The market for Sport Utility Vehicles is as hot as a pistol, and most manufacturers want in on the action. The definitions of an SUV are becoming somewhat blurred in the process, as the traditional truck-based models as championed by the Big 3 U.S. manufacturers are facing a stern challenge from the hybrid and car-based models being introduced by the off-shore companies.

The buzz words these days are refinement, comfort, safety, on-road smoothness and off-road capability, to a point. Very few SUV’s get too far off the beaten path, so go- anywhere capabilities are more of an image thing than anything.

A few years ago, it would have been hard to believe that a premium manufacturer like Mercedes-Benz would put the three-pointed star on an SUV, but this fall saw the introduction of the ML320, the M-Class All-Activity Vehicle, built far from the old country, in Alabama, of all places. Mercedes realized that the ML320 would have to live up to the reputation of the marque, which is lofty indeed. There would be no cutting corners in the areas of design, performance, quality, comfort or safety.

The chassis of the M-Class combines the ruggedness of a separate box frame, with the sophistication of four-wheel independent suspension. The latter is a big part of its superb on-road refinement, and bestows upon it a level of handling that leaves most other SUV’s of its size, which is quite large, in the dust. In short, it drives like a sedan. We charged through an on-ramp and accelerated onto a highway, and found ourselves doing 150 kph instead of the 120 we thought we were. And yet, it is more than capable off-road. Unlike the hybrids, the ML320 features a low range transfer case and lots of ground clearance. But it is the full-time all-wheel drive system that is truly unique. Instead of locking its axles to maintain traction, it has traction control that senses wheel slippage and brakes the slipping wheels. It will provide mobility even if three wheels are without traction. And the anti-lock braking is not compromised, either. In an off-road situation, low traction is overcome by adding throttle, not reducing it.

This is the first application for the new 3.2 litre V6, which will replace the straight six in all models. It is smooth and refined, and has some unique design details, as you might expect from M-B. There are three valves per cylinder (two intake/one exhaust) and twin spark plugs per cylinder, and emissions are said to reduced to the point that the ML320 qualifies as a Low Emission Vehicle in the U.S. Furthermore, there is a balance shaft for smoothness, a concern with the unnatural 90-degree design of this six, and throttle control is electronic, or “drive-by-wire.” Horsepower is 215, and torque is a useable 232 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm. Good numbers, but a fully-loaded ML may be a little slow at times. There is a V8 coming....

Inside, there are five equally and extremely comfortable seats, and a level of fit and finish that will leave little doubt that this is a Mercedes. You really feel as if you are sitting in an E-Class sedan, such is the level of equipment and spaciousness. The rear seats fold down in several combinations to ensure a configuration for any eventuality. And there is really quite a lot of room inside. To look at the ML320, your first impression is likely to be that it is towards the compact end of the SUV market. But looks are deceiving, as Mercedes has managed to make a large vehicle look quite a bit smaller. They see the Jeep Grand Cherokee as being its main competition, and the ML has a longer wheelbase and is taller and wider. So much for being mid-size. We’re not sure that all prospective customers will go for the look of the ML, as it looks more like a car than a traditional truck. But with the trend towards car-based and hybrid SUV’s, maybe the combination is a shrewd one. The ML320 is available in two trim levels, Classic and Elegance. The Elegance has heated, electrically adjustable leather seats (versus cloth), sunroof and premium audio. There is no mechanical difference between the two.

As evidence of the M-Class’ acceptance in the market, there is a waiting list of almost two years for it in some parts of the country, a good news-bad news thing for Mercedes and their customers. As evidence of its acceptance by those of us who write about cars, the ML320 has been named by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada as not only the winner of the Sport Utility of the Year for 1998, but the overall Car of the Year, too. High praise indeed.

The new ML320 can be described with a term that no other SUV before it can be - no compromises. It is the state of the art in SUV’s, and elevates the genre into a true all-round vehicle. It is Lexus and Range Rover prestige, at the price of a Ford or Jeep. The Sport Utility bar has been raised, and Mercedes-Benz has taken a giant leap over it.

SPECIFICATIONS