Just as the ML 500 offers a better powertrain, the optional Airmatic Air Suspension Package is a must-have add-on. In the Airmatic Air Suspension’s sport mode, you get excellent road feel and sharper cornering. And while the M-Class doesn’t quite measure up to the “rides like a car” claim from Mercedes-Benz executives, proper adjustment of its suspension gives the joy of driving a kick in the pants. If performance is indeed a priority, buy the ML 500 with Air Suspension; it has 18-inch wheels (19-inchers are optional) and gets an even better level of performance, as the tires stick to corners and get the most out of the V8’s 306 horsepower. Most impressive is the torque that comes out of the V8: 339 lb.-ft at 2,700 rpm gets you flying from on-ramp to fast lane. If a smooth ride is more of what you’re looking for, set the suspension to comfort, close your eyes, and poof! – you’re playing barge in the bathtub.

A little bit of both settings is probably best – for when your Mom comes to visit. She is the reason behind the existence of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class: a luxury wagon that handles while handling traffic, groceries and errands. And there’s no question this car will handle those chores quite fine, while keeping passengers and packages on the road with the new four-wheel electronic traction system (4-ETS+).

Never using such technology is the goal, of course, one made slightly more possible by the ease with which you can drive it down the road. Nothing, really, is hard about it – which is exactly how a luxury SUV should be. The 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is as quiet as a church mouse on the road, with nary a whine coming up from the wheels or a rattle in the cabin. Tight maneuvers and U-turns are easy, thanks to a decent turning radius. Steering – rack and pinion in the 2006 model – is improved from the previous model. In fact, the difference between outgoing and oncoming models is like the difference between a car and a truck – literally.

The new ML, to be built in Alabama, rides on a new, unibody platform – what that means to the motoring public is that the underpinnings of the M-Class are now car-based. That improves the driving experience, and the M-Class is still able to tow up to 5,000 lbs. Loading and unloading the cargo area looks to be easy, and Mercedes-Benz improved the M-Class with a partial power liftgate, as standard. The fully automatic liftgate is a must-have option, as is a cargo management area that enables you to clip loose items to one of two rails that run along the floor of the cargo area.

There’s enough power no matter which model you choose – though much more fun awaits in the ML 500. And though it took some time to get comfortable with Mercedes’ Sensotronic brakes during an afternoon spent on freeway and twisty roads, it’s hard to find fault in the overall drive quality of the car. Either M-Class likes it best on the freeway, with passing power from either the V6 or V8 engine and enough torque to accelerate into or out of traffic.

Maybe the ML 500 has too much torque, actually – you’ll want to get off the freeway and take it on routes where you can really enjoy it. That will make you late for dinner and you’ll get busted down to Cadillac duty.