Mercedes-Benz M-Class

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class is a five-passenger luxury SUV. Trim levels include the ML350 Bluetec with a 50-state-legal turbodiesel V6, the hybrid-powered ML450, the ML350 with a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and the ML550 with a 382-hp 5.5-liter V8. If you're looking to spice things up, you can also choose a fuel-slurping 503-hp ML63 AMG high-performance version. The diesel ML350 delivers 210 hp and 400 pound-feet of torque, doesn't cost too much more than the ML350 and promises highway fuel economy in the mid-20s.

The ML450 Hybrid features a 3.5-liter V6, a pair of electric motors and an advanced transmission that has both fixed and continuously variable ratios. The transmission has eight forward speeds, and total combined output is 335 hp and 381 lb-ft of torque. The estimated 0-60 time is 7.8 seconds. Estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg city/24 mpg highway.

The M-Class SUVs come standard with full-time four-wheel drive (except for the base rear-wheel-drive ML350), automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, the COMAND interface and a six-CD/DVD changer. A hard-drive-based navigation system with upgraded COMAND is optional. Available features across the lineup include an air suspension with adaptive damping, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, rear climate controls and a rear-seat entertainment system. The ML63 AMG adds unique styling elements and performance-oriented mechanical bits along with its larger engine.