Mercedes-Benz first entered the luxury SUV market with the ML-Class nearly a decade prior to 2009, and the 2009 09 Mercedes Ml350 marked a significant step in its evolution. Moving away from its truck-based origins, the second-generation M-Class, including the 09 Mercedes ML350, embraced a more car-like driving experience, becoming a refined and easy-to-handle utility vehicle. The 2009 Mercedes ML350 benefited from continuous improvements over the years, including suspension tweaks, enhanced safety features, and updated equipment, arriving as a compelling option in a shifting automotive landscape.
Inside the 09 Mercedes ML350, drivers and passengers were greeted with an updated and more user-friendly version of the Mercedes-Benz COMAND interface. This system in the 2009 ML350 included essential features like Bluetooth phone connectivity, an auxiliary input jack, and a convenient in-dash six-CD/DVD changer. For those seeking the latest technology, an optional upgrade to the COMAND system in the 09 Mercedes ML350 offered a suite of advanced features. This included a voice-activated, hard-drive-based navigation system with 4GB of music storage, satellite radio, HD radio, Zagat restaurant reviews, and seamless iPod integration. These technology enhancements made the 2009 Mercedes ML350 a modern and well-equipped luxury SUV.
Fuel efficiency was becoming an increasingly important consideration for SUV buyers, and Mercedes-Benz addressed this with the introduction of the ML320 Bluetec model alongside the 09 Mercedes ML350. While the standard engine for models like the 09 Mercedes ML350 remained a capable gasoline engine, the Bluetec offered a diesel alternative. Replacing the previous ML320 CDI, the ML320 Bluetec featured a 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine that utilized a special additive to achieve cleaner emissions. This Bluetec engine was 50-state legal, unlike its CDI predecessor, and boasted a 17 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the EPA ratings for the regular 09 Mercedes ML350. While the Bluetec model offered enhanced fuel efficiency, the 09 Mercedes ML350 provided a different balance of performance and fuel consumption, catering to varied driver preferences. Although the Bluetec might have slightly less power for high-speed passing and came with a higher price tag, it presented an intriguing alternative to the standard 09 Mercedes ML350 for those prioritizing fuel economy.
Overall, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350 maintained the core attributes that defined the Mercedes-Benz brand: exceptional quality, luxurious appointments, brand prestige, and advanced safety features. In the competitive luxury midsize SUV segment, the 09 Mercedes ML350 faced rivals like the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Lexus RX 350, Porsche Cayenne, and Volkswagen Touareg 2, many of which had been recently updated or introduced. It’s worth noting that the 09 Mercedes ML350, unlike some competitors, did not offer a third-row seating option. Furthermore, equipping the 2009 Mercedes ML350 with numerous optional features could elevate its price considerably. However, for buyers seeking a five-passenger luxury midsize SUV with cutting-edge technology and comfortable seating, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350 remained a compelling choice in the market.
