, where, as usual, we will look at the standard equipment, the safety equipment and the specific equipment of our test unit, as well as the overall assessment of the model and prices.

Equipment

Safety is paramount in a car’s equipment, which is why we start by reviewing this section of the ML: as standard it features front airbags with two deployment levels, driver and passenger side airbags, knee airbag and curtain airbags, stability control, trailer stabilisation (with ABS, ASR and BAS), plus the PRE-SAFE system.

We will dwell a little on this system, Mercedes which was introduced on the S-Class in 2006, and basically when the car detects an imminent collision thanks to the sensors of the ESP and ABS (such as during emergency braking or loss of stability), it then prepares the car, tensioning the seat belts, moving the front passenger seat back, raising the seat backrests if they are folded down, closing the sunroof if it is open, all with the aim of reducing the effects of a possible accident.

With all of this in terms of safety, we are talking about a car that has the latest advances in occupant protection, on a par with an S-Class for example. Meanwhile, in the EuroNCAP crash test it has achieved the coveted five stars, with a remarkable level of protection.

We have already seen all the standard safety equipment fitted to the ML, and now it is time to talk about the rest of the equipment. The most notable is the optional Grand Edition pack (3,990 euros) which, thanks to this special trim, since the model is already in the final stretch of its commercial life, gives us an AMG steering wheel, leather interior upholstery, leather-wrapped dashboard, LED daytime running lights, 19-inch alloy wheels, AMG exterior grille, among other elements.

Another equipment option that is highly recommended if we are going to use the car off-road is the Off-road Technical Package, which includes differential lock control, underbody protection, a reduction gear, and greater ground clearance. In our test unit it has been complemented with the Airmatic suspension, with adaptive dampers and air suspension with level control.

Thanks to these two elements we find ourselves facing a true 4×4, capable of tackling obstacles that other vehicles of its size would not be able to. That is why it is a recommended pack if we are going to use the car off-road.

Among the improvable elements, we find the navigation system (Comand APS), which is complete in its functions but already shows the passage of time, and for a system that costs 3,500 euros it is a perfectly dispensable extra.

Prices

We have available an S-Class ML from 59,000 euros, the 300 CDI with 204 CV. Meanwhile, our unit starts at 64,250 euros, and the petrol range starts at 63,300 euros with the 350 4Matic of 272 CV.

That said, if we add up the extras of our test unit, the price rises to 83,818 euros, a price within the norm for this type of vehicle, but one that can be reduced by dispensing with some of the optional equipment.

Overall Assessment

Before the new generation of the Mercedes ML arrived, we wanted to test the current one as a reference for a model that has been very well received on the market and that has surprised us with its capabilities. Since we are not only facing a luxury 4×4, its quality is beyond doubt, but it also lets us leave the asphalt to enjoy tracks and paths that are somewhat more demanding.

Another point to consider about the ML is its comfort: it has nothing to envy from a luxury saloon, offering ample space and a similar level of comfort, making it an ideal vehicle for travelling. And in terms of protection it has the same safety as an S-Class, and although it is already a veteran model on the market, it features advanced systems such as PRE-SAFE.

On the other hand, we have the engine, a 231 CV V6 diesel, an engine that stands out more for its smoothness than for its performance, since we must not forget that we are dealing with a car that weighs over two tonnes, and that is noticeable. But in return we get a firm response (calm in most cases), and whenever we need a bit more power by pressing the accelerator, the car responds with force.

On the other side of the scale, we have the prices. This is a premium vehicle and it is normal for the bill to be high, as are the extras, but there are some very expensive extras (such as the navigation system), especially considering how it performs. Moreover, in some areas of the interior we find plastics that detract from an otherwise remarkable finish.

That said, although the replacement for the ML is close, the current one remains a very interesting vehicle, with notable off-road qualities and a high level of quality.

Photos | David Taboada and test team