Spy Photos: 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML in the Arctic

Is there still a market for these large SUVs?

I wouldn't say the Mercedes lineup is universally attractive. The C-Class looks cheap inside and out. The E-Class' chrome front round cornering and fog lamps look almost as out of place on the front as those squinty ES 350-like tail lights do on the back. The CLS isn't aging well; the R-Class is a visual abomination, the SL's headlights don't fit the rest of the car, and that leaves the ML, which isn't too bad. The CL is achingly beautiful - they definitely nailed that design. But in no way does the brand get a universal thumbs up on design. No way. Oh, and I forgot about the S-Class' wheel arches, which are just not right any way you slice it!

The GL is not too bad either -- for a ginormous SUV.

^Matt .. you must be crazy! Mercedes-Benz has improved vastly over what they were doing after they merged with Chrysler. M-B went though a bad decade .. but quality is back up .. and they are returning to more squared-off designs that they championed. The E-Classes taillamps are an ode to the 80's/early 90's designs.

CLS still looks fresh, SLK looks great (front reminds you of the SLR-McLaren), C-Class is soo much better than the previous generation (its a matter of opinion but I think the interior is not cheap inside or out) .. every model (except the R-Class .. i'll give you that) is outstanding.

And dogbolter .. The ML Class is the midsize SUV ... and there is still money to be made in the segment. The updated engines should be more efficient and powerful as well.

It'll go up against the re-designed Lexus RX, Cadillac SRX, VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne

.. and the ML is actually not that big. Compared to the Chevy Tahoe/Suburban, Escalade, Navigator & Range Rover it is small. The real question is will they update the GL.

^Matt .. you must be crazy! Mercedes-Benz has improved vastly over what they were doing after they merged with Chrysler. M-B went though a bad decade .. but quality is back up .. and they are returning to more squared-off designs that they championed. The E-Classes taillamps are an ode to the 80's/early 90's designs.

CLS still looks fresh, SLK looks great (front reminds you of the SLR-McLaren), C-Class is soo much better than the previous generation (its a matter of opinion but I think the interior is not cheap inside or out) .. every model (except the R-Class .. i'll give you that) is outstanding.

And dogbolter .. The ML Class is the midsize SUV ... and there is still money to be made in the segment. The updated engines should be more efficient and powerful as well.

It'll go up against the re-designed Lexus RX, Cadillac SRX, VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne

.. and the ML is actually not that big. Compared to the Chevy Tahoe/Suburban, Escalade, Navigator & Range Rover it is small. The real question is will they update the GL.

I disagree almost 100% Matt310.

The new C-class interior/exterior is excellent and it'll be our next purchase to replace the previous gen C-class. I can say that when I go to a MB dealership I like almost every curve and component of their cars. Not that I buy them new; you buy a low mile 2-year-old MB and that's a deal.

Recently, companies like Cadillac have launched some of the nicest (most cozy?) interiors but the style and material of the MB interior is exactly what I want in a car.

The driver appears to be looking at the camera with a "Was ist los?" expression on his face.

Part of the awesome thing about being auto enthusiasts is that we can all share our opinions. I stand by my original comment regarding the lack of universal appeal with the MB lineup. It's simple. MB has some ugly cars on their dealership lots. They have some very beautiful ones, too (CL*, previous-gen CLK and CLK Black, etc)

To address the call-out about the C-class, I think the exterior has too many hard lines for such a relatively small vehicle, and the plastics used in the interior, specifically the center stack area, are sub-par. That means they're hollow, not soft-touch, and creak when they're touched, as they did in the C350 I rented in Germany last summer. For this price point, with as many options as there are in this class, the C-Class redesign was a huge letdown for me. Had I liked it I would have purchased the C63 AMG over my current vehicle.

Problem is, matt speaks the truth about the C class
I`ve read criticisms about the sub par interior of that model.
Now, if you eventually go and seat there and you like it, thats another topic.
And whoever said this are large suvs, no way, the ML aint a large one. He must be living in the MINI world LOL!

Mercedes is moving in the right direction in the style department. However I'm not sure if this ML will be better than the recently redesigned Lexus RX350 which is the class leader at this time. What do you all think?

Mercedes is doing well. Their product line-up has been very attractive as of late. Nice design philosophy, a return to the quality of the early-90's and a total excision of all things Chrysler has served the Benz line-up well.

@ natew

I would not say “vastly” is the correct word to describe improvements with Mercedes after they sold Chrysler. Have they improved? Yes, but not as much as you would like to think. The interior quality of the C-class, E-class, ML & G are actually jus average if not slightly cheap. The plastics found in these cars are very cheap looking and extremely hard. Also, the S-class is no leader either. The leather is nice and the wood is beautiful, but again, way too much cheap plastic being used.

Just what I was looking for. A nice companion for our E-class.

@hansverner

You think the E- and S-class interiors are average/cheap?! Wow. What's above average in your book?

@hansverner-

I would like to respectfully disagree with your assessment of the S-Class. If you were talking about a BMW 7-Series I could get on board, but the S uses almost no plastic for the interior. The dash, door trim, and center console are all covered in hand-stitched leather. The switchgear on the center stack is aluminum and so is the COMAND knob. In fact, the only plastic used is on the window switches, seat controls, and the handful of buttons that flank the COMAND controller. Even the wood-veneer on the center console on the earlier W221's was convincing, I never knew it was plastic until I read about it on here last year, and I'd been living with the car for over 3 years.

I can understand if you don't like the way its styled, and it's certainly not soft and plush like a Lexus, but the fit and finish/build quality is better than everything this side of a Bentley. Even the current-gen A8 doesn't quite measure up and it's simply stunning in its own right.

I do agree with assessments on the C-Class, though. The attention to detail is top-notch but the actual material choices are disappointing. The W212 is pretty remarkable, though. It easily surpasses everthing in its price range, but I do agree that the center stack plastic is pretty hard and unforgiving.

@mercedesfan

I have sat in the W221 S 550 several times. It really is an impressive car, but, I still believe that its interior does not warrant the +$100,000 price. It actually boggles my mind how you can say that the S-Class uses very little plastic in the interior. Other than on the armrests on the doors, some on the center divider between the front seats, and the portion covering the speedometer and navigation, the rest of the interior is plastic. You further boggle my mind when you imply that the 7 series has a cheap interior. How can that be when the thing is covered in leather, nice accent pieces, and not only more wood choices, but simply more of it. I’m not being sarcastic here, but please, enlighten me.

@hansverner-

I think we have varying definitions on what defines plastic. The squishy-polyurethane foam Mercedes uses on the lower portion of the dashboard and the door panels isn't what I consider plastic (although by definition it is a polymer) because it's pliable to the touch. This particular material is also used on the lower portion of the back of the center console. Other than that, everthing else is metal, wood, or leather. On top of this, the precision of the tolerances is stunning. I will say that I was mistaken earlier, though, on my drive home this evening I noticed that the tops of the doors are more of a traditional plastic than I thought.

Even so, the S uses no more plastic than an A8 and actually less than a BMW (which uses it in all the same places and then for the switchgear). This is all kind of a moot-point anyway, as the 2010 model has a far superior interior to the 2007-2009 models anyway.

Lastly, the 7 isn't as lovely as it first appears when you spend much time with it. When the sun hits the interior just right it becomes clear that much of the wood is veneer (rather than real) and the tolerances between panels just isn't up the level of Audi or MB (I'll admit that I'm nit-picking about this, but in some areas its actually really noticeable). On top of this, the plastic switchgear has a hollow feel, the gear lever feels like it's going to snap off in your hand, and the iDrive controller feels flimsy. To BMW's credit, the leather is sumptuous and beautifully treated so I'm pleased they used as much of it as they did. Still, spend enough time behind the wheel of an A8, S-Class, or 7-Series and you'll quickly realize the Bimmer has the weakest interior (but it is hands down the best to drive).

The Lexus LS has better interior quality then the current S class, everything is nicer to feel and touch its just a more comfortable interior to be in even on the eyes.

@ dbnthedon: My opinion this M-Class will surpass the the Lexus .. although probably not in terms of sales. Lexus went conservative with the newest design .. and I do not like it personally.

@ hansverner: On regards to Mercedes-Benz quality after chrysler ... it went up substantially. For the past few years Benz has scored higher on JD powers quality list. Interior quality has gone up far as well, the early 00 models had a good amount of cheap plastic. Its sad that quality went down hill ... because for decades Mercedes-Benz was known as the best built cars on the road. The older models are bulletproof.

That is what I believe Mercedes-Benz is getting back to. They are coming out with better designs, getting away from the round-ness that they went with in the last decade.

Mercedes-Benz has stepped it up on their interiors, and it is evident. I have not driven the new E-Class but I have driven the previous facelifted model (an '07) .. and the current BMW 5-Series. There is really no comparison. Yes, Mercedes-Benz is more tuned for luxury and the BMW is more on the sporty side, but still .. no comparison. The materials in the Benz were better, from the buttons, leather, and the dash.

BMW cannot compare on Ergonomics either. From my experience with every BMW I have been in/driven they are terrible. Mercedes-Benz on the other hand rules in that category, the S-Class in particular. The one thing flagship luxury sedans have a problem with is they have too many features and buttons! The S-Class on the other hand has an uncluttered dash and the COMMAND system is easy to use.

Mercedes-Benz puts a lot of work in research and development on their interiors .. down to what they door should sound like when it closes. BMW on the other hand probably doesn't!

Lexus makes nice interiors, but they are plagued in the fact you are paying 70-100 grand (for an LS) for a car with toyota parts inside!

Its largely a matter of opinion how good or crappy an interior is .. but quality has gone up in Mercedes-Benz and thats a fact.

@dbnthedon,

It is all a matter of personal taste. The LS doesn't have the material quality of the three Germans (its wood is overly-glossy and mostly veneer, its switchgear is standard ES-fare, and its leather isn't particularly supple or high-grade), but everything is plusher to the touch (except the top of the dashboard which is just hard plastic) and classically arranged. It's a wonderfully silent car that totally isolates you from the road. You either like that feeling or you don't.

I personally think the LS' main strong point is ergonomics because its far easier to use than any of the Germans. It's a fantastic car in almost every way, but it has a distinct personality that you either like or don't.

Personally, I find the C-Class one of if not the best looking small luxury sedan available especially with the AMG 18inch sport rims. It's a clean and very timeless design as it will look good in 10 years just like my uncles 99 C43 AMG.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, out of all the cars and brands I've sampled none have had the granite like solidity of a Mercedes. That's not to say that other brands don't have stout structures yet that is one trait that clearly defines that you're piloting a Mercedes product. The best part is that it's consistent throughout the product range from the C-Class to the top range Mercedes.

@natew-

I have to disagree with you on ergonomics. I love my car, but it had a pretty steep learning curve and COMAND isn't nearly as intuitive as the new iDrive.

Secondly, BMW's are not well behind Benzes in interior quality. Mercedes has tighter tolerances, but I personally believe BMW has nicer leather when you splurge for the real stuff. On average they are pretty much dead even, I think the S-7 rivalry is the only place where you can find a noticeable difference.

Also, the fact that Lexus uses Toyota parts isn't bad because most of them are great quality and the impeccable fit and finish is on par with the competition. The problem is more that they look tacky rather than feel tacky.

^@m-bfan .. its mostly a matter of personal opinion on interiors .. I haven't had the chance to use the new idrive but I know the COMMAND was far simpler to use than the previous idrive. From my experiences w/ BMW .. I find them far more complicated to use and not user friendly (3-series, 5-series, previous 7-series, and 6-series).

Toyota uses good materials .. I just think if your going to put down the money for a flagship you want it to be unique and worth the money. The LS is nice .. I consider the S-Class, XJ and A8 to be better/classier though.