The new ML-Class from Mercedes-Benz is absolutely huge! Flinging myself across the driver’s seat to hoist myself up did little to dispel my feelings of utter minutia.
The ML320 CDI that I had the pleasure of sampling was delightfully sumptuous and very comfortable to drive – once on the go. Despite its size, the ML’s diesel powerplant was impressively responsive to urging by my right foot, and nimble when on the charge.
Its sheer size was a big of a bother though, especially in tight areas. Some SUV’s, while big, don’t necessarily feel as big from behind the steering wheel. The ML never let me forget that it was at least seven times my size, and from my seat position, it was often tough just determining where the car’s bumpers ended and the neighbouring car, or building, began.
Luckily, having seats and a steering wheel that could be adjusted in any manner of ways was a great help and finding a comfortable driving position was not as tough as expected. From my elevated position, I found my view of the side mirrors to be distorted and annoyingly vertigo-inducing, and they were not quite big enough.
It was especially tough determining where the SUV’s rear bumper was while switching lanes. That bulging midsection also had me praying that cars driving abreast would keep their distances. All of which made me extraordinarily cautious, since I imagine its size would also make it very easy to trip over smaller cars.
