2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

At a Glance

Pricing $48,300 - $98,400
Drive Types RWD, AWD
Engines 3.0l V6 T, 3.5l V6, 5.5l V8 T, I4 T D
Transmissions A7

The M-Class was the first mainstream SUV from Mercedes-Benz. Now in its third generation, the M-Class is primarily a road-oriented SUV with car-like ride and handling. Competitors in this segment include the BMW X5, Infiniti FX, Cadillac SRX, Porsche Cayenne, and Lincoln MKX. Mercedes-Benz offers the base ML350 with a 3.5L V-6 rated at 302-bhp. A standard 7-speed automatic is optimized for maximum fuel economy. Buyers looking to further improve their fuel economy can opt for the ML350 BLUETEC diesel model which is rated at 20 MPG City, 27 MPG Highway. The M-Class is also offered with two different V8 engines. The ML550 equips a 4.7l V8 rated at 402-bhp, whereas the AMG performance model of the series equips a 518-bhp hand built 5.5l V8. Pricing starts at about $50,000 and does not include leather upholstery.

What Changed:

A 4-cylinder diesel engine replaces the V6 diesel. The model is renamed ML250 BlueTEC 4MATIC. A new 3.0l turbo V6 ML400 model replaces the V8-powered ML550 model.

Model/Trim/Package Engine Original MSRP
ML350 3.5l V6 (302-bhp) A7 RWD $48,300
ML350 Leather 3.5l V6 (302-bhp) A7 RWD $49,920
ML350 4MATIC 3.5l V6 (302-bhp) A7 AWD $50,800
ML350 4MATIC Leather 3.5l V6 (302-bhp) A7 AWD $52,420
ML250 BlueTec 4MATIC I4 T D (200-bhp) A7 AWD $49,800
ML250 BlueTec 4MATIC Leather I4 T D (200-bhp) A7 AWD $51,420
ML400 4MATIC 3.0l V6 T (329-bhp) A7 AWD $62,900
ML63 AMG 5.5l V8 T (518-bhp) A7 AWD $98,400