Under the Hood

The ML350 carries a 232-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 engine, while the ML500 comes with a 288-hp, 5.0-liter V-8. Both models use a five-speed-automatic transmission with a manual shift gate. The permanently engaged four-wheel-drive system has a Low-range gear setting, and it distributes power among the four wheels as needed to maintain traction. Unlike its X5 and RX 330 rivals, Mercedes insists that the M-Class is a true offroad vehicle.

    See also:

    Deactivating/activating ESP®
    Observe the "Important safety notes" section. WARNING ESP® should not be deactivated during normal driving other than in the circumstances described below. Disabling the system ...

    Important safety notes
    Cruise control maintains a constant road speed for you. It brakes automatically in order to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and steep downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is la ...

    Pedestrian recognition
    WARNING Pedestrian recognition may be impaired or inoperative if:  - pedestrians are partially or entirely obscured by objects, e.g. parked vehicles.  - the silhouette of the pede ...