Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML 300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY SE 5dr Car Review - February 2012

Flexibility in steering column and seat adjustments mean it can accommodate any size or shape of person in comfort. Dash design provides everything within easy reach, including the 7 speed automatic gear selection.

With a 24 valve, 3.0L, V6 engine which churns out 260bhp and 204 lbs/ft of torque whisking it from 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds; 32.5mpg on average, and a top speed of 130mph, you could take the kids to school in worse rides.

An elevated driving position means that visibility is superb. The steering is certainly responsive and the ride is really decent, copes with corners effectively and has accurate steering, but it's geared more for comfort than sporty driving, so it's not really as great to drive as the BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne. It only really gets thrown managing rough roads. While the engine is lacking a little reaction for getting away from junctions, it’s an effortless, noiseless cruiser on motorways and responsive on back roads. Its 4,781mm length and 1,911mm width sizing could make it a handful to deal with in some city traffic.

Beefy styling gives it real street charisma while not being radical. All the usual goodies are included as regular: cruise and climate control, Bluetooth, MP3/iPod Connection-RDS CD, alloy wheels , climate control, and you can always opt for the Sport Pack which adds 19-inch alloy wheels, metallic paint, detailing in steel and chrome, sports seats and special leather trim.

It offers generous head and legroom for four, and the boot is big, 833 litres and a sensible shape too. Throw the rear seats forward and you create an even larger, flat luggage bay, totaling 2050 litres, while a nifty little system to anchor smaller loads is included too. This is bigger than that offered by the BMW X5 or Audi Q7, with only the Range Rover Sport offering more space.

As normal you get MB’s excellent reputation for quality, durability and resale value, with an unlimited mileage warranty. The model has impressive boot space, but If you need more passenger space, then you'll need to go for the more expensive GL model or consider an Audi Q7 or BMW X5 as there's no seven-seat option for this model.

It has a Euro NCAP rating of 5 for passengers, 3 for children and 1 for pedestrians, only the Audi Q7 offers greater protection for children and pedestrians (4 and 3 respectively) although Euro NCAP classify the Q7, X5 and ML300 as comparable overall.

Anti theft alarm and immobilizer are standard issue for all models. C02 emissions are 230 g/km putting it in the L road tax band with a whopping £790 price tag for the first year (2011 – 2012). It is more expensive than the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne, but in the same bracket as the equivalent Range Rover, but if you’re considering buying a Mercedes Benz that shouldn’t be a problem.

Currently listed at £42,265 makes the M-Class seem a bit pricey. You certainly couldn’t call it cheap, but it's priced competitively with its main rivals like the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne.

You will have to shell out a considerable amount of money for the privilege of driving an M-Class, and it’s probably worth it: after all, you get a Mercedes-Benz and all that it stands for.