Overview Opulent all-wheel-drive luxury utility vehicle
Pros Diesel engine, fuel economy, refined interior
Cons Convoluted Comand system, no touch screen, option costs
Value for money Good
What would I change? Simplify Comand by adding a touch-sensitive screen
When the M-Class debuted it was supposed to be known as the M 350 (or whatever numbers designated the engine size). However, BMW objected to the use of the M followed by numbers — it was too close to its vaunted M range. This forced Mercedes-Benz to change it to the ML 350. The confusion was, and is, that it’s listed as the M-Class and not ML-Class. In an effort to clear up the confusion and streamline its SUV naming structure, Mercedes will be dropping the M designation altogether, renaming the ML to GLE for future models.
2014 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC 4Matic
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
Regardless, after a rather wonky start (the first-gen was not a clever ride) the ML has grown in stature and popularity. Now in its third-generation it brings the right amenities and abilities demanded of a modern luxury-ute.
For example, the ML’s cabin is second to none and, in the tester’s case, it arrived loaded to the nines. The list of amenities counted power everything including a panoramic roof, very comfortable heated front buckets and the ability to tailor the driving position to a tee. One much appreciated touch was the heated/cooled cup holder ($250) — it kept my morning Joe toasty long after it would have normally cooled off.
Read more: Mercedes-Benz officially announces new naming structure
Beyond that, the tester included a number of packages that brought, among other things, navigation integrated into the convoluted Comand infotainment system, a seven-inch screen (sadly not touch-sensitive) and a delightful sound system along with some electronic helpers. This list included a park guidance system with front, rear and 360-degree views of the ML to go along with blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning systems (part of the Driving Assistance pack). I loved the former, but hated the latter because the haptic feedback was annoying — the steering wheel vibrates.
2014 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC 4Matic
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
The rear riders have little to complain about. The seat accommodates three adults in comfort, and those sitting in the outboard positions are treated to, when ordered, heated pews. Behind that there is plenty of squared-off cargo space. Power the liftgate up and with the seats upright the ML 350 makes light work of 690-litres of cargo. Folding the seats flat bumps the capacity to 2,010L. Yes, access to the latter does require the seat base be lifted before folding the seatback down, but it did serve to bring a completely flat load floor.
Recently, a reader took me to task for my love of the modern diesel engine. It was suggested I cast my mind back to the dreadful Oldsmobile diesel to see why they are the work of the devil. Then the subject of the up-front premium reared its ugly head. My response was simple: Converting a gasoline engine to run on diesel is a recipe for disaster, as GM found out first hand. As for the premium that “can never be recouped,” well, that is simply not true. Case in point — the 2015 ML 350 Bluetec costs $600 less than its ML 400 gasoline counterpart, so it starts paying the owner back from the very first kilometre.
2014 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC 4Matic
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
As employed in the ML 350, M-B’s Bluetec 3.0-litre turbodiesel is a delight and the epitome of my passion for diesels. It produces 240 horsepower and, more importantly, 455 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm, which gives it the wherewithal to pull the skin off a rice pudding without breaking a sweat. The fact the torque enters at such low revs means there’s no turbo lag whatsoever, which explains the rapidity of the run from rest to 100 kilometres an hour. At 7.3 seconds, it’s more than quick, especially given the Bluetec engine is motivating 2,285-kilograms of sports-ute and it’s capable of towing a large 3,265-kg trailer. More impressive is the fact it turned the 80 to 120 km/h trick in a very quick 5.6 seconds.
There are two other key advantages. First, the engine sounded more like a modern direct-injection gas unit than a clattery old diesel. I had the misfortune to live next door to a guy who started his aging Ford F350 diesel at 5:30 AM every morning. The noise it produced on start-up shattered the serenity of a waking world. Conversely, the ML 350’s engine started quickly, it idled smoothly and it was eerily quiet. Second is the fuel efficiency it returned. The Bluetec, in conjunction with its seven-speed manumatic complete with paddle shifters, delivered a remarkable average fuel economy of 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres. Now that’s better than many passenger cars and good for 894 km of real world driving between fill ups!
2014 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC 4Matic
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
The power is put to the pavement through M-B’s slick 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. It was fast to react to changing conditions, and it accomplished this regardless of whether it was dealing with a slippery road or a gnarly off-road rumble. The fact it was seamless in the manner in which it altered the torque distribution underscored its proficiency. A quick off-road jaunt proved the ML 350 works just as well in this environment as it does on the road. The diesel’s torque and all-wheel-drive allowed it to rumble up steep grades without labouring, while the hill-descent control eased the chore of negotiating a slippery down slope.
Dynamically, the ML 350 has a planted feel. The suspension controls unwanted body motion well without feeling firm when the road deteriorates. Throw in the electro-mechanical steering’s feel and feedback, and the ML has surprisingly accomplished road manners. The other noteworthy piece of the dynamic equation is the progressive nature of the Bluetec’s brake pedal — where many diesel-powered vehicles tend to have an awkwardly mushy pedal that’s tough to modulate, the ML’s pedal feel was crisp.
The ML 350 Bluetec is a prime example of why I hold the modern diesel engine in such high esteem. It proved to be so quiet in operation most riders did not realize it was a diesel. It also delivered wonderful fuel economy while returning a rewarding turn of speed, making it a win-win combination. Factor in the ML 350’s interior opulence and it’s not difficult to understand why the luxury sport-utility segment is so strong.
2014 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC 4Matic
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
The Specs
Type of vehicle All-wheel-drive mid-sized sports-ute
Engine 3.0L V6 Turbodiesel
Power 240 hp @ 3,600 rpm; 455 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Brakes Four-wheel disc with ABS
Tires P255/50R19
Price (base/as tested) $61,400/$71,800
Destination charge $2,075
Natural Resources Canada fuel economy (L/100 km) 11.8 city, 8.5 highway
Standard features Dual-zone automatic climate control, power locks, windows, heated mirrors, power moonroof, cruise control, 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment and three position memory, heated front seats, Artico leather, power tilt/telescopic steering, heated steering wheel, Comand with 7-inch display, AM/FM/CD/DVD/Satellite audio with SD/USB inputs and steering wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth, garage door opener, collision prevention assist, attention assist, Pre-Safe, AMG styling kit and more
Notable options Premium pack ($5,900), Leather pack ($2,450), Bi-xenon headlamp pack ($1,000), Driver Assistance pack ($800), heated/cooled cup holder ($250)
2014 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC 4Matic
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
