| Somewhat disappointed
Thanks for the photos. Lots of positives, but two big negatives noted. Cupholders are ugly and no effort made to disguise them at all. Electric control switches for seats still attached to seats rather than on door panel as in the higher priced Mercedes Sedans. This may seem trite, but driving the E Class with the switches on the side door is so much nicer than having to reach down and feel by braille to adust the seating position as I have to every time I enter my M Class. It is something you have to do every time you enter the vehicle so is very noticeable.
Styling? Guess the jury is still out on the comb toothy grill. Would like to see what the grills look like with some of the alternative option packages described in the press release.
Absence of a third seat? My take here is Mercedes was already afraid the M Class was too close to the new G Class so are saving the third seat option to help distinguish it when it comes out next year. It is odd though that the $26,000 Honda Pilot comes with a nifty third seat that folds flat into the floor and the $40,000 M Class can't match it. The Pilot also offers as standard equipment the locking differential feature that is an extra cost option on the M. As others have noted the new M Class is a close styling look-a-like to the Kia Sorrento but in terms of value and quality the Honda Pilot may be more threatening. |