Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Sport 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The diesel engine in the ML 350 provides great pulling power at low revs, churning out 398lb-ft between 1600rpm and 2400rpm. 0-62mph takes 7.6 seconds and the top speed is 137mph. The seven speed automatic 'box does its job well, shifting smoothly and quickly.

Unlike its rivals from Porsche and BMW, the Mercedes' primary focus is on comfort; the ML simply glides over poor road surfaces. On top of that it is also very quiet; engine, road and wind noise are all kept at bay, adding to the comfortable ride. You're likely to experience some body roll through the corners and the steering is a bit numb. This car may not be a winner when it comes to off-roading, but its 4x4 ability makes it a good car to tackle any winter snow with ease.

The ML's front end is sharp and new styling tweaks, such as the bold front grille and sculpted headlamps, look really great. Mercedes have pitched the M-Class at the luxury on-road 4x4 market and this means that all versions come with big alloy wheels and, relatively speaking, low ground clearance.

The M-Class cabin does feel luxurious, but it is starting to look a bit on the dated side when you compare it to Mercedes' other models such as the E-Class or the C-Class. There are a whole host of buttons on the dashboard and steering wheel, but once you know your way around them all, they are easy to use. Considering the £46,910 price tag, the use of some hard plastics is disappointing to see - you wouldn’t normally expect to find lower quality plastics in this type of car. The M-Class offers a great driving position, it is high and the visibility is great.

Equipment wise you get: synthetic leather seats, alloy wheels, an automatic gearbox, cruise control, climate control and a multi-function steering wheel. This Sport model is largely a cosmetic upgrade. Sat-nav is available, but it is a pricey option at £1605.

Earlier M-Class models offered the option of seven seats whereas this model does not. However, five people will be able to travel in this car in great comfort. The cabin is very roomy as is the boot which holds 833 litres with the seats up and 2050 with the seats down, which is very impressive. There are nets on the front seat backs, a large glove compartment and a big central storage box.

The previous M-Class was a dreadful car and finished bottom of the JD Power survey in 2005. This model seems much better built and should be more reliable than its predecessor.

The M-Class was awarded five stars when it was put through the EuroNCAP crash tests in 2008. Safety equipment included as standard includes Pre-Safe crash protection system, stability control, anti-lock brakes and a range of airbags.

The ML 350 will be very expensive to run, emitting 240g/km of CO2 which puts it under tax band L. You'll struggle to get more than 32mpg and group 44 insurance means that cover is going to be pricey.

At £46,910 the M-Class is pretty reasonably priced, undercutting its main rival the BMW X5 by several grand. It should also retain a lot of its value.