2010 Mercedes-Benz M Class vs. Its Competition

2010 Mercedes-Benz M Class 4MATIC 4-door 3.5L Angular Front Exterior View

Meta Rating 8.6 out of 10

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

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Marty Padgett is High Gear Media's Editorial Director, overseeing the words that skim across High Gear Media's portfolio of automotive destinations... More

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Mar 6, 2010

The 2010 M-Class has our favorite blend of dynamic style and performance, but it's tough to overlook the Infiniti FX50 for drama at first sight and behind the wheel.

It's quick and sexy in a way the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne simply aren'tl those kissing cousins appear dowdy, but their five-seat cabins feel sturdy and they're great off-roaders-plus, the Cayenne Turbo comes with scalding amounts of thrust.

The BMW X5 is the Mercedes-Benz M-Class's closest competitor-in fact, just the state of Georgia separates the Mercedes factory in Alabama from the BMW factory in South Carolina.

The X5 offers a third-row seat, but it has more sedate styling and lacks the performance character of BMW's cars.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee won't satisfy anyone seeking status or richly rendered build quality, but its throbbing HEMI-powered SRT8 edition will lay a scorching stripe down any street-or trail.

2010 Mercedes-Benz M Class Browse Used Listings	2011 BMW X5 Browse Used Listings	2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee Browse Used Listings	2010 Porsche Cayenne Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8.6 Though it's far from cheap, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz M-Class earns our kudos with hip styling riffs, shock-and-awe AMG power, and your choice of earth-saving powertrains.	8.4 The 2011 BMW X5 offers impressive handling and features, but lacks the styling and interior that makes competitors pop, while the X5 M offers nearly sports car levels of performance with all the utility of a standard X5.	7.4 Unless your routine involves off-roading or extremely difficult conditions, the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee only serves to show that modern crossover vehicles are better choices for most families.	7.8 Despite some issues with practicality, the 2010 Porsche Cayenne is a luxurious and supremely capable performer.
MSRP From
$45,700	$46,300	$30,710	$45,500
Gas Mileage
11 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy	14 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy	12 MPG City / 21 MPG Hwy	11 MPG City / 20 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas V6	Turbocharged Gas I6	Gas V6	Gas V6
EPA Class
2WD Sport Utility Vehicle	4WD Sport Utility Vehicle	2WD Sport Utility Vehicle	4WD Sport Utility Vehicle
Style Name
RWD 4dr ML350	AWD 4dr 35i	RWD 4dr Laredo	AWD 4dr Man
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	All Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
4 Door	4 Door Sport Utility Vehicle	4 Door	4 Door SUV
Transmission
Automatic	Automatic	Automatic w/OD	Manual w/OD