REPUTATION is reaping rewards for the Mercedes-Benz ML series of luxury 4x4 models.

The big, no-nonsense vehicle has survived in times which have seen lesser rivals struggle.

In fact, the ML presses on with strong demand from those who appreciate its virtues and can stand the running costs.

The range on sale in the UK today comprises eight versions, two petrol and six diesels in three levels of trim and priced from a little over £42,200 to almost £59,000.

I tried the latest 231bhp 3.0 V6 with BlueEfficiency diesel engine and in the high specification Grand Edition trim.

In common with the rest of the range this comes with a seven-speed automatic gearbox with paddle-shift selection available, permanent four-wheel-drive incorporating electronic traction control and hill descent, multi-media infotainment system and this Grand Edition was fitted with optional air suspension at £1,360, memory package for seats and also a surround sound and entertainment system for the rear seats which added a further £3,100 to the price.

It is not cheap with a total price of £57,855 for this model, but it is extremely comfortable, very well built, very capable both on and off road and it scores very highly in occupant safety.

You sit high and commanding in the ML 350 with good sight-lines all round and you have a reversing camera and sensors to help with parking and turning, very big and effective wipers and bright far reaching headlights.

Performance is respectable and it feels responsive and eager from rest and overtaking. It also steers with confidence and slows very quickly and with utter control and no drama.

With the air suspension it automatically adjusts to load and driving characteristics and it takes road shocks in its stride although you can hear the wheels riding up or down without upsetting the occupants.

I averaged almost 30mpg, a little way below the official combined consumption, but that is remarkable for a vehicle weighing almost 2.2 tonnes, and shows how effective the latest diesel is when it comes to stretching the gallon.

The multitude of secondary controls is scattered about the steering wheel and over the fascia or console and really need familiarisation but there is a logic to their grouping once you become use to their layout. The iInstruments are surprisingly basic but also large and very clear in any light conditions.

The heating and ventilation is also very sophisticated and effective.

Oddments room is particularly generous, the boot expands from 500 to over 2,000 litres and its very easy to load with the powered fifth door opening to a loadbed usefully positioned at waist-height.

Side doors have a wide opening action and while it needs some dexterity to climb up into the cabin the room inside is very generous and the multi-adjustable leather trimmed seats are extremely comfortable and particularly safe thanks to some clever anti-whiplash technology built into them. The seats quickly fold to dramatically quadruple the nominal carrying volume.

With all the entertainment and information systems available in this Grand Edition, it is almost a cinema or night-club on wheels and the quietness of the mechanical features combined with the lack of wind ruffling and you have a particularly insulating experience as you cover the miles.

Some may find it feels a handful when slowly manoeuvring but with experience you can be very precise in placing the ML in a tight spot or negotiating a narrow gap and the automatic box and power steering make light work of any rudimentary task.

I think the Mercedes ML 350 is a car you would buy and want to keep for a while, it takes all you can throw at it and its off-road ability is as impressive as it's on-road, and there are very few cars which impart such feeling of well-being and safety.