If the exterior of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML250 pictured here looks nearly identical to the 2014 ML350 it replaces, that鈥檚 probably because it is. Comparisons are inevitable, so let鈥檚 get this out of the way right now: Packing 200 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, the diesel in ML250 trim can鈥檛 match the 240-hp and 455-lb-ft ratings of the departed ML350鈥檚 turbo-diesel V-6. But losing two cylinders has its benefits, namely a reduction in weight. Registering a still-hefty 5041 pounds on the C/D scales, the ML250 nevertheless shaves 162 pounds off the 5203-pound figure of a 2013 ML350 BlueTec 4MATIC we tested for a recent diesel-SUV comparo. Unfortunately, the reduction in weight isn鈥檛 enough to offset the loss of muscle. At 8.3 seconds to 60 mph and 16.3 seconds to the quarter-mile mark, the ML250 gives up about a second to the 7.0- and 15.4-second times delivered by the old ML350鈥檚 V-6.

EPA city/highway ratings of 22/29 mpg put the ML250 right in the ballpark with competitors such as the BMW X5 xDrive35d diesel, the Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel 4x4, and the Volkswagen Touareg TDI. Communicative steering has never been a key element of the SUV formula, and the ML250 does little to change that truism. There鈥檚 no doubt that the ultralight steering will be appreciated during parking maneuvers and tight stop-and-go driving, and even though the wheel weights up with increased speeds, the feel remains artificial, unprogressive, and devoid of nuance. 1610) offers the option of firming things up with a Sport setting, and it does a competent job of keeping things on an even keel in the standard Comfort mode, as well. Based on the taut yet creamy highway ride it provides, the air suspension is one option box we鈥檇 check without remorse. 500), which did a good job of prioritizing a quiet ride over all-out traction and directional fussiness. The ML250 required 176 feet to stop from 70 mph, 13 feet fewer than needed by the ML350 to perform the same task; our test driver did note some mild fade and a squishy pedal under repeated stops. What hasn鈥檛 changed about the ML is its capacity to haul five passengers and a fair amount of cargo in comfortable and luxurious surroundings. 720), this Benz softly speaks things that flashier SUVs feel the need to shout. One word of caution: Venturing into the ML鈥檚 order sheet can hit a bank account rather hard. 68,610 in less time than it takes to brew a pot of responsibly harvested free-trade coffee. But hey, sometimes it鈥檚 okay to splurge if the contents are worthy of the fancy label on the package.

Volkswagen offers five diesel car models and one SUV. For 2015, all car models get a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The engine produces 150 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. It's offered exclusively in front-wheel drive applications with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. ADDITIONAL READING: 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf Vs. With this engine, the Golf hatchback is rated at 36 mpg combined (31 mpg city, 43 mpg highway) with the automatic. The manual loses 1 mpg in the city category, and 2 mpg in the highway category. There's also a 2015 Golf SportWagen that replaces the 2014 Jetta SportWagen. It gets slightly lower mileage than the hatchback, at 35 mpg combined (31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway) with the automatic and 35 mpg combined (31 mpg city, 43 mpg highway) with the manual. The Jetta compact sedan gets 36 mpg combined (31 mpg city 45 mpg highway) with the automatic and gains 1 mpg highway with the manual. The larger Passat gets 34 mpg combined (40 mpg city, 42 mpg highway) and 35 mpg combined (40 mpg city, 44 mpg highway) with the automatic and manual, respectively. Even the retro-styled Beetle is available in TDI form. The coupe gets 34 mpg combined (31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway) with either manual and automatic transmissions, while the convertible loses 1 mpg in the city and highway categories.

STAR CERTIFIED W/ 24MONTH POWERTRAIN WARRANTY! Bluetooth, Navigation, 360 Camera, Heated Steering Wheel, KEYLESS GO, PARKTRONIC w/ Active Parking Assist, Panoramic Sunroof, Power Tailgate, Exterior Power Folding Side Mirrors, Heated Front Seats, AMG Exterior Package, Trailer Hitch, All Wheel Drive, and more! Shipping is available nationwide! This GLK250 4MATIC has less than 67,000 KMS! A FREE CarProof is available to be viewed. The GLK250 4MATIC is a great all around vehicle that offers comfort, performance, fuel savings, and space. We are certain upon a test drive, you will love what this vehicle has to offer. Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg is Manitoba鈥檚 premier Luxury dealership with a brand new state of the art facility. Our showrooms are temperature controlled including our pre-owned showroom located in the basement of the dealership. We carry premium new and pre-owned vehicles at prices that are highly competitive in today鈥檚 market. Can鈥檛 find what you are looking for? Just ask, and we do our best to fulfill your needs. We would love to meet you, so please call, email or come visit us at 23 Rothwell Rd! What are you waiting for?

What It Is: The Mercedes-Benz GLA-class small crossover, spotted wearing its thinnest camo yet. The playful, swoopy lines favored by chief designer Gorden Wagener work well on this compact crossover, but casual observers may have a hard time distinguishing it as a Mercedes without spotting the three-pointed star positioned in the grille. The GLA was previewed by the Concept GLA unveiled at the Shanghai auto show earlier this year, and will lose the massive 20-inch wheels, the recessed door handles, and the laser/LED headlights for production. Our look at the interior of this prototype reveals that Benz is using what appears to be a near-identical version of the CLA's dashboard. The Concept GLA's Plexiglas unit remains nothing more than a vision. The series-production model will be available with a large panoramic roof, a fact confirmed by these spy shots. Why It Matters: Its mission is to provide an affordable entry point into the world of Mercedes-Benz SUVs.