What Is It?
2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
What's Special About It?
Mercedes has expanded upon this 7-year-old design with quite a few new features. The body, which is now longer, wider and lower, has been built on an entirely new platform. Mercedes has given the M-Class brand-new suspensions as well, with a double wishbone in the front and a four-link variant in the rear. The four-wheel-drive system has been improved along with the four-wheel traction control, which now features a downhill driving aid as well as a hill start assist. The ML350 will now be powered by a revised 3.5-liter V6 which is capable of 268 horsepower, while the ML500 will feature an even more powerful 5.0-liter V8 under its hood, which now yields 302 hp. Both engines will be paired with a brand-new seven-speed automatic transmission. U.S. versions of the M-Class will be built at the Mercedes facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Never one to leave a good thing alone, Mercedes has swept up its M-Class range in the typically German pursuit of technological refinement. The company has certainly done much to address the typical complaints about the M-series, namely that the handling left a bit to be desired in the face of zippier competition. The longer wheelbase, which now measures 114 inches, will go to great lengths to make the handling much smoother, while the improved all-wheel-drive system should allow for a better ride in cold weather zones. Even the engines, which were plenty powerful already, have experienced some minor tweaking with the 3.5-liter V6 gaining 36 hp and the 5.0-liter V8 increasing its rating from 288 to 302 hp. The 2006 M-Class is likely to please the vehicle's preexisting fan base and maybe gain the model some new customers as well. — Phil Lienert
2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
What's Special About It?
Mercedes has expanded upon this 7-year-old design with quite a few new features. The body, which is now longer, wider and lower, has been built on an entirely new platform. Mercedes has given the M-Class brand-new suspensions as well, with a double wishbone in the front and a four-link variant in the rear. The four-wheel-drive system has been improved along with the four-wheel traction control, which now features a downhill driving aid as well as a hill start assist. The ML350 will now be powered by a revised 3.5-liter V6 which is capable of 268 horsepower, while the ML500 will feature an even more powerful 5.0-liter V8 under its hood, which now yields 302 hp. Both engines will be paired with a brand-new seven-speed automatic transmission. U.S. versions of the M-Class will be built at the Mercedes facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Never one to leave a good thing alone, Mercedes has swept up its M-Class range in the typically German pursuit of technological refinement. The company has certainly done much to address the typical complaints about the M-series, namely that the handling left a bit to be desired in the face of zippier competition. The longer wheelbase, which now measures 114 inches, will go to great lengths to make the handling much smoother, while the improved all-wheel-drive system should allow for a better ride in cold weather zones. Even the engines, which were plenty powerful already, have experienced some minor tweaking with the 3.5-liter V6 gaining 36 hp and the 5.0-liter V8 increasing its rating from 288 to 302 hp. The 2006 M-Class is likely to please the vehicle's preexisting fan base and maybe gain the model some new customers as well. — Phil Lienert
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