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Motor Trend named it their Truck of the Year, as did a panel of journalists at the 1998 North American International Auto Show, to name just two. Ever since it debuted in the blockbuster movie The Lost World. Another reason for this demand is Mercedes can only build 60,000 units per year.
To be fair, the M-Class is very truck-like in some respects: it can tow up to 5,000 lbs., which is more than we can say for most trucks in this class. It's tall, it's long, and there is quite a lot of room for groceries in the back. Other than those blessings, the ML320 is all car.
At first glance, the Mercedes M-Class appears to be about the size of a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. Actually, the ML320 falls between the sizes of the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee (two other vehicles now manufactured by DaimlerChrysler AG). The ML320 measures 180.6 inches long and 69.9 inches tall. For comparison, the Durango is over twelve inches longer and 2.7 inches taller; the Grand Cherokee is three inches shorter in length and five inches lower in height.
Yet the ML320 has the unexpected gift of roominess. The cargo area can be expanded to 85.4 cubic feet, which is more than enough space to store two sleeping bags, a portable grill, a cooler, fishing gear and the rest of your camping equipment. That's also considerably more room than you'll find in a Ford Explorer or Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The second row split bench seat folds down to create a not-quite-level cargo area. This process sounds simple but is, in fact, laborious. First the headrests must be pulled up and out of the seatbacks. Then the seats must be lifted slightly to allow them to be folded down and to the front (that's the step that takes practice). Finally, just store the headrests under the plastic panels behind the seats, and voila: you have an uneven cargo area lined with thin carpet and hard plastic. Oh, and the headrests tend to shift while cornering. While it isn't pretty, it's functional. For those times when extra cargo area is required, it's nice to know that space is available.
This sport-ute is much more comfortable on Park Avenue than in Yellowstone Park. Though not really a concern for most people, it is a concern for anyone who may be lulled into a false sense of security while driving over rough terrain.
On the tarmac is where the M-Class excels, and accelerates. Most passenger cars are not this entertaining to drive, and we'd put the ML320 near the top of our fun-to-drive trucks list. It will take you to 60 mph in less than 10 seconds, and the ride is unimaginably smooth.
Pulling its 4,200 lbs. of curb weight up to speed is Mercedes' new 3.2-liter V6 engine. This engine makes 215 horsepower @ 5500 rpm and 233 foot-pounds of torque @ 3000 rpm. That's not bad, but when compared with the Jeep Grand Cherokee's 5.9-liter V8, it's not good, either. A V8 nestled snugly beneath the hood would perform wonders. Luckily, that's just what's in store next year, when the ML430 is scheduled to debut. The 4.3-liter engine will increase horsepower and torque by approximately 27 percent, an improvement that is sure to please everyone.
The M-Class is a wonderful machine for use on the road. Try getting other sport-utes to pass slow-moving highway traffic from the 50 to 70 mph range, and you won't succeed. And off-road warriors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee or Land Rover Discovery don't even come close to the level of street handling displayed by Mercedes. The M-Class feels like a tall C-Class sedan in those respects.
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Our Address is 6906 Miramar Rd # F San Diego, Ca 92121 4 Door, Automatic Transmission, Alloy Wheels, Sun/Moon Roof, Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Door Locks, Power Mirrors, Power Seats, Power Steering, Power Windows, Tilt Steering, Tinted Windows, Alarm, CD Player, Driver Air Bag, Passenger Air Bag