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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

Overview

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2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Review

By KBB.com Editors

The newest Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV is a far cry from the original model. Whereas the first M-Class featured body-on-frame construction, the new ML employs a unit-body design. This creates a stiffer chassis, which helps eliminate rattles and vibration as well as quiet the interior; the design also allows for a more sophisticated suspension, yielding better handling and a more civilized ride. Although it can seat five, the ML is most comfortable with four passengers. It offers a modest cargo bay of 29.4 cubic feet, which is more space than an Infiniti FX35, but less than offered by the Acura MDX. For 2007, the M-Class offers a diesel engine option, a feature unique to this class.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're seriously shopping in the upscale SUV category and are drawn to the Lexus RX 350 and/or the BMW X5, you may very well find your new home away from home behind the wheel of the new M-Series.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If, like so many SUV buyers today, you'll settle for no fewer than three rows of seats, you'll have to look somewhere else. Mercedes-Benz decided to eliminate its awkward third-row seating in the new iteration of the M-Class.

What's Significant About This Car?

Two new models join the lineup: the diesel-powered ML320 CDI and the performance oriented ML63 AMG.

Driving the M-Class

Driving Impressions By having unibody construction instead of the ladder-frame platform of the previous M-Class, the second-generation M-Class transcends any comparison with its predecessor. Highway ride is as smooth as you'd expect...

from any of the automaker's stately sedans, with the added benefit of being able to negotiate large rocks (or parking blocks) with exceptional composure. It's this silkiness that makes the SUV's confidence-inspiring cornering ability just that much more impressive. While in a price-is-no-object world we would prefer the V8-powered ML500, the six-cylinder ML350 is also satisfying.

Favorite Features

Safety First
A long list of safety equipment includes traction and stability control, multiple airbags, active headrests and Mercedes' Pre-Safe system that tightens seatbelts and closes windows when it senses an impending collision.

Air Suspension
An optional air suspension allows for an extra three inches of ground clearance, while an active damping system lets you choose between Auto, Comfort and Sport settings, to best suit the road ahead.

2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Details

Interior

Some of the first interior details you may notice are the large, circular air vents dominating the dash, and the padded rails at the bottom of the center console that are more of an off-road touch than we expected from the more street-friendly M-Class. What you'll be forced to notice before moving the car an inch, however, is the dainty transmission selector stalk on the steering column. It removes the shifter from the center console and its operation, though not conventional, is easy to get used to. The seats are as comfortable as you'd expect, and the bigger cabin delivers plenty of room for five adults. But even though this new model is a full six inches longer than the last, a third-row seat option is no more.

Exterior

Fresh from its complete makeover last year, the new ML is both sleeker and more muscular than the soft shoebox design it replaces. The four inches added between the front and rear wheels and three inches added in overall width deliver increased passenger room and a smoother highway ride.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The base ML350 features a 3.5-liter V6, seven-speed automatic transmission, permanent all-wheel drive, automatic climate control, AM/FM/CD stereo, cruise control, automatic headlamps, heated and auto-dimming exterior mirrors, multifunction steering wheel, outside temperature display, power windows/locks/mirrors and a four-way adjustable steering column. Standard safety equipment includes an array of passive and active safety technologies, including front, front-side and front and second-row side-curtain airbags.

Optional Equipment

In addition to a 5.0-liter V8 engine, the ML500 adds wood trim, multi-zone automatic climate control and bigger wheels. Additional options for all ML models include an active-damping air suspension, DVD navigation, keyless entry and start, power liftgate, active bi-xenon headlights, Parktronic park assist, heated steering wheel and rear seats, rear-seat entertainment system, harman/kardon premium six-disc audio system and a power sunroof.

Under the Hood

With an impressive V6 good for 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, opting for the lower-priced, higher-mileage ML350 won't leave you feeling short-changed in the power department. For those who want the towing capability of a V8 with the fuel mileage of a frugal four-cylinder, the ML320 CDI diesel is an excellent choice. Die-hard speed freaks will no doubt drool over the ML63 AMG's 503 horsepower, but the price tag near $90,000 may render this hot-rod SUV little more than a pipe dream.

3.5-liter V6
268 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
258 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2400-5000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/21

3.0-liter V6
215 horsepower @ 3800 rpm
398 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1400-2800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

5.0-liter V8
302 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
339 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2700-4750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/19

6.3-liter V8
503 horsepower @ 6800 rpm
465 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 12/16

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Mercedes-Benz M-Class vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

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2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.5

Out of 10

Based on 176 Ratings for the 2006 - 2011 models.

Review this car

Value

8.5/10

Quality

8.9/10
Reliability

8.9/10

Performance

9.0/10
Comfort

9.0/10

Styling

9.0/10

MBZ ML350 - great, sturdy, reliable car

By littlemcm (CA) on Tuesday, April 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 44,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Comfortable, stylish, reliable"

Cons: "can't think of cons - well designed"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Have owned this car for 4 years and love it. Very comfortable, safe and a joy to drive. Will always own a Mercedes. Am going to get a sedan as my days of transporting kids everywhere is coming to and end. However, plan to keep this car as a 3rd family car. If treated right, this car will continue to be reliable. Would recommend this car, especially for a family."

6 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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Best value in a diesel vehicle

By Gordy (NE) on Tuesday, April 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 66,922

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "engine and Mercedes quality"

Cons: "additive for the engine"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I lust for this SUV, it is the type of vehicle you can rely on in any weather or condition. A few drawbacks but mute in the vehicle overall benefits"

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Great car

By Tulsa (OK) on Tuesday, January 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 39,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Only problem has been with rear gate closing, and Mercedes replaced part at no cost. Great car, handles beautifully, can fit a lot of stuff in it, and great in snow."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Excellent SUV

By Pwrdad50 (CA) on Saturday, December 08, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 68,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "outstanding drive and ride"

Cons: "Premium gas"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"My wife is into horses and has a sanctuary. She was driving a big truck to pull horses and needed a smaller vehicle for daily use. She uses this SUV like a mobile tack room and for buying small quantities of horse food. This vehicle far exceeded expectations. It's normal driving is on bumpy dirt roads or very curvy back roads. I did not think it would hold up, but it has and I am now a believer. The only issue was a speed sensor that failed, but was covered under warranty."

8 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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One of the safest, and most fun car to drive

By Marath (CA) on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 100,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Safest and Fun to drive"

Cons: "Michelin tires made for the ML are best ride"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Simply put this is an AWESOME car. It has so many features that take care of the driver. The safety features are incredible. People report walking away from horrible accidents unhurt. One of the nicest things is how fun this SUV is to drive. It feels as if he car literally learns your personal diving style and reacts appropriately as if it predicts what you do when controlling the car. When you take a long drive in this vehicle you learn to appreciate how this car takes out the usual stress and tiredness you usually feel when driving other cars. After all this is a Mercedes. Because it is an SUV you sit up high so you get great visibility of the traffic in front of you. I have one hundred thousand miles on my 2006 ML350 SUV and have had no problems with it. When I purchased this car it had Continental tires on it and the ride was a little stiff and jarring when going over bumps in the road. When these finally wore out the dealer recommended and ordered Michelin tires that were designed for this car. What a huge difference these tires made. The ride is smooth and the tires feel like they hug the road making the car feel even more incredibly stable on the road. All in all I can not tell you enough about how wonderful this vehicle is. When I first test drove the car I did not realize how great it was....but after owning it for just a few weeks you will understand just how wonderful it handles, how safe it is, and how much fun you are having."

8 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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Really am impressed!

By Paul (TX) on Thursday, October 04, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 42,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Styling, ride, performance, comfort, prestige"

Cons: "bluetooth phone unreliable"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Traded my SL550 for the ML350 and although it has a (very) few shortcomings, I LOVE the car. I feel it is the best MB I have ever owned and driven and I have owned MBs since 1971. I'd buy another one as soon as this one is out of warranty (135K)!"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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See all 176 reviews