THE last model in the big Mercedes-Benz M-Class series offered good performance on the road and could also take to the rough without any problems.

The best models also brought good economy for the class and decent standard equipment made them pretty good value.

However, it was not available with a seven seat option when many of its contemporaries were, and none could be had with a manual gearbox.

The last model was built between 2012 and 2015 with the entry engine the company's long standing 2.1-litre diesel turbo producing 201bhp in the ML 250 BlueTEC. It's capable of 44mpg and emits only 165g/km of CO2.

The only other engine choice is the ML 350, which packs a 3.0-litre V6 diesel and 254bhp, but is still capable of 39mpg and emissions of 189g/km.

The 2.1-litre cruises happily and comfortably on dual carriageways and with a 0 to 60mph time of 8.7 seconds, there's also enough urge for easy overtaking.

The V6 is even more sprightly as you would expect, covering the sprint in 7.2 seconds and delivering plenty of torque for brilliant mid-range acceleration.

This model had much improved handling over its predecessors and is good fun to hustle through a series of bends on the road. Off-road it still stays as comfortable as the best of the rest. All the engines use the Mercedes 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox, with permanent drive to all four wheels.

The automatic is smooth and quick - although not always so to kickdown - and there are steering-wheel mounted paddles to ring the changes manually.

The on-road handling is excellent for such a large vehicle, with great agility and very little body roll. The suspension is not overly stiff so the ride remains supple and smoothes out the roughest of surfaces.

For those looking to make the most of the handling there are plenty out there with optional air suspension, that has self-levelling and adaptive damping.

The dash is familiar to anyone who has driven a Mercedes and it all works brilliantly once you get used to it. But it's a little like the cockpit of a jet with so many buttons and controls.

Equipment in the one above entry SE Executive is very good, with audio remote controls, cruise, electric front seat adjustment and lumbar support, sat nav, hill descent control, parking sensors, traction control and loads of airbags.

Pay around £16,200 for a '12 12-reg 250 SE, or £22,600 for a '15 15-reg 350 AMG Sport.