Muscle for mommy?

BY STEVE SILER,
September 2007



Since it appeared in 1997 as America’s first import-branded luxury SUV, the Mercedes-Benz M-class has suffered from a reputation as the mom-mobile of lux-u-vees. This is in part because the ML was launched at a time when SUVs in general were seen as soccer-mom chariots, with game-changing performance utes and crossovers still years away. The minivan-like styling of the original - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER didn’t help, either. Try as they did to butch the thing up over time, adding body kits, getting AMG into the picture in 2000 with the ML55 AMG, and introducing the powerful V-8-powered - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER in 2002, the reputation has stuck like macaroni super-glued to a paper plate.

Too bad, because the ML has actually grown into a rather nice, somewhat sporting luxo-ute, especially in new-for-2008 ML550 array. Powered by the same 5.5-liter V-8 found under the hoods of every other Benz with a “550” suffix, the ML550 is the quickest non-AMG ML-class ever. Moreover, it represents a reasonably decent value, with not only more performance, but more standard features than the 268-hp V-6 - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER and the ML500 it replaces. Indeed, at $53,175, it is the least expensive way into a Benz with said 5.5-liter motor, costing a whopping $24,600 less than the larger, admittedly better equipped - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER mongo-ute. Sure you need those extra two seats? Our ML550, loaded with optional goodness, rang in at $66,615, though.

AMG: Putting the ML in Manly?

In spite of its reputation, Mercedes claims that every model in the ML-class lineup skews male in terms of its buyers. That said, at 70/30 male-to-female, the V-8-powered ML skews far higher than the ML350, which is more evenly split at 53/47. Thus, to drive home the fact that this is supposedly a proven boy-car, Mercedes has given its new ML550 the AMG styling treatment, with chrome grille bars, chunky front and rear clips, grommeted running boards, rectangular exhaust tips, and huge 19-inch five-spoke AMG wheels. The formerly optional sunroof has been thrown in for free. Inside, not much has changed, save the inclusion of standard burl walnut trim and heated front seats.



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VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon

PRICE AS TESTED: $66,615 (base price: $53,175)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 333 cu in, 5461cc
Power (SAE net): 382 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 391 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic with manumatic shifting

DIMENSIONS:

Wheelbase: 114.7 in Length: 189.8 in Width: 75.2 in Height: 70.1 in
Curb weight: 5012 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.4 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 14.0 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 27.3 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 5.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.0 sec @ 100 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 132 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 178 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.76 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 13/18 mpg
C/D-observed: 17 mpg
*Stability-control-inhibited.

Uh, did Car and Driver forget about Land Rover?

The correct "first" for the M-Class is the first import luxury suv from a mainstream luxury brand or the first luxury brand suv that tried to be something other than a lumbering truck type suv, but it clearly wasn't first. There were Range Rovers back in the 80's.

Anyway, nice review. I really want to see the M-Class interior upgraded though come facelift time. They're going to have to do something other than the usual German facelift on the ML because the GLK is coming.

M