The first Mercedes-Benz M-Class, introduced in 1998, helped popularize the notion of a "luxury SUV." Introduced at a time when every sport utility vehicle was expected to display some level of off-road prowess, the M-Class was constructed with a traditional body-on-frame truck design that demanded compromises in on-the-street comfort and performance. The following year Lexus introduced what would become the category benchmark. With car-based unibody construction, the Lexus RX300 delivered more car-like ride and handling. Now, after adopting the unibody formula, a more comfortable, better-handling M-Class has arrived.