When Mercedes-Benz decided to build a sport-utility vehicle for the people – something more refined than its legendary G-Class SUV with its military origins – it went all in with the M-Class. First, the company built a new assembly plant in Alabama to build the SUV, then it beat most competitors to market by debuting the M-Class for the 1998 model year. The M-Class was redesigned for the first time in 2006. Since then, it has added a larger and more powerful V-8 engine option, turbodiesel models, and a performance edition fully massaged by the automaker’s in-house tuner, AMG. We reviewed the most popular model, the ML350 4Matic with a V-6 engine and all-wheel drive.

Here is a summary of the changes to the 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class:
• Updated exterior styling
• New ML350 model with rear-wheel drive and a lower starting price
• New ML320 BlueTec model with 50-state turbodiesel engine replaces ML320 CDI
• Sportier seating with 4-stage power driver’s lumbar support
• Pre-Safe preventive protection system newly standard
• New options include HD Radio and Sirius real-time traffic information
• Optional rear entertainment system includes dual 8-inch screens
• Most models get new 19-inch alloy wheels

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is available in five variants: the ML350, the ML350 4Matic, the ML320 BlueTec, the ML550 4Matic, and the ML63 AMG. Standard equipment on the ML350 includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, 8-way power front seats, a CD player, an auxiliary input jack for an iPod, Bluetooth hands-free calling, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with leather trim, automatic headlights, cruise control, a trip computer, rain-sensing wipers, heated outside mirrors, and 19-inch wheels. The base price also includes MB-Tex upholstery for the seats, which is Mercedes-Benz terminology for vinyl.

The ML350 4Matic and ML320 BlueTec have the same standard equipment as the base ML350, but are also equipped with 4Matic all-wheel drive. In addition to 4Matic and a V-8 engine, the ML550 model adds heated front seats, intermittent wipers with rain sensors, running boards, an Airmatic adaptive damping suspension, AMG-design alloy wheels, and AMG-design front and rear bumpers.

The ML350, ML320 BlueTec and ML550 can be equipped with one of two Premium Packages. Premium Package 1 includes COMAND navigation, a rearview camera, HD Radio with Sirius satellite, premium Harmon/Kardon audio with 610 watts of power, a power liftgate, a 115-volt power outlet, and a “media interface” to integrate a portable music player with the audio system. Premium Package 2 features those items and adds Parktronic parking sensors, Keyless Go locking and ignition system, Parktronic parking sensors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power folding outside mirrors, a power adjustable steering wheel, and memory functions for the front seats and steering column.

Additional option packages on these models include a Leather Package with a wood-and-leather steering wheel, an Appearance Package with bigger wheels and aluminum roof rails (ML350 only), a Lighting Package with bi-Xenon cornering headlights and LED taillights, and a Heating Package with heated front seats, rear seats, and steering wheel.

Individual options on all models include triple-zone climate control, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a Class III trailer hitch. Additionally, the ML350 and ML320 BlueTec individually offer heated front seats while the ML350 4Matic and ML320 BlueTec can be equipped with an Airmatic suspension with adaptive damping as separate options. For further customization, Mercedes-Benz dealers offer an array of additional add-ons to personally tailor a new ML.

The ML63 AMG includes the ML550’s standard features and the contents of Premium Packages I and II plus Nappa leather upholstery on the seats, door panels, steering wheel, and center console. The ML63 AMG also has bi-Xenon headlights with active curve illumination, cornering fog lights, 10-way power adjustable AMG sport seats for front seat occupants, a power tilt-and-telescopic AMG-design steering wheel, and an AMG instrument cluster. As expected, the price premium includes a number of performance upgrades above and beyond its 503-horsepower V-8 and 7-speed SpeedShift automatic transmission, including an AMG Airmatic dual control sports suspension system, a high-performance AMG braking system, an AMG exhaust system, and 20-inch AMG-design wheels wearing high-performance tires. In addition to numerous dealer-installed options, the ML63 AMG can be outfitted with a triple-zone climate control system, a rear seat entertainment system, heated rear seats, a Class III trailer hitch, and 21-inch AMG-design alloy wheels.

There are four different engines offered on the various 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class models. The ML350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine driving the rear or all four wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission. The 3.5-liter V-6 generates 268 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 258 lb.-ft. of torque between 2,400 and 5,000 rpm. Fuel economy ratings are 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive and 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway with 4Matic all-wheel drive, burning premium unleaded. Our review vehicle, the ML350 with 4Matic all-wheel drive, averaged 16.1 mpg in mixed driving.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec is equipped with a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 engine that makes 210 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 398 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,400 and 2,800 rpm. A seven-speed automatic delivers power to all four wheels, and this model is rated by the EPA to return 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway, burning ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML550 has a 5.5-liter V-8 engine under the hood, making 382 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 391 lb.-ft. of torque between 2,800 and 4,800 rpm. It’s connected to a seven-speed automatic driving all four wheels, and is rated by the EPA to get 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway burning premium unleaded.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG’s hand-built, 6.3-liter V-8 engine makes 503 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 465 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,200 rpm. It powers all four wheels through a three-mode, seven-speed AMG SpeedShift automatic with manual shift paddles, and is rated to get 11 mpg city/15 mpg highway while burning premium unleaded.

Standard safety equipment on every 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class includes dual front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front and rear seating positions, and side-curtain airbags for each outboard seating position. Additionally, the M-Class comes standard with four-wheel-disc ABS with brake assist; a stability control system with trailer stability assist feature; and traction control. Standard Hill Start Assist holds the M-Class in position on hills as the driver moves his or her foot from the brake to the accelerator pedal.

The M-Class is also offered with additional standard or optional safety features, including headlights and fog lights that can help to illuminate around corners, Parktronic sensors in the bumpers that help the driver determine maneuvering space, and automatic rain-sensing wipers. There’s also a Tele Aid security and communications system, which includes an SOS button that can summon help in the event of an emergency, and provide GPS coordinates when the SUV is optioned with the COMAND navigation system. Finally, the M-Class is newly equipped with standard PRE-SAFE technology, which automatically tightens the front seatbelts and positions the front seats for optimum protection when sensors indicate a crash is likely. The system can also automatically close the windows and sunroof if the sensors anticipate a rollover incident.

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class competes against other midsize premium multi-activity vehicles such as the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Cadillac SRX, Infiniti FX, Lexus RX, Lincoln MKX, Porsche Cayenne, and Volvo XC90.