2000 Mercedes-Benz ML55 Mercedes-Benz ML55 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML55 Sport Utility Wagon AWD Tuscaloosa, AL Mercedes goes overboard on power and performance with the new ML55. Correct us if we're wrong, but weren't SUVs originally designed for rugged off-road travel? Lots of cargo room, lots of passenger space, lots of performance -- for an SUV. Top-heaviness, poor build-quality history, steep price premium. OK, our national SUV infatuation has officially reached the point of worldwide ridicule with the new Mercedes-Benz ML55. Do we really need a 342-horsepower sport utility that rides on 50-series 18-inch tires, goes from zero to 60 in 6.4 seconds and reaches a top speed estimated around 145 mph? Furthermore, should we pay 65 large for the privilege of driving a box on wheels that performs little better than a used Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.9 at a third of the price? Evidently, the bean counters in Stuttgart told M-Class engineers and super-tuner AMG to go for it, and the result of their collaboration is what appears to be a lowered minivan on steroids with a chrome three-pointed star sitting front and center. Most SUV buyers at least try to convince themselves they'll be going off-road sooner or later and will need the utility such a vehicle provides. Not ML55 buyers. Wanna bump along two-track trails in luxury? Get a Lexus LX 470. This puppy's made for twisting roads and moving five people in comfort and luxury. Still, it has four-wheel drive and 8.4 inches of ground clearance, so if necessary, it could perform the same tasks as a standard M-Class. But enough of our griping about the disparity between intent of design and reality of use. What's this AMG-tuned, Alabama-built super ute made of? The ML55 is infused with all the power and technologies that Mercedes-Benz could ladle on and still keep the price feasible. Unique styling cues like a power-domed hood, red brake calipers, chrome-accented grille and muscular five-spoke wheels communicate the proper "don't mess with me" attitude to onlookers. Traction control, stability control and ABS with Brake Assist keep the top-heavy SUV under your command rather than fate's. Sport seats, burled walnut wood trim and supple charcoal leather beckon from the interior. A standard Cockpit Management and Data (COMAND) center does not. COMAND controls the navigation, audio, integrated telephone and trip-computer systems, and there's a steep learning curve. Even if you do master the functions, commanding them while driving is not recommended. Chrome rings around white-faced gauges and AMG embroidered floor mats are an exclusive touch, but ML55 shares other accoutrements with the lower-line ML320 and 430 models. Side airbags are standard in front and rear doors, and a BabySmart child seat-recognition system detects the presence of a dealer-supplied safety seat in the right front passenger position and deactivates the airbag. But you don't need to place the kids up front in the ML55, because the back seat is quite commodious. Missing from the standard equipment list is TeleAid, a trick emergency cellular service that most other Benz models have for 2000. Mercedes will likely find more buyers than they need for the limited-production run of ML55s. Good for them. Let the fleecing of wealthy Americans begin! And while you're at the dealership, tell them to start thinking about an E55 Wagon for the rest of us. BMW X5 Land Rover Range Rover Lexus LX 470 Lincoln Navigator 450,000 450,000 UnlimitedUnlimited 450,000 6.7 sec. 129 ft. 0.78 8 5.5 liters V8 342 hp @ 5500 rpm 376 ft-lbs. @ 3000 rpm 85 cu.ft. 1684 lbs. 5000 lbs. 180.6 in. 72.2 in. 69.9 in. 4552 lbs. 111 in. 37.1 ft. 8.4 in. 39.8 in. 39.7 in. 58.3 in. 57.9 in. 55 in. 54.7 in. 44.3 in. 38 in. 5 Standard Unknown Not Available Standard Not Available Standard Standard Rating = Not Tested Rating = Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Good Not Tested 19 gal. 14 mpg / 17 mpg 266 mi. / 323 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. $60,357 $64,900 7.35% $645 N/A 3% of the Total MSRP ML55 (5A): 5.5L V8 SOHC SMPI 24-valve engine (requires premium unleaded fuel); 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; engine oil cooler; full-time 4-wheel drive, traction control, 3.46 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust with chrome tip; auto ride control, electronic stability control, front independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front torsion springs, front torsion bar, rear independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 19 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; liftback rear cargo door; front power sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; roof rack; front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside molding, rocker panel extensions; monotone paint; aero-composite high intensity headlamps with delay-off feature; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remotebody-colored heated electric folding outside mirrors; 18" x 8.5" silver alloy wheels; P285/50WR18 M&S BSW tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning, air filter, rear heat ducts; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, CD changer pre-wiring, in-dash CD pre-wiring, 4 premium speakers, amplifier, theft deterrent, and window grid diversity antenna; cruise control; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, power remote hatch/trunk release, power remote fuel door release; cell phone pre-wiring, 3 power accessory outlets, driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, garage door opener; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, exterior temp, systems monitor, trip computer, trip odometer, navigation system; warning indicators include water temp, battery, low oil level, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, bulb failure, service interval,brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's door mounted side airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; deep tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's and passenger's 1-touch down function, fixed 1/4 vent windows; variable intermittent front windshield wipers, fixed interval rear wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, heated-cushion front bucket seats with adjustable tilt headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's and passenger's seats include 6-way power adjustment; folding rear split-bench seat with tilt headrests; front and rear height adjustable seatbelts with front and rear pretensioners; leather seats, leather door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, genuine wood trim on instrument panel and doors, leather/wood gearshift knob; memory on driver's seat with 3 memory setting(s); interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rearreading lights, illuminated entry; leather/wood steering wheel with tilt adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, glove box, front and rear cupholders, instrument panel bin, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins, front underseat tray; carpeted cargo floor, cargo cover, cargo tie downs, cargo light; black grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles.