more about this model
Now in its fifth year, Mercedes' M-Class SUV faces significantly more competition than it did when it debuted. Back in 1998, all the ML320 had to worry about in the midsize luxury SUV category were the Infiniti QX4 and the Land Rover Discovery. But now, there are also the Lexus RX 300, Acura MDX and BMW X5 battling for country club supremacy.
Although the first M-Class effort was generally well-received, it did have some problems. Specifically, reliability was not up to Mercedes standards and some of the switchgear, such as the turn signal and wiper control stalks, felt as if they were sourced from a Cracker Jack box. But since then, Mercedes has improved the truck and introduced V8 versions, as well, in an effort to stay in the thick of the luxury-ute hunt.
Mercedes-Benz recently invited the automotive press to preview its 2002 lineup. The event took place in picturesque Durham, N.C., and one of the vehicles we spent some time with was the ML500.
The first V8 M-Class was the ML430, which debuted in 1999 packing a 4.3-liter three-valve-per-cylinder V8 that sent 268 horsepower and 288 pound-feet of torque to the wheels. The muscle-bound 342-horsepower ML55, massaged by in-house tuner AMG, was introduced a year later.
For 2002, the ML430 becomes the ML500 due to an increase in engine size from 4.3 liters to 5.0 liters (hence the 500 name). As expected, there is more power with the larger engine, 288 horses and 325 pound-feet. This considerable thrust, touted as the most in its class by Mercedes-Benz, is handled by a five-speed automatic gearbox with driver-adaptive technology and Touch Shift automanual control. The driver-adaptive feature adjusts the transmission's shifting to the driver's style, meaning an aggressive pilot will get higher rpm upshifts while a more laid-back driver will get earlier, more fuel-efficient upshifts. The Touch Shift feature allows manual-style shifting by bumping the lever to the left of the "D" position for downshifts and to the right of it for upshifts.
In addition to the upsized V8, the ML500 has subtle, but worthwhile changes in and out. Borrowing the chrome-highlighted grille from the ML55, the ML500 also sports revised front and rear bumpers and light clusters. It takes a sharp eye to spot the changes other than those grille bars, but look closely and you'll see that there are now clear-lens headlights, turn signals integrated in the side-view mirrors, and resculpted bumpers with fog lamps mounted up front. The ML320 incorporates the same updates less the chromed grille accents.
If that ain't stylin' enough for you, a Sport package adds a bit more pizzazz with fender flares, different bumpers with honeycomb inserts, a chrome exhaust tip and six-spoke 17-inch alloys that fill out the wheelwells with the help of 275/55R17 rubber.
Inside the cabin, a number of functional and aesthetic changes were made to bring this rig further upscale. New climate controls feature an automatic function (single zone) and vents for rear seat passengers. Also, the power windows were relocated next to the gear-shift quadrant.
In tribute to Americans who can't live without their Starbucks, the front cupholders were improved. When the Mercedes representative boasted that the cupholders could now handle a 7-Eleven Big Gulp, I would have been embarrassed for him and Mercedes, were it not for the fact that I could appreciate that huge engineering advance.
Once we were familiarized with the ML500, we hit the road. For a vehicle that tips the scales at nearly 5,000 pounds (4,874 to be exact), the ML500 felt lighter due to its strong performance. Boot the throttle, and the ML scurries forward, the blurring landscape accompanied by the V8's rising but still subdued growl. Mercedes claims that the ML500 will sprint to 60 mph in just 7.7 seconds, and the seat of my pants had no reason to dispute that. Speeding up to merge onto the freeway or to pass dawdling motorists is no sweat, as the ML possesses a healthy midrange punch, as well. Working in concert with the V8, the seamless automatic gearbox did such a good job tailoring its shift points to my (read: performance-oriented) driving style that the only time I touched the Touch Shift was when curiosity struck.
Taking the power to the street (or — horrors! — trail) is the ML500's all-wheel-drive system, which has the ability to automatically send the power to the wheels (or even a single wheel) with the best grip. Additionally, there is a low range and the electronic traction control has a feature that automatically (in low range) keeps the speed down on steep and/or slippery descents. We were unable to test the enhanced AWD system off-road, so four-wheeling impressions will have to wait until we do a full test on the ML500. Considering that most M-Classes will never set a tire off the blacktop, this was not a big concern.
On road, be it curvy two-lane or high-speed freeway, the ML500 acquits itself handsomely. As we maneuvered along some twisty blacktop, the Benz felt reassuringly composed and devoid of any tippy feeling that one would expect from a vehicle that looks like it would have a phone booth's center of gravity. Credit must go to the ML's four-wheel independent double wishbone suspension (with stabilizer bars fore and aft) that did a fine job keeping body roll in check. Feel from the wheel was mixed; it had decent weighting but could use some more feedback. A firm but comfortable ride should please the target market for the ML500 — folks who will primarily be using the vehicle for commuting, shopping and road trips.
Freeway performance is impressive. Running down the Interstate, the ML500's powerful V8 sent it effortlessly down the road at 75 mph or so, with plenty in reserve. Wind and road noise, two typical bugaboos of an SUV, were well muted in the Benz, as befitting a vehicle that is expected to function as a luxury car as well as an SUV. And when it came time to haul it down, the substantial brakes (with rotors measuring around 13.5 inches front and rear) were strong in action and easily controlled through a pedal with a firm but progressive feel.
With excellent on-road dynamics, plenty of safety equipment (including side curtain airbags and stability control), an inviting cabin and several key improvements for 2002, we'd say that Mercedes-Benz has done an admirable job at keeping the ML500 competitive in this insanely popular market segment.
Is the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class a good car?
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2001 M-Class featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
All of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
How do people like the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2001 M-Class 3.7 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2001 M-Class.
Review
Great car until it hit 107,000. New power steering pump $1000. Next month emmission air pump $1400. Drove it 4 miles check engine light came on again. Must clean engine vents. Maybe cleaned externaly for $650. If that does not work - $2000+. m selling the car. Lots of little stuff goes wrong.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
How can Edmunds help?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
What options are available on the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class?
Available Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2001 Submodel Types: SUV, Diesel, ML63 AMG
Available Trims: ML350 4MATIC, ML350, ML 350 4MATIC, ML320, ML350 BlueTEC, ML500, ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC, ML 400 4MATIC, ML350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, ML320 BlueTEC, ML550 4MATIC, ML430, ML63 AMG, ML320 CDI, ML 350, ML550
Exterior Colors: Black, Iridium Silver Metallic, Polar White, Arctic White, Steel Grey Metallic, Palladium Silver Metallic, Lunar Blue Metallic , Diamond White Metallic, Obsidian Black Metallic, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Capri Blue Metallic, Desert Silver Metallic, Sand Beige Metallic, Dakota Brown Metallic, Pewter Metallic, Cinnabar Red Metallic, designo Diamond White Metallic, Alabaster White, Diamond Silver Metallic, Alpine Rain Metallic, Barolo Red Metallic, Brilliant Silver, Desert Silver, Orion Blue, Pearl Beige Metallic, Platinum Blue Metallic, Azure Blue, Azure Blue Metallic, Black Opal, Bordeaux Red Metallic
Interior Colors: Black leatherette, Almond Beige leatherette, Cashmere leatherette, Black leather, Black leather/suede, Auburn Brown/Black leather, Grey leatherette, Macadamia leather, Macadamia leatherette, Almond Beige leather, Charcoal, Ash leather/suede, Grey/Black leather, Ash, Ash leatherette, Almond Beige/Black leather, Ash leather, Black Dinamica/MB-Tex Leatherette leatherette/suede, Black premium leather, Brown Nappa, Gray, designo® Auburn Brown premium leather, Java, designo Ash, designo Black premium leather, designo Java/Borneo, designo Porcelain premium leather
Popular Features: AWD/4WD, Alarm, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Stability Control, Auto Climate Control, Rear Bench Seats, Power Driver Seat, Trip Computer, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Aux Audio Inputs, Sunroof/Moonroof, Post-collision safety system, Bluetooth, Pre-collision safety system, 6000lb Towing Capacity, Automatic Emergency Braking, Heated seats, Navigation, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Back-up camera, USB Inputs, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Upgraded Stereo, Towing Hitch, 5000lb Towing Capacity, Upgraded Headlights, Parking sensors, Keyless Entry/Start, Leather Seats, Cooled Seats, Rear Entertainment System, Adaptive Cruise Control, 3500lb Towing Capacity, Upgraded Engine
Engine/Mechanics: 6, 8, 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (required), diesel, regular unleaded
Drivetrains: all wheel drive, rear wheel drive
