It's getting harder and harder to hate SUVs these days. As manufacturers continue to walk down their own personal Green Mile toward stiffer CAFE standards, engineers have been working double-time to come up with creative ways to increase fuel economy without putting drivability or power on the sacrificial altar. As a result, the once-lumbering sport utilities of old have matured into smooth-riding, even-keeled unibody machines with the manners of significantly smaller models. Few vehicles embody that change quite as poignantly as the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec. The M-Class has entered into its third generation of production, and the new model now comes equipped with more power and efficiency while maintaining last year's MSRP. Designers have also taken the time to iron some of the awkward out of the SUV's design with an improved front fascia and other tweaks, and there's more standard technology onboard than ever before. Continue reading to find out why the 2012 ML350 BlueTec 4Matic is the best reason we've seen yet to quit worrying and love the SUV. The 2012 model has come a long way from the rolling-ski-boot aesthetics of its forebearers thanks in part to a few massaged exterior dimensions.

It's getting harder and harder to hate SUVs these days. As manufacturers continue to walk down their own personal Green Mile toward stiffer CAFE standards, engineers have been working double-time to come up with creative ways to increase fuel economy without putting drivability or power on the sacrificial altar. As a result, the once-lumbering sport utilities of old have matured into smooth-riding, even-keeled unibody machines with the manners of significantly smaller models. Few vehicles embody that change quite as poignantly as the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec. The M-Class has entered into its third generation of production, and the new model now comes equipped with more power and efficiency while maintaining last year's MSRP. Designers have also taken the time to iron some of the awkward out of the SUV's design with an improved front fascia and other tweaks, and there's more standard technology onboard than ever before. Continue reading to find out why the 2012 ML350 BlueTec 4Matic is the best reason we've seen yet to quit worrying and love the SUV. The 2012 model has come a long way from the rolling-ski-boot aesthetics of its forebearers thanks in part to a few massaged exterior dimensions.

Though the ML350 continues to ride on the same 114.7-inch wheelbase as last year, the vehicle is now a full inch longer from bow to stern. It also rides three-quarters of an inch lower and has grown an additional half-inch in width. Those are small adjustments, to be sure, but they help give the vehicle a more planted presence in the flesh. Designers incorporated a new nose to match the vehicle's measurements, and the front fascia now incorporates the vertical corporate Mercedes-Benz grille and dish plate-sized Silver Arrow emblem. Integrated LED daytime running lights are tucked into lower-fascia air inlets, and a new chrome treatment trims out the lower bumper. Mercedes-Benz calls the flashy plastic a skid plate, but don't be fooled into thinking the piece will do anything other than roll over and cry at the thought of an impact. It's an awful lot of shiny on an otherwise restrained design and we aren't entirely thrilled with the addition. New headlights are also part of the package, and for a little extra coin, buyers can opt for adaptive bi-xenon units with corner illuminating lights.

Engineers claim that the high-tech high beams can improve cornering visibility by as much as 90 percent. Along the side, the 2012 M-Class maintains the high belt line and swept C-pillar of the previous generation, and new 19-inch wheels are standard equipment. Chrome roof rails are now standard as well, as are attractive running boards and side-view mirrors with integrated turning indicators. The rear of the SUV continues to carry its wrapped rear glass and faux D-pillarless appearance, though a new roof-mounted spoiler is standard and the rear fascia has been significantly reworked. Designers opted to remove the integrated exhaust for the first time in favor of a wing-design chrome treatment that Mercedes-Benz once again calls a skid plate. We're beginning to think those words do not mean what they think they mean. Even so, we like the detail work better than front treatment. Instead of allowing the pipes to exit through the rear fascia, they're now downturned and hidden behind the bumper.

While the interior of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class continues to offer high-quality leather seats, excellent wood trim and a stylish four-spoke steering wheel, Mercedes-Benz has executed a few significant changes designed to make the cabin more user-friendly. Those start with the fact that the seat controls have been moved from down below the bottom cushion to the upper door panel. That means occupants no longer have to fumble with hidden switches to accurately position the eight-way power adjustable buckets. In addition, interior designers finally moved the cruise control lever from above the turn indicator stalk to below it. One of the age-old gripes with the Mercedes cruise interface was that it was too easy to confuse the stalks while trying to change lanes. The new configuration easily takes care of that ail, and we're told to expect to see the improvement spread across the company's other models. The gauge cluster incorporates analog speedometer and tachometer dials with a new 4.5-inch LCD screen mounted between the two.

The screen can be manipulated by a five-way switch on the top left spoke of the steering wheel to display everything from fuel economy and distance traveled to GPS directions. Speaking of navigation, Mercedes-Benz has also scrapped the old color LCD screen mounted on the dash for a new standard 7-inch display that handles infotainment duties via the Command system control mounted on the center console. The interface now includes two programmable favorite buttons that can instantly call up directions home or any other number of functions. The SUV is also packed with safety gear, including nine standard airbags, attention assist, an adaptive brake system, electronic stability program and anti-slip regulation, among other features. When the M-Class goes on sale later this year, buyers will be able to choose between a 3.5-liter direct-injection V6 and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. The gasoline engine delivers 302 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque, representing 13 and 6 percent increases, respectively.