Sweet rides are made of these

MANILA, Philippines - Ilove driving.    No matter how near or far I’m heading, once I get behind the wheel and switch on the engine, I become a happier person.

I guess it’s the experience of being able to take control of where I am going — and that could mean a trip to nowhere really or somewhere important. Or perhaps it’s the space that I am able to have when I take a long drive alone. Or it can even be the happy moments spent driving other people around and sharing secrets along the way. Or the many times I have listened to friends talk about life and its mysteries.

Whatever the reasons, driving is what I consider a piece of heaven here on earth.

Happy Days

The year began on a so-so mode for me, until I met the Mercedes Benz ML 350 CDI. It was CATS Motors, the authorized dealer of MB in the country that invited me to do the test drive.

Happiness.

If there is one thing that I do know about the MB M-Class SUVs, it’s that they are the best-sellers of all the Mercedes-Benz SUVs all over the world. 

I was told that this is the first time that CATS is bringing in a diesel engine M-class. Just perfect.

I am a rough-roader, I prefer SUVs, jeeps, and outdoor-type of vehicles to the more classy sedans. That’s because long drives are best when done on off-roaders. The ML 350 CDI is such a beauty. My excitement began as soon as I saw the SUV.

M-Class is one of the best off-roaders I have ever seen.

As soon as I got the keys and opened the door, I had become happier.

I just love how the MB 350 CDI gave me the feel of being in the lap of luxury. The interiors are quite luxurious, with leather seats and adjustment for seats and side view mirrors at the push of a button. Although I am a small driver, I noticed that the well-appointed cabin had lots of space and ample head and legroom. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is equipped with audio controls — making it fun to let the radio blast on, at will. The cabin is equipped with automatic climate and air-quality control. Of course, the little storage spaces, in the form of cup holders, are provided for the front as well as rear seat passengers.

And that was just the start.

On the outside, the 350 CDI is all muscle, the better to feel safe inside. The new-generation SUV sports a newly designed front grille and really cool headlamps.

Drive On

I really love the way the Benz melds the high-tech touch button features without losing the classic feel of original Benz. The knobs for the radio and air-conditioning controls are still the classic knobs the Benz has been known for. Unlike lots of the newer cars that change everything — this MB 350CDI mixes the modern and the classic in a really superb cockpit.

I started the engine and took a few minutes to get familiar with the controls. Easy.

I had set the day for driving — and driving is what I did. First stop was Subic.

I made it to the NLEX in easy time and great comfort.

It was SUV driving in sedan comfort. The NLEX is such a smooth ride — so it was inside the 350 CDI. I just love how I felt secure in this SUV and yet I never felt overwhelmed by its size. Actually, it is perfect for moms and folks like me who like to feel safe in the comfort of their cars.

As I drove along, I fiddled around with the new exterior door mirrors, new projection-beam headlights and dark-tinted taillights.

I also enjoyed the all-wheel drive and the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, which have been fit with gearshift paddles that are much easy to use.

The turbo-diesel engine was responsive even in overtaking situations, thanks to the 3.0-liter V6 direct injection common-rail turbo diesel. Actually, I had forgotten that the 350 CDI was turbo-diesel until I noticed how much gas I had saved (based on the almost still full gas gauge) when I finally made it to Subic.

I stopped for a quick bite at Subic.

Another Look

I liked that this SUV has a car-like body with the style of an SUV. It is a midsize, five-passenger luxury SUV. The front end has a redesigned bumper, headlamps with modified contours and a larger, more dominant radiator. The rear end appears more muscular because of its bumper with a reflector-strip insert and taillights in a smoked-glass look.

In short, it’s an SUV with just the right looks and powerful engine to match.

The best date ever.

Lunch over. It was time to take the drive back to Manila and on to Tagaytay.

The drive through the NLEX went smoothly with not much traffic.

It was when I got to Quezon City that the traffic build-up became a hassle. But, nothing was going to spoil my day as the ML305 CDI kept cool inside and the brakes responded perfectly. In a stop-go situation, the turbo-diesel engine was a gem. Although, I must admit that there was so much more stop than go.

Sitting in traffic, I looked through the brochure that CATS had loaded in the car.

I read that because the SUV has a diesel engine, it provides better fuel mileage (rated at 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway) than a comparably sized gasoline engine.

Perfect for Manila city driving.

The brochure went on to say that the M-class SUV passed crash tests with flying colors and has been awarded the top mark of five stars for its very high level of occupant protection. The latest Euro NCAP test results are confirmation that the safety concept of the M-Class, which is geared to real-life accident scenarios, also performs well in standardized rating crash tests. Equipped as standard with seven airbags, belt tensioners, belt-force limiters and crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints, the SUV ensures its occupants an excellent standard of protection in the event of an accident. The M-Class is the first vehicle in its market segment anywhere in the world to be fitted as standard with the anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE. The system makes use of the valuable seconds, which elapse between a critical situation being identified and a possible impact ensuing, to instigate protective measures. This makes it possible to reduce the forces acting on the vehicle occupants in an impact by up to 40 percent.

Eyes On The Road

Traffic eased up when I reached the SLEX. Since there is lots of work in the SLEX the roads were a little more bumpy — I know that because that is what it is like when I drive my own car.

In the Benz,it was all smooth and go.

I made it to Tagaytay in good time and decided to take a trip to the grocery before eating an early dinner.

I bought a few items and loaded them into the very spacious back compartment, loving how the heavy back door closed slowly and then automatically locked.

Parking was easy, because although the 350 CDI might seem a little big, it really handles like a cool sedan. It is just great that the rear view mirrors adjust automatically when the SUV is backing, making parking easier than easy.

I knew that I had driven what could have been a drive from Manila all the way to Baguio. But, in this SUV, I was still ready for even more driving.

I had a quick dinner at Antonio’s Grill, which to my surprise serves a vegetarian adobo dish.

More happiness.

On the road again, I decided to make one more stop at the Nike store in Sta. Rosa.

On the way home to Pasig, traffic on the SLEX was light. 

In my younger days I would have tried to floor the SUV. But perhaps now that I am a bit older, I preferred to take it easy and did not push the Benz to the max. Instead, I turned on the radio — yes the radio — and listened to one of the jazz stations.

Relaxation at its best. 

I got home, with so much more drive in me.

Thank God for little breaks in life, including test-drives that give you brain space to tune out from the routines of the day and let you have fun.

I love the M-class 350 CDI, which is quite the perfect SUV for me. True indeed, it has once more raised the bar for luxury SUVs.

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For information, call CATS at 723-5808.