The M Class shouldn't really be here. It is built in America for American tastes, and in Europe it feels unpolished and rough. Old-fashioned separate chassis gives a poor ride and indifferent cornering. The cabin is large, but the plastics feel far flimsier than you would expect in a Merc. And it can't get close to a Land Rover Discovery or Mitsubishi Shogun off-road. Basic 3.2 V6 is the sweetest petrol engine, 5.0 and 5.5 V8s offer more performance but truly appalling fuel economy. 2.7 CDI turbodiesel is the best powerplant, especially when working with the optional smooth-shifting autobox.