09/10/2008 15:24. We hope you're not in a hurry.

During our track testing, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec diesel reached 60 mph from a dead stop in 8.5 seconds. If you're planning to rob a bank, the new ML320 can hold a lot of loot, but it won't help you make a quick getaway.

If it's long-distance cruising range you're after, however, Mercedes says its diesel-powered 2009 ML320 can run for 600 miles on a single tank of fuel. The coppers will get way tired before you have to fill up again.

Of course, you'd probably rather make a great escape with the kinfolk. So for the statistical American family of mom, dad and two-and-a-half kids, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec represents a five-passenger family SUV that's a miracle of thriftiness at the fuel pump and won't leave a tell-tale trail... // Edmunds.com/Inside Line