Carpedia · November 1, 2019

Mercedes-Benz M-Class

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class is a front-engine, rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, mid-size luxury crossover SUV, produced in the Alabama factory since 1997. It is supposed to bridge the gap between GLC-Class and GLS-Class and has been rebranded as GLE-Class in 2015 to fit the new naming scheme. Mercedes-Benz manufactured it in Austria for the European market from 1999 to 2002, with assembly also taking place in India and Indonesia from 2012.

A dispute with BMW was sparked over the M-Class using the letter 'M' followed by three-digit engine levels (for example M320), which was known for the BMW performance series. Mercedes ended up adding 'L' to the name but not changing the name to ML-Class, which caused confusion. Today, many people refer to it as ML-Class, including even Mercedes-Benz.

The First Generation (1997-2005)

Codenamed W163, M-Class was supposed to be a collaboration between Mitsubishi Motors and Mercedes-Benz to create an SUV based on the Montero/Pajero platform, badged both as Mitsubishi and Mercedes-Benz. The goal for Mercedes was to replace the G-Class, but the plans eventually fell through. Instead, work began on creating a factory in Alabama as well as the design of the M-Class. It launched in February of 1997 as a mid-sized body-on-frame SUV with seating for five or seven with optional third-row seats.

The basic trim level includes ABS, alloy wheels, cruise control, driver/passenger/side airbags, electric mirrors, folding rear seats, heated mirrors, PAS, roof rails, service indicator, steering wheel rake adjustment, and traction control.

Standard equipment includes front fog lights, with optional extras listed under the more luxurious packages.
Inspiration trim level comes with 3x3 point rear seatbelts, alarm, body-coloured bumpers, CD, climate control, electric driver's seat, electric passenger's seat, heated seats, height-adjustable driver's seat, leather seat trim, metallic paint, rear electric windows, remote locking, space saver spare wheel, sports seats. Optionally, more features are available, that come as standard with AMG package.
AMG trim level comes with 3x3 point rear seatbelts, air conditioning, alarm, body-coloured bumpers, CD multi-changer, climate control, electric driver's seat, electric passenger's seat, electric sunroof, front fog lights, headlight washers, heated seats, height-adjustable drivers seat, Isofix child seat anchor points, leather seat trim, metallic paint, rear electric windows, remote locking, and space-saver spare wheel.

In 2001, Mercedes-Benz received a facelift for the year 2002 with external changes to the head and taillights, front and rear bumpers, new alloy wheels, relocation of side turn signals to the mirrors, as well as interior modifications. The facelift added new engine models as well.

Euro NCAP crash test rated the M-Class's adult occupant protection with a 4-star rating and 30 points, while the pedestrian safety was rated 1 star (out of 4) and 4 points. The M-Class received these mixed ratings because Mercedes-Benz aimed it at the USA market, where it was legal to drive without a seatbelt. For this reason, there were compromises allowing both types of driver protection and the absence of driver knee airbags.

The 'Popemobile’ vehicle was based on the W163 ML430 and has been in service since 2002. Volkswagen offered to make a replacement based on their Touareg SUV, but Pope Benedict XVI decided to continue using the Mercedes.

Engine options range from 2.3L inline-four up to 5.5L V8 engine, with power output between 110kW and 255kW. Diesel engines are limited to 2.7L inline-five with 120kW of power and 4.0L V8 with 184kW of power paired with either a 5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic, or 5G-Tronic transmission.

Powertrain options available in Australia:

ML320 3.2L V6 petrol engine producing 160kW (215hp) and 310Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 9.5s and a top speed of 180km/h, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission
ML350 3.2L V6 petrol engine producing 160kW (215hp) and 310Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 9.0s and a top speed of 195km/h, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission
ML350 3.7L V6 petrol engine producing 173kW (232hp) and 346Nm of torque, does a 0-100km/h in 8.7s and has a top speed of 205km/h, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission
ML270 CDI 2.6L I5 turbocharged diesel engine producing 120kW (161hp) and 370NM of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 11.7 seconds and a top speed of 185km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
ML55 AMG 5.4L V8 producing 255kW (342hp) and 510Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.9 seconds (6.7s facelift) and a top speed of 232km/h (235km/h facelift), paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission

The Second Generation (2005-2011)

Codenamed W164, second-generation M-Class was in development for six years and presented to the public at the North American International Show in 2005. With the overall changes to appearance, Mercedes managed to reduce the drag coefficient down to 0.34, while making it 71mm wider, 150mm longer and 5mm shorter than its predecessor. The M-Class changed its platform from body-on-frame to unibody, sharing it with the GL-Class SUV.

Improvements of its predecessor include optional active curve-illuminating bi-Xenon headlights, which follow the direction of the steering, and adjustable-height air suspension.

An expanded basic-level equipment now includes 3x3 point rear seatbelts, ABS, alarm, alloy wheels, audio remote, body-coloured bumpers, CD, climate control, cruise control, driver's airbag, electric driver's seat, electric mirrors, electric passenger's seat, folding rear seats, front electric windows, front fog lights, heated mirrors, Isofix child seat anchor points, PAS, passenger's airbag, remote locking, roof rails, service indicator, side airbags, space-saver spare wheel, steering wheel rake adjustment, steering wheel reach adjustment, and traction control.

Standard and Edition S trim levels add partial leather seat trim.
Edition 10 trim level adds headlight washers, height-adjustable driver's seat, leather seat trim, and metallic paint.
SE trim level adds height-adjustable driver's seat and metallic paint.
Grand Edition trim level adds CD multi-changer, DVD, headlight washers, heated seats, height-adjustable driver's seat, leather seat trim, lumbar support, metallic paint, parking sensors, Sat Nav, and sports seats.
Sport trim level adds height-adjustable driver's seat, metallic paint, partial leather seat trim, and sports seats.

A facelift version debuted at the 2008 New York International Auto Show with changes to front headlights, redesigned front end bumpers and mirrors, new alloy wheel options, and a restyled interior. BlueTec technology was added to the diesel engines, including the new ML420 CDI. A hybrid version was also shown, with claims of consuming 50% less fuel than the ML550 but producing 90% of the power generated. Global Hybrid Cooperation developed this model, which was available exclusively in the United States.

7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic transmission replaced the automatic 5G-Tronic. Petrol variants range from 3.5L V6 up to 6.2L V8, while diesel engines are limited to 3.0L V6 and 4.0L V8.

Powertrain options available in Australia:

ML350 3.5L V6 petrol engine producing 200kW (268hp) at 6000rpm, and 350Nm of torque at 2400-5000rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 225km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
ML500 4.7L V8 petrol engine producing 225kW (302hp) at 5600rpm and 460Nm of torque at 2700-4750rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 240km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
ML320 CDI 3.0L V6 diesel engine producing 165kW (221hp) at 3800rpm and 510Nm of torque at 1600-2800rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 215km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
ML63 AMG 6.2L V8 petrol engine producing 375kW (503hp) at 6800rpm and 630Nm of torque at 5200rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.0 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission

The Third Generation (2012-2019)

Codenamed W166, new M-Class takes inspiration from the E-Class and shows Mercedes’s desire to streamline its SUV range to better fit with their categories. It was one of the final joint ventures between Chrysler and Daimler, with the same platform used for the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. Due to the separation of these companies before completing the design, the interior, body design, and engines are vastly different between the makers, although they share many powertrain components, including some transmissions.

The basic equipment includes 3x3 point rear seatbelts, ABS, alarm, alloy wheels, audio remote, body-coloured bumpers, CD, climate control, cruise control, driver's airbag, electric driver's seat, electric mirrors, electric passenger's seat, folding rear seats, front electric windows, front fog lights, heated mirrors, Isofix child seat anchor points, PAS, passenger's airbag, remote locking, roof rails, service indicator, side airbags, space-saver spare wheel, steering wheel rake adjustment, steering wheel reach adjustment, and traction control.

SE trim level includes a space-saver spare wheel, sports seats, steering and wheel rake/reach adjustment.
SE Executive trim level includes DVD, headlight washers, heated seats, and parking sensors.
Special Edition trim level includes a space-saver spare wheel, sports seats, and steering wheel rake/reach adjustment
Sport trim level includes front fog lights, parking sensors, partial leather seat trim, space-saving spare wheel, sports seats, steering wheel rake/reach adjustment.
AMG Line trim level comes with DVD, headlight washers, heated seats, parking sensors, partial leather seat trim, and sports seats.
AMG Sport trim level includes parking sensors, partial leather seat trim, space-saver spare wheel, sports seats, and steering wheel rake/reach adjustment.

Euro NCAP gave it a 5-star rating, with the adult occupant safety rating of 96%, the pedestrian safety rating of 60%, the child occupant safety rating of 75%, and Safety assist rating of 86%.

Powertrain options feature the petrol engine range from 3.5L V6 up to 5.5L V8, while diesel options are a 2.1L I4 or 3.0L V6, all paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Powertrain options available in Australia:

ML350 BlueEfficiency 3.5L V6 petrol engine producing 225kW (302hp) at 6500rpm and 370Nm of torque at 3500-5250rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 235km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
ML500 BlueEfficiency 4.7L V8 petrol engine producing 300kW (402hp) at 5000-5750rpm and 600Nm of torque at 1600-4750rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
ML63 AMG 5.5L V8 petrol engine producing 386kW (518hp) at 5250-5750rpm and 700Nm of torque at 1750-5000rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
ML250 CDI BlueTec 2.1L I4 turbocharged diesel engine producing 150kW (201hp) at 4200rpm and 500Nm of torque at 1600-1800rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 210km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
ML350 CDI BlueTec 3.0L V6 turbocharged diesel engine producing 190kW (254hp) at 3600rpm and 620Nm of torque at 1600-2400rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 224km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission

2015 facelift version changes the name of the model to GLE-Class to better fit with Mercedes' new naming scheme. A separate article for the GLE-Class covers this facelift and the fourth generation.

Author: Luka Kusic

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