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2008 Mercedes-Benz M Class Review

July 28, 2008

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Mercedes has given its new ML550 the AMG styling treatment
Car and Driver

More aggressive styling
Edmunds

One of my favorite crossover designs. Perfectly proportioned
Automobile.com

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class has gone from brickbats to bouquets. Back in the late '90s, the car featured what Car and Driver describes as "minivan-like styling." In 2006, Mercedes-Benz tried to combat that image by sharpening the exterior lines and imparting a certain degree of toughness to its luxury SUV, giving it "more aggressive styling," according to Edmunds.

The basic shape is now a handsome SUV silhouette, with an arcing roofline. “It's certifiably flamboyant. The castellated grille vanes, cocked beltline, and exaggerated fender flares evoke tail-fin times,” says Automobile.com.

At Mercedes-Benz, 2008 brings visual tweaks to all trim levels of the M-Class. The changes are most noticeable in the top-end models. Kelley Blue Book remarks, "the sleek 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML looks particularly menacing wearing the new ML550 trim." Other reviews read by TheCarConnection.com agree with this sentiment, praising the aggressive new AMG-influenced styling of the ML550. For the lower end of the 2008 M-Class spectrum, the exterior design is not quite as imposing. Forbes Autos refers to the ML320 as having a "wedge-like, tastefully conservative shape."

The styling on the inside of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is luxurious, but the car's capabilities as an off-road vehicle are not ignored. Kelley Blue Book is quick to point out that the "padded rails at the bottom of the center console...are more of an off-road touch than [they] expect from the more street-friendly" ML-Class. Automobile.com raves about the balance the M-Class strikes between exuding "a solid, masculine look."

Conclusion

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class combines sleek sheetmetal with a thoughtfully laid-out cabin.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Mercedes has given its new ML550 the AMG styling treatmentCar and DriverMore aggressive stylingEdmundsOne of my favorite crossover designs. Perfectly proportionedAutomobile.com The 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class has gone from brickbats to bouquets. Back in the late '90s, the car featured what Car and Driver describes as "minivan-like styling." In 2006, Mercedes-Benz tried to combat that image by sharpening the exterior lines and imparting a certain degree of toughness to its luxury SUV, giving it "more aggressive styling," according to Edmunds. The basic shape is now a handsome SUV silhouette, with an arcing roofline. “It's certifiably flamboyant. The castellated grille vanes, cocked beltline, and exaggerated fender flares evoke tail-fin times,” says Automobile.com. At Mercedes-Benz, 2008 brings visual tweaks to all trim levels of the M-Class. The changes are most noticeable in the top-end models. Kelley Blue Book remarks, "the sleek 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML looks particularly menacing wearing the new ML550 trim." Other reviews read by TheCarConnection.com agree with this sentiment, praising the aggressive new AMG-influenced styling of the ML550. For the lower end of the 2008 M-Class spectrum, the exterior design is not quite as imposing. Forbes Autos refers to the ML320 as having a "wedge-like, tastefully conservative shape." The styling on the inside of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is luxurious, but the car's capabilities as an off-road vehicle are not ignored. Kelley Blue Book is quick to point out that the "padded rails at the bottom of the center console...are more of an off-road touch than [they] expect from the more street-friendly" ML-Class. Automobile.com raves about the balance the M-Class strikes between exuding "a solid, masculine look." ConclusionThe 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class combines sleek sheetmetal with a thoughtfully laid-out cabin.  2008 MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS STYLING | [8 out of 10] Car and Driver: " Mercedes has given its new ML550 the AMG styling treatment" Edmunds: "More aggressive styling" Automobile.com: "One of my favorite crossover designs. Perfectly proportioned" The 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class has ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

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 more sedate styling. The Lexus GX 470 has good off-road capability but a dowdy exterior shape. The Infiniti FX is brand-new, and its aggressive styling gets a V-8 option to match. The Volkswagen Touareg sits high, feels thick and sturdy, and has seats for five adults.

Next Steps:

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See the Mercedes-Benz M Class in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

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