Base price: ML320, $37,265; ML500, $46,015
Vehicle type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive; 5-door 5-passenger wagon
Interior volume, F/R (cu ft) 54/51
Cargo volume, seats up/maximum (cu ft) 35/81
Wheelbase 111.0 in
Length/width/height 182.6/72.4/71.7 in
Turning circle 37.0 ft
Curb weight 4500–4850 lb
EPA city/highway mpg 14–15/17–19
Fuel-tank capacity/range 22.6 gal/304–425 mi
Passive restraints driver and passenger front and side airbags, rear side airbags
POWERTRAIN
3.2-liter SOHC 18-valve V-6, 215 hp; 5.0-liter SOHC 24-valve V-8, 288 hp; 5-sp auto
SUSPENSION
F ind, unequal-length control arms, torsion bars, anti-roll bar
R ind, unequal-length control arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
F/R vented disc/disc
ABS standard
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MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS
With a raft of new competitors in the market, the M-class was beginning to look downright mediocre. As a stop-gap move until Mercedes can introduce a redesigned M-class, it gave its mainstream ute a mild face lift last year with new headlights and front fascia, along with some new trim. A more compelling change for 2002 was the substitution of a 5.0-liter V-8 for the familiar 4.3-liter V-8. This is what makes the ML430 an ML500. For 2003 only the V-6–powered ML320 and V-8–powered ML500 are offered. The hot-rod ML55 AMG has been discontinued. The only addition for 2003 is an optional DVD-based navigation system. These trucks use a combination of open differentials and brake-based traction control to direct power to the wheels with traction. This works fine off-road, however, the M-class isn’t as adept on-road as some newer competitors.
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