A midsize SUV, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class transports smaller families in style. For 2015, this five-seater is available with a V-6 engine (ML350), a turbo-diesel four-cylinder (ML250 Bluetec) and a twin-turbo V-6 (ML400). For our test, we had the ML400 at our Chicago offices.
How many car seats fit in the second row? Two, but three narrow car seats might work.
What We Like
- The M-Class has two sets of lower Latch anchors in the outboard seats. The anchors are exposed, making them easy to find and use. Three top tether anchors sit near the seatbacks' base.
- The rear-facing convertible fit easily in the backseat. There was no need to move the front passenger seat forward to install it.
- After removing the head restraint, the forward-facing convertible also fit well.
- The booster fit well in the backseat. The buckles are on stable bases, making them easy for kids to use on their own.
What We Don't
- To fit the rear-facing infant seat, we had to move the front passenger seat forward.
Grading Scale
A: Plenty of room for the car seat and the child; doesn't impact driver or front-passenger legroom. Easy to find and connect to Latch and tether anchors. No fit issues involving head restraint or seat contouring. Easy access to the third row.
B: Plenty of room. One fit or connection issue. Some problems accessing third row when available.
C: Marginal room. Two fit or connection issues. Difficult to access third row when available.
D: Insufficient room. Two or more fit or connection issues.
F: Does not fit or is unsafe.
About Cars.com's Car Seat Checks
Editor Jennifer Newman is a certified child safety seat installation technician. Editor Jennifer Geiger is working on renewing her certification.
For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide Classic Connect 30 infant-safety seat, a Britax Marathon convertible seat and Graco TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted for a 6-foot driver and a 5-foot-8 passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver's seat, and the infant and convertible seats are installed behind the front passenger seat.
We also install the forward-facing convertible in the second row's middle seat with the booster and infant seat in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit; a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. If there's a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. To learn more about how we conduct our Car Seat Checks, go here.
Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat, and that Latch anchors have a weight limit of 65 pounds, including the weight of the child and the weight of the seat itself.
Cars.com photos by Evan Sears
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