Up Close: 2009 M-Class

The M-Class' restyling is likely to be lost on anyone not aware of the details, but I have to admit that the changes give the SUV a different presence. Almost all the exterior changes make it look lower and broader. The grille sits lower and the fog lights are farther apart, for example. The stainless-steel skid plates — front and rear — draw the eye downward. Two exceptions are the new side mirrors, whose signal lights have grown and spread, threatening to overtake the entire mirror enclosure. 

Though Mercedes says the interior has been upgraded, the changes aren't dramatic to my eye, apart from the new steering wheel. That new wheel consolidates the controls to two groupings, patterned after the Comand system buttons alongside the center LCD screen. I'm not sure this is an improvement, but I'll need some time to experiment. Comand itself has been upgraded to the type in the new C-Class, the menus of which we found to be a big improvement. Unfortunately, this one doesn't have the central-knob controller. As much as we hate the one in BMWs, the one on the C-Class is pretty good.

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2008 New York Auto Show: 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

2008 New York Auto Show: 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

• Competes with: Acura MDX, BMW X5, Land Rover Range Rover Sport
• Looks like: The current M-Class after a few shots of botox
• Drivetrain: V-6 or V-8 with seven-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2008

When we recently tested the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550, we were surprised by how good an SUV the M-Class still is in a very competitive segment. In New York next week, Mercedes-Benz will unveil an updated version of the M-Class that promises to improve upon this sleeper of an SUV.

The 2009 model will come in the same trim levels — ML350, ML550 and ML63 AMG — as well as the diesel ML320 Bluetec we told you about earlier. All three gasoline engines, however, will get boosts in power and fuel-efficiency, though Mercedes hasn’t provided exact figures at this time. As for the mileage claims, our ML550 tester was already surprisingly economical considering the power in its V-8 engine.

Outside, the design gets a little curvier, especially around the front grille. The look is more menacing and more organic. Inside there are slight changes to the design, including a new steering wheel. Most importantly, Mercedes says it has changed the old version’s abysmal infotainment unit to a new array of three different choices. We’re hoping the new systems are more akin to the ones in the new C-Class.

There are more photos below of the European models, including comparisons to the 2008 M-Class. We’ll be checking out all of Mercedes’ upgraded models at the New York auto show next week, so stay tuned.