Used 2011 Mercedes-Benz M-Class for sale 

The Mercedes-Benz M Class is offered in a single trim level with various engine and performance options available. The price of the base 2WD ML350 starts at $46,490 and comes with a lot of interior features, most of which are convenience and comfort features. The SUV also comes with an advanced TeleAid emergency telematics service that comes in handy in any emergency situation.

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We would recommend you go for the base 4x2 version of the SUV. Given its mild off-roading capabilities it is quite useless to have the 4x4 system for city driving and highway cruising since it delivers a lower fuel economy too. 

The Mercedes-Benz ML350 is powered by a 3.5liter V6 motor and it churns out a maximum of 268 horsepower and 258lb-ft of torque. The motor possesses excellent tuning and is super quiet in city driving conditions. Highway cruising is also quite effortless if you take it easy.

The motor might feel underpowered if you want brisk acceleration and quick overtakes. When fully loaded, the motor might seem to struggle a bit but the 7-speed automatic transmission smoothens out everything with a little delay. The ML550 does offer a better performance improvement with a big V8 motor but has much lower fuel economy ratings.

The BMW X5 is quite a strong contender among the three and with its turbocharged straight-6 motor, it offers a strong performance among the three on the list. The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with the biggest motor here on paper and has the added practicality of flex-fuel.

SUVs were never quite friendly with the term “excellent fuel economy” and the ML350 is no exception here. However, considering the size of both the SUV and its powertrain, it doesn’t disappoint in this aspect. The SUV returns a maximum of 16mpg within the city and 20mpg out on the highway. The combined rating stands at 18mpg.

The BMW X5 35i impresses the most with its fuel economy considering it is the most powerful among the lot. It takes full advantage of its economical engine configuration and drivetrain. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is also quite close to the X5 in terms of fuel economy ratings making the ML350 the least economical one.

The interior of the M Class features a conventional styling with a cockpit-style dashboard design. There are ample leather and high-quality metal trims all around the cabin, giving it a plush appeal.

The front seats are very comfortable with more than adequate cushioning and come with the convenience of multiple adjustment options. The rear seats are quite comfortable, even for big adults as well. There is no lack of headroom, legroom, and knee room inside the cabin of the SUV.

The BMW X5 falls a bit short in terms of front headroom but is as spacious as the M Class and comes with an equally appealing and comfortable interior too. The Jeep Grand Cherokee might fall a bit short in front of the German rivals in terms of a plush cabin but it blends practicality and comfort equally.

Infotainment

The infotainment system of the Mercedes-Benz M Class SUV is quite tech-loaded. It comes with the brand’s COMAND voice or knob-driven control for standard Bluetooth connectivity and audio controls. Other features include an auxiliary audio jack; an AM/FM/CD player with MP3 capability. The premium package adds a navigation system with inbuilt hard drive storage for music and navigation maps.

Some highlighted features of the infotainment system are:

• AM/FM/CD player
• MP3 player
• COMAND voice recognition
• Sirius radio
• 610-watt Harman Kardon Logic7 audio
• Rear-sear DVD entertainment system

The Mercedes-Benz M Class looks like a proper soft-roader with its crosshatch front grille design. It certainly looks more slaying than the previous generation with its sloping roofline and semi-circular fenders.

The sculpted design on the side-profile makes it all the way back to the blacked-out C-pillar, giving the back glass a floating look and the rear bumper accentuates the design nicely. The taillights are rather small in proportion to the body but don't look out of place.

Among the three on the list, the Grand Cherokee has the best ground clearance making it more off-road friendly than the German rivals. The M Class is the most compact one in terms of overall length and comes with a decent ground clearance too. The X5 is also at par with the two on the list but features a more attractive design language.

Safety is a strong point of the Mercedes-Benz M Class since it comes with a long list of safety features as standard. The crash ratings from the NHTSA is missing for this SUV barring a 4-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS rated it as “Good” which translates to a strong safety aspect. The list of standard safety aids include standard dual front, side and curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control. The SUV’s PRE-SAFE anticipates accidents by tightening seat belts and preparing the brakes, which is also standard.

The important safety features of the SUV are listed below:

• dual front, side and curtain airbags
• anti-lock brakes
• traction and stability control
• PRE-SAFE system
• TPMS
• Rear-view camera(optional)
• Parking sensors(optional)

Keeping aside the performance-oriented versions of the M Class SUV, the standard SUV is an excellent option for a premium daily driving utility vehicle that doesn’t compromise comfort and features for anything else. Its raw performance might not be its strongest point but it can happily munch miles with five people onboard without visiting the gas station frequently. To sum it up, the SUV has all the qualities of becoming your best friend both for city driving needs and highway cruising.