2015 Mercedes-Benz M-Class: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz M-Class gets a major powertrain reshuffle rather than a redesign. The new ML 250 BlueTEC diesel and ML 400 twin-turbo V6 replace the ML 350 BlueTEC and V8-powered ML 550.
About the 2015 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
3rd generation (W166), fourth and final M-Class model year before the 2016 rename and refresh to GLE.
Mercedes positioned the 2015 M-Class as a two-row luxury SUV that mixes comfort, safety, and everyday usefulness with a wide spread of power choices. The brochure leans on athletic performance, acclaimed safety, and attentive luxury rather than flashy styling. For most shoppers, the M-Class is a solid, quiet, premium midsize SUV with generous cargo room, real towing ability, and enough trim variety to range from long-distance diesel cruiser to high-performance AMG model.
The lineup ranges from the efficiency-focused, all-wheel-drive ML 250 diesel to the 518-hp ML 63 AMG performance model. The ML 350 remains the straightforward V6 choice, while the quicker ML 400 adds leather, premium audio, hands-free entry, and sport-styled bodywork as standard equipment.
What changed, by category
2015 Mercedes-Benz M-Class specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V8, Twin Turbo, 5.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo Dsl, 2.1L |
| Transmission | Auto, 7-Spd 7G-Tronic+ | Auto, 7-Spd 7G-Tronic+ | Auto, 7-Spd 7G-Tronic+ | Auto 7-Spd AMG SPEEDSHIFT | Auto, 7-Spd 7G-Tronic+ |
| Drivetrain | 2WD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Diesel |
| MPG City | 18 mpg | 17 mpg | 18 mpg | 13 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 24 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 17 mpg | 29 mpg |
| Horsepower | 302 hp | 302 hp | 329 hp | 518 hp | 200 hp |
| Torque | 273 lb-ft | 273 lb-ft | 354 lb-ft | 516 lb-ft | 369 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 6600 lb | 7200 lb | 7200 lb | 7200 lb | 6600 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 80.3 cu-ft | 80.3 cu-ft | 80.3 cu-ft | 80.3 cu-ft | 80.3 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 38.4 in | 38.4 in | 38.4 in | 38.4 in | 38.4 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Adaptive Headlights | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Active Lane Keep Assistance | |||||
| Park Assist | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| 360 Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| HID Headlights | |||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| Built-In Hard Drive | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||||
| Aluminum Interior Trim | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Memory Front Seats | |||||
| Memory Steering Wheel | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz M-Class a redesign?
No. The 2015 M-Class keeps the same W166 body, cabin layout, and basic structure; its main updates are the ML 250 and ML 400 powertrains, plus a few trim-level equipment changes.
What replaced the ML 350 BlueTEC for 2015?
The ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC replaces it. The new version uses a 2.1-liter twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder and retains standard all-wheel drive.
What replaced the ML 550 for 2015?
The ML 400 4MATIC replaces it. Instead of the ML 550’s V8, the ML 400 uses a 329-hp, 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and adds standard sport-styled bodywork and several premium cabin features.
Did the 2015 ML 350 change?
Only slightly. Its 302-hp, 3.5-liter V6 carries over, while the Smartphone Interface becomes standard on both the rear-wheel-drive ML 350 and all-wheel-drive ML 350 4MATIC.
Is 2015 the final year of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class name?
Yes. The 2015 model is the fourth and final M-Class year of the W166 generation before Mercedes renamed and refreshed it as the GLE for 2016.