2001Mercedes-BenzML55 AMGMercedes-Benz ML55 AMG2001 Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMGSport UtilityWagonAWDTuscaloosa, ALThe TeleAid emergency calling system is now standard, and smart, dual-stage front airbags know when to deploy with partial or full force. The ML55 also gets expanded off-road capabilities with new downhill traction control and a new crawling mode for very slow and steep off-roading.Advanced safety features, comfortable seats, can beat up on performance cars…if no curves are involved.Backward center stack ergonomics, harsh ride, mediocre handling, costs too much.Do we really need a 342-horsepower sport utility that rides on 50-series 18-inch tires, goes from zero to 60 in 6.7 seconds and reaches a top speed estimated around 145 mph? 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 stoplight shenanigans and moving five people in comfort. 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. A new downhill traction control system (no doubt inspired by Hill Descent Control, already available on certain other premium SUVs), which maintains a low vehicle speed when descending steep grades with loose footing, is accompanied by a new "two-foot" crawling mode that has the same effect as applying the brake while climbing a steep hill. This mode can be engaged when the M-Class is in low range and is traveling under 3 mph to maximize traction. Contributing to these new off-road maneuverability improvements, an active brake booster builds pressure assistance faster, allowing spinning wheels to be slowed with quicker response. 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 due to their disastrous design. 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 dual-stage, "smart" front airbags debut this year, as does Mercedes' TeleAid emergency communication system. So go ahead and try to climb that mountain - help is just a push-button away. Just don't expect the ML55 to handle like any other AMG product - it's still an SUV. BMW X5GMC Yukon DenaliLand Rover Range RoverLexus LX 470Lincoln Navigator450,000450,000Unlimited450,000NANANA85.5 litersV8342 hp @ 5500 rpm376 ft-lbs. @ 2800 rpm71 cu.ft.1684 lbs.5000 lbs.182.5 in.74.6 in.69.3 in.4861 lbs.111 in.37 ft.NA39.8 in.39.7 in.NANANANA40.3 in.38 in.5StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableStandardStandardRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested25 gal.14 mpg / 17 mpg350 mi. / 425 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.$61,287$65,9007.35%$645N/A3% of the Total MSRPML55 (5A): 5.5L V8 SOHC SMPI 24-valve engine, (requires premium unleaded fuel); 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 600 amp battery; engine oil cooler; auto-manual transmission; full-time 4 wheel drive, traction control, 3.46 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; electronic stability control, front independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front torsion springs, front torsion bar, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 25 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; liftback rear cargo door; express open sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; roof rack; front and rear body-colored bumpers with front tow hooks; body-colored bodyside molding body-colored fender flares; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite high intensity headlamps withwasher, delay-off feature; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated power folding outside mirrors, driver's auto-dimming outside mirror; 18" x 9" silver alloy wheels; P285/50WR18 BSW performance tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning, air filter, rear heat ducts, residual heat recirculation; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, single-disc CD player, 7 premium speakers, premium amplifier, theft deterrent, window grid diversity antenna; cruise control; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, power remote fuel door release; cell phone pre-wiring, 3 power accessory outlets, front lighter element(s), driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, garage door opener, smokers' package, emergency S.O.S.; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, compass, exterior temp, trip computer,trip odometer, navigation system; warning indicators include water temp, battery, low oil level, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, service interval; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's door mounted side airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, tracker system, 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; fixed interval front windshield wipers, rain detecting wipers, sun visor strip, fixed interval rear wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front sports seats, heated-cushion driver's and passenger's seats with adjustable tilt headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 8-way power adjustment, passenger's seat includes 8-way power adjustment; 60/40 folding rear split-bench seat with tilt headrests, center armrest; 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 dashboard insert, leather/wood gearshift knob, genuine wood door panel insert, genuine wood console insert, chrome interior accents; memory on driver's seat with 3 memory setting(s); interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, 4 door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather/genuine wood steering wheel with tilt adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, mini overhead console glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins, front underseat tray; carpeted cargo floor, cargo cover, cargo tie downs, cargo light, concealed cargo storage; black grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding and black door handles.