When Mercedes announced that it would join the 4x4 fray back in 1995, we began to envision a tank-like urban assault vehicle.  After all, Mercedes is the designer of the Gelandwagen (G-wagen), aka the G320.  Yes, it may look like a locally-assembled armored truck, but the G-wagen is almost unstoppable, the vehicle of choice for the German army.  So was Merc about to produce a new G?

However, Mercedes' vision of itself was changing.  It would no longer build the best vehicle it could and then price it as it wished, but it would target a particular market and engineer the vehicle accordingly.  Benz' target was the luxury 4x4, dominated by the Mitsubishi Pajero, Jeep Cherokee and Land Rover Discovery.  (The Range Rover and Toyota Land Cruiser were in a higher, even pricier category.)

The concept M-class was sleek and compact, the antidote to the usual 4x4 I'm-a-tough-truck appearance.  Then came its debut in the Lost World.  In that movie, it managed to pull up a camper-trailer several times its weight while clawing through mud.  At least until bigger creatures put an end to it.  The real ML might not be ready for Isla Nublar, but it is ready for Isla Pilipinas.

Remember that this vehicle is not much longer than a CR-V (barely three inches), but it packs a voluminous interior for both passengers and cargo.  As in the G-class, the interior would not be out of place in a Merc sedan.  Some of the plastic bits are evidence that the M has been designed to a certain price, but overall, the interior is quite satisfactory.  Early problems with fit and finish seem to have been resolved, too.  The M was first assembled in the USA, its primary market.

A unique feature in the M-class is its three individual rear seats, each of which can slide backward or forward independently of the others.  This means you won't have to rub elbows or thighs with someone if you don't want to.  If you're riding with Denise Richards, though, that's another story.  Adding to the utility is the available third row of seats, which are also leather-covered.  With the third row, the M can seat seven in comfort.  If you need the space for cargo, simply fold the third row into the floor and you have a surprisingly large area for your stuff.