IIHS Awards Mercedes-Benz M-Class "Safest Car of 2007" Award

"Mercedes-Benz Rules, Others Just Follow The Star." -CW

Just one more reason to buy a Mercedes-Benz!

Interesting. I would have expected the S class to take the honors.

Too bad it's rated as one of the worst for reliability.

and too bad it just looks ungainly and ill-proportioned. I think they tried for the new S class/C class look but somehow really missed the mark. It needs a model refresh ala AMG body kit to make it look right...

With all that debost, do you guys really think its a good looking suv? Is it just me that finds that Mercedes has missed the mark on this one from a design standpoint? Not that I would drive the RX or anything but still not something I would want with the likes of the X5 and Landrover out there...

The Appearance Package makes all the difference. As does the AMG Package. Check them out for yourself. Normal ML350 is bland, but ML350 AMG, ML350 Appearance and base ML500 (standard with Appearance Package) are a huge improvement.

Yes, it's a good-looking SUV. Very similar to RX, yet slightly more masculine. X5 is better-looking, though, but AMG Package cuts it close.

BTW, this came out a year before the S-Class, and two years before the C is coming.

Since when did they categorize a CUV or SUV a car??

How is it not a car? 4 doors, 5 seats, 4 wheels, engine etc?

Could have, should have, would have..... The fact is that the RX did not win the award. If the RX finished with as high of marks in all three criteria tests than maybe it would have stood a chance, but it did not! Hence the ML took the award.

Will, the Lexus RX is one of the most overrated cars out there. It does nothing good. The comfort isn't up to par anymore (because it's so outdated), the design looks sleepy, the fuel economy of the non-hyrbid RX's is terrible and it's not offroad capable at all. The ML might be less reliable, but from what I have read, it is comfortable, the design appeals, the fuel economy is still acceptable (can't wait for the ML320 CDI Bluetec) and the ML is a proven offroader: it's capable.

And according to this, it is a very safe car. I speak and read German and the little article talks about how the ML had impressive frontal and side impact ratings among other criteria.

that's not will, it's an impersonator.

I'm glad people can recognize that Rupert.

That being said Bill,

You think every Lexus is overrated, so what's new?

Wi11,

Why don't you speak when you get your drivers permit ? Until then your words are not credible and not worth reading. Beat it geek.

I can attest to the bad fuel economy, and we only have the RX330- not the 350. My wife gets under 16mpg according to the trip computer, and she is NOT a fast driver!

It is very comfortable, but no longer sets the class standard. Interior wasn't as well-done as the ML350 I drove (a friend of mine got one last month), in both design and materials quality. The part that the RX excels in? Navigation system. The Lexus navi is so much better than that of the ML... much easier to use. However, ML is the last-gen COMAND with all of those little buttons. S-Class's is better.

Fancy Grand Cherokee?! Definitely not...Mercedes did a great job with design on the ML. It looks a hell lot better than the previous generation. You put the right wheels on it, it would look even hotter. Very nice looking SUV.

Agreed, much improved in quality and looks. They deserve the award.

The RX is one of the most solid-feeling vehicles I've ever driven. The new ML is in no way significantly superior to the RX or X5. The design is mediocre with its small taillights and unoriginal RX headlights, and there's a significant amount of black plastic in the ML with those smallish buttons everywhere.

RX is for chicks!

First off RX is not even in the X5 category so don't put those names side by side. Another thing is it's not like the RX has no plastic either so I don't know what you're smoking. Lastly, the ML has much improved since the last generation. Your name says it all. You're a Audi/Lexus fan so that's why you're supporting the RX (which is majority women driven).

My friend has both the RX and the ML. Both are solid feeling but I think the ML's top competitors are the:
Volvo XC90, Acura MDX, Lexus GX 470, and the BMW X5. But apparently the RX is targeting the ML but they don't have an RX-F to compete with the quick ML63. Size wise it's smaller as well. I think the RX and the X3 would be better competition because of size.

At what speeds is the RX solid? Anything over 80mph the thing feels like it will roll if you sneeze with your hands on the wheel! Not nearly as solid feeling as the competition, very floating feel which is uncomfortable.

Sitting behind the Volvo guys in safety class is paying off.