Mercedes-Benz M-Class Overview

• MSRP Range: $45,700 - $91,050
• Fuel Economy: - TBD - MPG city / - TBD - MPG highway
• Seating capacity: 5
• Basic Warranty:
  
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    Basic: 4 Years/50,000 Miles

  
  
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    Drivetrain: 4 Years/50,000 Miles

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    Corrosion: 4 Years/50,000 Miles

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    Roadside Assistance: Unlimited Years/Unlimited Miles

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz M-Class has our favorite blend of dynamic style and performance, but it's tough to overlook the Infiniti FX50 for drama at first sight and behind the wheel. It's quick and sexy in a way the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne simply aren'tl those kissing cousins appear dowdy, but their five-seat cabins feel sturdy and they're great off-roaders-plus, the Cayenne Turbo comes with scalding amounts of thrust. The BMW X5 is the Mercedes-Benz M-Class's closest competitor-in fact, just the state of Georgia separates the Mercedes factory in Alabama from the BMW factory in South Carolina. The X5 offers a third-row seat, but it has more sedate styling and lacks the performance character of BMW's cars. The Jeep Grand Cherokee won't satisfy anyone seeking status or richly rendered build quality, but its throbbing HEMI-powered SRT8 edition will lay a scorching stripe down any street-or trail.

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class is tough enough for light off-roading and has serious towing ability, yet it's spacious enough for four or five adults and has a smooth ride. With the new ML320 Bluetec diesel and the upcoming ML450 Hybrid, the M-Class lineup will have become much more fuel-efficient without sacrificing performance or capability. But for those who want top performance, the ML63 AMG, with its 503-hp V8 remains the king of the lineup.