How cheap is car insurance for a Mercedes-Benz M Class?

As with any luxury SUV, comprehensive auto insurance for the Mercedes-Benz M Class costs a lot because any damage the vehicle incurs will be very expensive to fix. The Mercedes-Benz M Class will also be very expensive to replace if it is totaled in an accident. However, you can lower your car insurance rates for the Mercedes-Benz M Class by opting for higher deductibles and taking advantage of all of the auto insurance discounts that your insurer offers.

Car insurance rates are based not just on the amount of coverage that you choose, but also on your own personal risk profile. Drivers who are married homeowners are statistically less risky, so they tend to pay lower rates. Young male drivers are historically very risky, so they tend to pay higher premiums for car insurance. Your personal rates will be affected by these and many other factors, so you should enter your zip code into the box to get individualized rates. However, you can get important details about the Mercedes-Benz M Class by reading this article first.

Mercedes-Benz M Class Facts

Production of the Mercedes-Benz M Class compact luxury SUV began in 1997 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. When it went on the market in 1998, the Mercedes-Benz M Class was named Motor Trend’s “Truck of the Year” and it was also designated “North American Truck of the Year” by voters at the North American International Auto Show. The Popemobile is based on this first generation Mercedes-Benz M Class.

The larger and sportier Mercedes-Benz M Class appeared on the market in 2006. Although it did not make quite the same splash that the first generation Mercedes-Benz M Class did, it was named the “Best New Sport Utility Vehicle” at Canada’s Car of the Year awards.

Mercedes-Benz M Class Ratings

U.S. News and World Report ranked the 2011 Mercedes-Benz M Class ninth out of 17 luxury midsize SUVs on the market. The 2011 Volkswagen Touareg took home first place overall, and the fourth-ranked Lexus RX 350 was designated “Best Luxury Midsize Crossover for the Money.” The Mercedes-Benz M Class tied with the Porsche Cayenne for the ninth-place spot, and it outranked both the BMW X5 and X6.

Mercedes-Benz M Class Performance Options

While the Mercedes-Benz M Class does not necessarily stand out in a class full of powerful and well-equipped SUVs, it does offer a range of engine choices that is not available from most manufacturers. For traditionalists, the Mercedes-Benz ML350 uses standard fuel and generates 260 horsepower with its 3.5 liter V6 engine. The Mercedes-Benz ML550 also uses standard fuel, but its more powerful 5.5 liter V8 engine cranks out 382 horsepower.

If you’re interested in saving fuel, you should consider the ML350 BlueTEC or the ML450 Hybrid. The diesel-powered ML350 BlueTEC is actually more fuel efficient than the ML450 Hybrid, and more affordable as well. The diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz M Class gets an average of 25 mpg and starts at $50,490, while the hybrid Mercedes-Benz M Class gets an average of 24 mpg and starts at $55,790. However, if you do mostly city driving, the ML450 Hybrid might be a better option for you, since it outperforms the ML350 BlueTEC in city driving by 2 mpg.

All members of the Mercedes-Benz M Class family except for the ML350 come standard with all-wheel drive, and it is an option on the ML350. All M Class SUVs come equipped with a 7-speed automatic transmission except for the ML450 Hybrid, which has a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Overall, reviewers like Consumer Guide and Car and Driver approve of the Mercedes-Benz M Class’ acceleration, braking and handling, but they don’t feel that the M Class stands out in its crowded category. According to U.S. News and World Report, the BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne all offer stronger performance and more power.

Mercedes-Benz M Class Interior Options

All Mercedes-Benz M Class models seat up to five passengers and have 29.4 cubic feet of cargo space. Although a leather steering wheel is standard on all Mercedes-Benz M Class vehicles, leather seats are optional no matter which model you choose. Heated front seats are standard in the ML550, and both heated and cooled seats are optional in other models. A premium sound system with a 6-disc CD changer and MP3 connectivity is standard in all models, but Mercedes-Benz’ COMAND navigation system is optional.

As with performance, the Mercedes-Benz M Class delivers a luxurious interior that doesn’t distinguish it from the competition. Since many features that are standard on most luxury SUVs, like leather seats, are not standard on the Mercedes-Benz M Class, it receives lower ratings than comparable vehicles from Volkswagen and Lexus.

Mercedes-Benz M Class Safety Ratings

The Mercedes-Benz M Class is equipped with all of the standard safety features you’d expect on a luxury SUV. Although the 2011 model hasn’t been tested yet, the 2010 model received solid safety ratings from both the federal government and the insurance industry. Its lowest score was a four out of five star rating for rollovers, but this is still an excellent score, especially for an SUV.

Mercedes-Benz M Class Car Insurance

The average Mercedes-Benz M Class owner will pay $1,431 per year for car insurance during the first five years of ownership, according to Kelley Blue Book. This works out to around $120 per month. It’s important to remember, though, that car insurance rates are based on your individual risk profile. The best way to get an accurate estimate of how much it will cost to insure your Mercedes-Benz M Class is to enter your zip code in the box.

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