The real surprise is the ML’s handling. The rack and pinion steering is nicely weighted, immediately responsive and completely different to the mushy feel of some of its saloon siblings which have an autobahn-biased set-up. In fact, we found the M-class’ steering to be more responsive than the E-class. Body control is superb and far superior to the Pajero, its immediate rival. There is surprisingly little roll and the huge M-class darts into corners with amazing agility. Roadholding via the all-independent suspension and fat 225/75R16 tyres is superb and you don’t get that top-heavy feel that you usually associate with big SUVs. As a result, driving the ML270 is a relaxing process both on the highway and in town and considering its bulk it does a good job on country roads as well.

Where the M-Class disappoints is with its ride quality, especially on rough roads at low speeds. It can be excessively bouncy, bordering on uncomfortable for the rear seat passengers. While the firmly set-up suspension means you can power over all manner of third-degree craters without a care in the world, you can still feel every dip, bump and pothole. This certainly detracts from the overall driving experience as you expect a certain minimum level of ride comfort from such an expensive vehicle. Such a suspension set-up pays rich dividends off-road where the M-class excels. Sadly, owners are rarely going to venture far from tarmac but we did just that to find out how good the M-class was off the road.

Driving it up and down the dirt tracks on the outskirts of Pune, the M-class dared us to virtually take it anywhere, even up the steepest slopes. The M-class owes a lot of its all-terrain ability to electronics and this shows up best when you are storming up steep slopes. You simply keep the foot down and let the microchips look for grip. Coming down a steep incline, sensors let the system know when to put the brakes on and when to let them go. The feeling of being alternately caught and let go, all the way to the bottom of a steep and slippery gravelly slope, was quite unnerving. But the M-class managed with aplomb.

Mercedes fits electronic stability control to the ML270 which electronically controls front and rear tyre slippage if necessary but with the ML’s huge reserves of grip, drivers will have little need to fall back on it. The brakes are generously specified with massive discs all around, ABS and Brake Assist which automatically applies more braking force when it senses the driver is making a panic stop. However, this didn’t translate into outstanding braking figures and the spongy brake pedal lacked bite.

Outstanding handling but bumpy ride the trade-off