The 2013 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is a good used luxury midsize SUV . Even among its peers, the interior stands out for its quality materials and fit and finish. Cargo space is generous, and a wide opening makes loading your belongings easy. Additionally, there are few competitors that can offer the M-Class’ powerful range of engines. Top safety scores and a range of available active safety features round out this vehicle. The one significant downside is its high cost of ownership.

Acceleration and Power

The base ML350 comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 302 horsepower, while the ML550 comes with a 402-horsepower, turbocharged V8 gas engine. The ML350 Bluetec has a diesel-powered 3.0-liter V6 that makes only 240 horsepower, but its 455 pound-feet of torque help it feel quick from a stop. The performance-oriented ML63 AMG comes with a turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 engine that makes an impressive 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. The AMG model is also available with a performance package that will bump its horsepower up to 550. All three engines are mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. According to the EPA, fuel economy ranges from 18/23 mpg city/highway in the two-wheel drive, gas-powered ML350 trim, to 20/28 mpg city/highway in the diesel Bluetec trim, to a very poor but unsurprising 13/17 mpg city/highway in AMG models.

Reviewers say the base ML350 is powerful enough, but that the ML350 Bluetec diesel may be a better choice. They say it feels faster and more powerful, and it gets better fuel economy as well. Testers don’t say much about the ML550’s V8 engine, but they love the turbocharged AMG V8. Though it’s likely unnecessary for the majority of buyers, reviewers love this engine’s assertive growl and say that it makes the ML63 insanely fast.

Handling and Braking

Reviewers say the M-Class’ handling isn’t bad, but it’s not quite sporty either. Most reviewers agree that while the ML doesn’t feel exactly agile, its body roll is well-controlled. They write that the AMG-tuned ML63’s ride is a bit stiffer than the other trim levels', but not to the point where it’s uncomfortably bumpy over rough roads. One test driver notes that the steering feels fairly numb. All models except the base ML350 come standard with all-wheel drive, while the base trim comes standard with rear-wheel drive.

Seating

The Mercedes M-Class comes standard with seating for five, leatherette upholstery, heated front seats and a 60/40 split-folding second row. Higher trims can be equipped with leather upholstery, heated and ventilated multicontour front seats and heated rear seats. Most other SUVs with a near-$60,000 price tag come standard with leather. Reviewers say that both rows of seats are comfortable, and that even in the back row, nearly everyone should have enough space.

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz has room for five on standard leatherette upholstery. Heated front seats are standard, and leather and cooled front seats are available in some models. Comfort is good in the front and rear seats. The M-Class has complete sets of LATCH child-seat connectors in the rear outboard seats. An additional tether anchor is affixed to the rear middle seat.

Standard interior features include dual-zone automatic climate control, the Mercedes-Benz infotainment center with a 7-inch screen, Bluetooth, an eight-speaker sound system with auxiliary audio input and a USB port, HD Radio, and a power moonroof. A rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a push-button ignition are available in some models. The M-Class’ infotainment center has a steep learning curve because it relies on knobs and dashboard controls for some actions, but a touch screen for others.

Interior Features

The 2013 Mercedes M-Class comes with standard features that include rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power sunroof, a power liftgate and Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity. Range-topping models like the ML550 and ML63 AMG offer active lane keeping assist, parallel parking assist, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and push-button ignition. Leather upholstery and a rearview camera remain extra-cost options on all trims except the ML63 AMG. The much less-expensive Lincoln MKT comes with both of these features standard.

Though in the past, test drivers complained about Mercedes’ complicated knob-based COMAND infotainment controls, they’ve warmed up to them a bit recently. They say that some of COMAND's functions have a steeper learning curve than some rivals’, but they don’t complain nearly as much as in past years. They also appreciate that the M-Class receives a new layout for its turn signals and cruise controls, one that’s closer to the traditional locations for those switches, rather than the confusing two-stalk system on most other Mercedes models.

Cargo

With the back row folded, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz M-Class can hold up to 80.3 cubic feet of cargo in ML350 and ML550 trims, and up to 71 cubic feet in ML350 Bluetec and ML63 AMG trims. Mercedes doesn’t list the amount of cargo space with the second row of seats in use for 2013 models. By comparison, the Lexus RX 350 can hold up to 80.3 cubic feet of cargo space, while the BMW X5 can hold 75.2 cubic feet of cargo. Reviewers say the cargo hold is plenty spacious and small-items storage is adequate.

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 213 cu in, 3498 cc
Power: 302 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 273 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 114.8 in
Length: 189.1 in
Width: 75.8 in Height: 70.7 in
Curb weight: ML350, 4683 lb/ML350 4MATIC, 5023 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS (ML350/ML350 4MATIC):
Zero to 60 mph: 6.4/6.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 17.1/18.0 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 41.5 sec/-
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 7.0/7.2 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 3.3/3.3 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 4.8/4.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.9 sec @ 94 mph/15.1 sec @ 93 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 134/134 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 176/177 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.74/0.77 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 18/23 mpg
C/D observed: ML350, 19/ML350 4MATIC, 18 mpg
*Stability-control-inhibited.