2008 Mercedes-Benz M [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 45 M reviews and test drives.
Mercedes-Benz M - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz M ranks 6 out of 15 Luxury Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 45 published reviews and test drives of the Mercedes-Benz M, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The M-Class delivers luxury and confident handling but can't match the base power or reliability of others in its class and gets a middle-of-the-pack ranking.
Though it comes with a high sticker price, buyers looking for a spacious interior, reasonable off-road performance, and plenty of modern, high-tech amenities will find the M-Class ideal. "Traveling nearly 200 miles through the foothills of the Virginia mountains, we fell in love with the new M. Flat out, it's exactly what a first-class sport utility should be," says MarketWatch, concluding that: "The ML500's one of the best sport utility vehicles we have tested." Since it was just redesigned in 2006, the M-Class gets few changes for 2008. Most notable is that the ML500 gets a more powerful V8 engine and is now called the ML550.
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is available in several trims: the base ML350, the diesel-powered ML320 CDI, the ML550 and the ultra-premium ML63 AMG.
- "[T]he M-Class covers all the luxury utility bases and then some. So, we do think the 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is once again the class leader. And even if the distance is less than the original, rivals will still be playing catch-up for years to come." -- Motor Week
- "The new M series drives better and feels more refined than the earlier model, but for the price doesn't provide the luxury and amenities I'd expect. For the price there are many other fine SUVs in this market - Acura MDX and Subaru Tribeca among them!" -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- "Highly improved and now with a decent record for reliability, the M-Class continues as one of the premium class acts in the SUV world." -- Arizona Republic
M Performance - 7.7 (Good)
Reviews are generally positive about the performance of the 2008 Mercedes M-Class, which includes the world's first-ever seven-speed automatic transmission in an SUV. "Its ride is smoother and its handling is more poised than the best of Detroit's truck-based sport utilities," says the New York Times. Continue with our full Performance Review to learn which of the M-Class' model and engine choices may be the right one for you. continue
M Exterior - 7.8 (Good)
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class receives good scores for its exterior. Car and Driver says, "The 2006 M-class is no longer a stubby, high-riding box on wheels. This new version is a much more graceful truck with longer and wider proportions, a flowing roofline, and prominent wheel housings." Continue with our full Exterior Review to learn how the exterior trims differ, or check out our Mercedes-Benz M-Class Photo Gallery to see it for yourself. continue
M Interior - 7.5 (Good)
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class gets many good reviews for its five-seat interior, which is spacious, comfortable and high-quality. The New York Times reports that the M-Class' "high roof and huge windows make the cabin as comfortable and scenic as many vans." Continue with our Interior Review to learn why auto writers praise the front seats but have mixed reactions about the rear sears, or check out our Mercedes-Benz M-Class interior photos. continue
M Safety - 9.8 (Excellent)
The 2008 Mercedes M-Class does very well in federal government crash tests. It also features a long list of standard safety features. The 2007 model was the first SUV in the country to offer the Mercedes Pre-Safe system, which helps prepare the vehicle and passengers if it senses an impending crash. Continue with our full Safety Review to learn about some of the optional safety features, including a Parktronic system and Lighting Package. continue
M Reliability - 9.0 (Excellent)
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz M reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The M-Class comes with the Mercedes limited warranty, which runs for 48 months or 50,000 miles. Continue with our full Reliability Review to learn about quality glitches that have plagued the Mercedes brand. continue