New Mercedes ML 350 CDI review, test drive

Driving the car on twisty roads revealed that the new M-class handles much better than before, and is light and easy to drive. Ultimately though, the M-class still doesn’t provide an involving enough drive to rival an X5. When you need to scrub off speed or change direction in a hurry, you really do realise that two tonnes of off-roader can’t bend the laws of physics. The 4Matic system is not as quick at juggling power between axles and wheels as BMW’s xDrive or Audi’s Quattro systems either. 

Still, the steering is quite similar to an E-class in the way that it feels beautifully fluid and is very easy to twirl at city speeds, but doesn’t weigh up sufficiently as you go faster. 

The ML 350 CDI now has a stiffer chassis, as a result of which its high-speed manners are impeccable, and it rides over broken surfaces without much fuss. It’s while going over smaller surface disturbances and at lower speeds that you feel the consequences of Mercedes’ decision to aim for a stiffer chassis setup. The new car rides well, but not with as much compliance as the old car. The occasional sharp ridge thumps through the air suspension’s shock absorption too. We also wish the brakes had more feel and a bit more stopping power; the 2175kg kerb weight builds up so much momentum that the brakes sometimes feel inadequate

Our test car wasn’t equipped with the optional off-road package, but the M-class felt quite happy on the mild off-road bits we took it to. The suspension’s lift function gives it some serious clearance, the 4Matic system felt more than capable of coping with the dirt track we took it to.