Choosing between petrol SUV and a diesel SUV? Well, here are four issues that you better look into: 1. Performance, 2. Economy, 3. Refinement, and 4. Emissions.

Performance

First, you have to ask: What are you more after, relaxed driving or outright performance? Because as far as game of power output is concerned, diesel SUV no longer loses out to petrol one. But since petrol SUV has the potential to develop a greater power output, of course it’s expected to have really high performance motor. Diesel, on the other hand, produces much greater levels of torque in the rev range, so this makes for a more relaxed driving.

Economy

When it comes to economy, there is no doubt diesel is the better choice. However, you have to take note that the economy advantage will still depend on one’s driving style. So, try driving it gently.

Refinement

If diesel has the economy advantage, petrol, on the other hand, has the refinement advantage. Why? Because petrol SUV is generally quieter than diesel SUV. Try to compare cruising on both types of vehicle and you’ll notice that when you drive the petrol SUV, you won’t hear much engine noise.

Emissions

With respect to exhaust emissions, a lot of people may think that the diesel SUV produce more particulate and gaseous emissions since grey or black smoke is seen emerged from the exhaust pipe. But little do they know that petrol-engined SUV emits more carbon dioxide than diesel. So, if diesel emits higher NOx emissions, that will make no difference to petrol.

After considering all these issues, now you can decide whether to go for petrol or diesel SUV.

Tired of searching for a diesel SUV that is clean, efficient, and quiet? No need to look further because Mercedes-Benz introduces the 2009 ML320 BlueTec. Equipped with a solution that zaps emissions - AdBlue - this five-passenger SUV meets the strict emissions requirements of the 50 states including California and Vermont.

The Mercedes-Benz AdBlue technology is actually a new exhaust treatment  which turns polluting exhaust gases into water and urea. Urea is then converted to ammonia, which breaks down the harmful nitrogen oxide gases into harmless substances. This results to reduced exhaust emissions, which is basically the main reason why Mercedes is able to sell this diesel SUV in 50 states.

But what else makes this Mercedes-Benz model a must-have diesel vehicle? It’s no other than its 210-hp 3-liter V-6 turbo diesel engine, which generates 398 pound-feet of torque at a very low 1600 through 2400 rpm. This vehicle has a trailering rating of 7,200 pounds, making it ideal for towing, may it be a boat, caravan, or any other form of trailer.

As for the the new-for-2009 features, the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec is equipped with a COMAND system, which comes with a 6.5 inch color display screen. This system is very helpful if you want to make quick glances as you look at the navigation map,  read the names of road, get read-out data on MP3, and see what’s behind on the rearview back-up camera. But aside from the COMAND system, there is also the Pre-Safe system, which plays a vital part in anticipating accidents, thus preparing the vehicle and the driver and its passengers for safety.

Now, it’s time to hit the showroom and check out this diesel SUV from Mercedes-Benz.