2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Bluetec (photos)

Mercedes-Benz's ML350 is a five-passenger luxury SUV that comes standard with all-wheel drive. It is available with a gasoline 3.5-liter V-6 engine, this Bluetec turbocharged 3-liter diesel, or the powerful AMG version.

Back to review.

Mercedes-Benz updated the styling of the ML350 for the 2012 model year, giving it busier sides and skid-plate styling below the grille. However, the ML350 is not a serious off-roader, as its all-wheel-drive system does not give the driver advanced controls such as differential locking or descent control.

Back to review.

The Bluetec version of the ML350 uses a turbocharged 3-liter V-6 burning diesel fuel. It produces 240 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque, getting this heavy SUV around easily and earning fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

Back to review.

There is no third-row seating available in the ML350; Mercedes-Benz keeps it a five-passenger vehicle. All seats offer plenty of room in the spacious cabin.

Back to review.

The suspension of the ML350 Bluetec is tuned very soft, and it does an excellent job of absorbing rough patches in the road. An air suspension is available with different settings for comfort or a stiffer ride.

Back to review.

The rear cargo area is not huge, but more than adequate for the luggage of four passengers, as shown here.

Back to review.

In keeping with the ML350's luxury character, the cabin is trimmed in leather and wood.

Back to review.

The electromechanical power-steering unit is tuned for extra boost, making it very easy to turn the wheel, in keeping with the vehicle's luxury character.

Back to review.

Mercedes-Benz mixes metal and plastic buttons throughout the cabin. These buttons on the steering wheel control audio, voice command, and the phone system.

Back to review.

The center display in the instrument cluster shows trip information, such as range, which in the ML350 Bluetec approaches 650 miles with a full tank.

Back to review.

Although Mercedes-Benz makes the navigation system optional, the center LCD is standard.

Back to review.

This knob and its associated buttons are part of Mercedes-Benz's COMAND interface, used for controlling all the infotainment functions.

Back to review.

Hard-drive-stored maps show 3D rendered buildings for some urban areas.

Back to review.

Mercedes-Benz has only recently included weather information from Sirius in the car's infotainment system.

Back to review.

Mercedes-Benz integrates a Gracenote database with the infotainment system, which is used to analyze MP3 files from portable devices and show associated album cover art.

Back to review.