This is an occasional series on vehicles that don't get the credit they deserve. Whether it's poor advertising, no advertising or the simple fact that it's hard to appreciate them until you're behind the wheel, these vehicles often fly under the radar of many enthusiasts.
Not very had to figure out why this vehicle doesn't get much attention. The ML is the Mercedes-Benz you buy for your wife. It was born of the SUV boom of the late '90s and is your basic family truckster dressed in Mercedes leather and chrome.
When it receives the AMG treatment, however, it becomes something else entirely. It gets a more muscular stance, bitchin' wheels, a tasteful body kit and of course, the big honking 6.2-liter V8 up front.
Such upgrades aren't always a recipe for success, but in the ML63 they work. Whatever domestication it had before is wiped away by the burbling exhaust, instant torque and tight suspension. It rips corners and pops off full-throttle upshifts that snap your head back.
It'll hit 60 mph in less than 5 seconds and pull low 13s in the quarter-mile. In other words, it can hang with all those fancy new American muscle cars hitting the streets these days.
All that and this ML is still big enough and comfortable enough to drive the kids to school everyday. If we could afford to drop $90K on an SUV, the ML63 AMG would be high on our list.
Follow Up Test: 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG
7driver says:
12:23 PM, 04/23/09
"This is an occasional series on vehicles that don't get the credit they deserve. Whether it's poor advertising, no advertising or the simple fact that it's hard to appreciate them until you're behind the wheel, these vehicles often fly under the radar of many enthusiasts."
When I read this paragraph, I immediately thought of the Mazda5.
kingkhalas says:
02:10 PM, 04/23/09
I see a lot of middle aged women in my neighborhood driving these AMG versions.
Doesn't exactly make you want to buy or own one.
fst1 says:
03:14 PM, 04/23/09
@kingkhalas: To some degree, that's my point. It gets overlooked because it's still seen as a family vehicle, but in the right hands it can do some amazing things.
Ed Hellwig
slickersdrip says:
03:17 PM, 04/23/09
In my neighborhood there are two of these... perhaps Austin goes for this type of vehicle? They're both driven by men Or perhaps it's just my neighborhood. There are four Trailblazer SS's (one of them is in my garage, driven by my mom), a Cherokee SRT-8 and more Cayenne's than I can keep track of-- all driven by women, too, except for a black Turbo S.
compliance says:
03:54 PM, 04/23/09
The lines of the ML are too soft and feminine, even in AMG trim. Part of the appeal of an SUV lies at least a little in its rugged/manly looks, but there is no ruggedness here. Hence the X5, Land Rovers, etc.. getting much more attention.
redliner says:
04:08 PM, 04/23/09
90K?! Yikes! Thats more than an M3. I know, i know, totally different audience, but still, if performance is the main point, you can get a lot more for less.
felonious says:
09:30 AM, 04/24/09
I love this new Unsung Heroes idea! Please add the SVT Focus to your list.