2012 Mercedes M-CLass ML350 Review- Abundant Technology for a Safer Ride (w. off-road video)

This week Mercedes Benz unveiled their new 2012 M-Class ML350 sport utility vehicle, a smooth car-like ride with luxurious styling whose inherent technology makes driving safer. During my stay at Paws Up in Montana, I learned and experienced features that pair smart technology with the car’s integrated sensors to provide a safer ride and can save lives. 

Useful new technology makes the M-Class an appealing choice for a family vehicle due to a roomy interior, plenty of cargo space, and the many standard safety features and optional add-ons that provide a safety net for those split seconds of distracted driving.

Pre-Safe Technology prevents accidents before they happen

The Pre-Safe technology in M-Class vehicles senses impending accidents and takes protective measures even before impact, giving new meaning to smart cars. The development of PRE-SAFE was based on the findings of Mercedes-Benz accident researchers, who concluded that two-thirds of all accidents are preceded by skidding, emergency braking or a sudden evasive maneuver that indicates the possibility of an impending crash – all of which can provide valuable seconds of advance warning before impact. 

Pre-Safe will adjust seatbelt tension, tilt seats to an angle that is more favorable to the oncoming crash, and closes the sunroof or side window if the car starts to skid. Of course, if a crash is avoided, the system will reset to it’s previous settings.

Attention Assist wakes you up when you're on the go-go

Attention Assist detects drowsiness and warns the driver to take a break before they fall asleep at the wheel. It works by pairing a steering sensor with smart software that establishes a driver profile within the first 20 minutes of driving. The system can identify erratic steering corrections when the car is traveling between 50-112 mph and beeps to warn drives as well as flashing “Time for a rest?” in the instrument cluster.

Lane Keeping Assist keeps you on the straight and narrow

Well, maybe not the straight and narrow but certainly helps prevent you from crossing the double yellow line into oncoming traffic. Imagine having your own special computer in your vehicle specifically designed to analyze images from a multi-purpose camera in the windshield and recognizes lane markings. That’s how Lane Keeping Assist works. 

On the drive to Paws Up from the airport, I got to experience Lane Keeping Assist when I encountered a large logging truck pulled over on the side of the road. Since the logging truck was occupying the shoulder, I drifted left to give it a little more space. The car sensed that I was crossing the double yellow line and pulled me back towards the center of the lane. At first it was a little startling because I didn’t know this was a feature having just gotten in the car and I was deliberately avoiding the logging truck. But I could see how this could be helpful in helping avoid a collision with oncoming traffic if a driver was drifting off to sleep.

Active Curve System ensures the vehicle stays upright

Whether confronted with hazardous weather conditions, treating urban freeways like the Autobahn, or off roading, the Active Curve System keeps the ML350 from tipping over. This feature was tested during three trips around the off-road course with Katja Presnal from Skimbaco Lifestyle and Desiree Miller (StressFreeBaby.com) where we thoroughly tested the M-Class’ vehicle stability and probably won us the award for the dirtiest vehicle. 

Katja's Finnish heritage made her a natural on the off-road course having participated in rally racing. Thanks to her confidence on a twisty, rocky, dirt course and standard agility control called Active Curve System, I felt completely safe in the car. Never once did the vehicle seem to falter even around hairpiin turns. Take a look and Katja’s mad off-road driving skills and be forewarned- the course was bumpy!

The Active Curve System features active anti-roll bars that are split in the middle to help regulate the cars' hydraulics. The counteracting bars prevent the vehicle from rolling and also keeps passengers from getting thrown around. A warning system does indicate when the car is operating in unsafe conditions and acts by emitting an audible beep and lighting up the red lights mounted to the top of the dashboard. Needless to say, this system was going off constantly during each of our three runs on the off road corse.

The car’s Electronic Stability Program (ESP) also works to determine the path being steered in relation to the car’s actual path. Combined with the Active Curve System, both probably helped Katja expertly maneuver the car through the tight curves and over rocky terrain while keeping passengers (and the cows we encountered on the course) safe! 

Distronic Plus acts as your guardian angel by applying brakes before impact

This optional feature is a braking system that uses radar sensors and cameras to determine a safe distance between the car ahead and is designed to save lives. Distronic Plus beeps to warn drivers that they are approaching a stationary object at various intervals and will automatically apply the brakes if the driver is distracted and not responding quickly enough.

The sensors and cameras serve as monitors to gauge time before impact. At 1.6 seconds before impact, 40% of the car’s braking power will be applied to slow the vehicle down. 0.6 seconds before the collision, 100% of the brakes will be applied. Mercedes has a great testimonial video featuring Vic Gundotra, the Vice President of Engineering at Google, who shared how Distronic Plus saved his life by helping him avoid a collision with a car stopped right in front of him.

Thoughtfully designed, the M-Class ML350 has many other great features that make for driving comfort and convenience and while not a comprehensive list, some of my favorite optional and standard features include:

• Heated & cooled cup holders for keeping cold drinks cold, coffee and baby bottles hot. Individual metal plates at the bottom of the cup holders can warm and cool!
• 7" display that is high on the dashboard that helps keep your eyes on the road
• iPad docking station that holds the iPad® in place behind the headrests of the front seats, allowing rear occupants to view while being charged through the vehicle's electrical system
• Rain sensing intermittent wipers
• Bluetooth interface for hands-free calling and Bluetooth Audio Streaming
• Power Lift Gate in the back that raises at the touch of a button
• Heated front seats
• CD/ DVD / MP3 /AM/ FM/ Weatherband radio
• Automatic headlamps with twilight sensor & locator lighting

The Mercedes Benz M-Class ML350 starts at $48,900 and comes in Black, Obsidian Black, Capri Blue, Arctic White, Steel Grey, Iridium Silver, Palladium Silver, Pearl Beige, Dakota Brown, and Diamond White.

I was a guest of Mercedes Benz for their M-Class press event. Mercedes provided travel arrangements and accommodations but I was not required to write about the event. All opinions are my own and no compensation was received. Images courtesy of Mercedes.