Mercedes-Benz, a brand synonymous with luxury and engineering excellence, identified a crucial gap in their vehicle lineup during the early to mid-1990s. Despite growing sales, they hadn’t offered an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle since 1993, leaving them vulnerable to competitors like Audi, Subaru, and Volvo who were making inroads with their AWD offerings. To rectify this, Mercedes first introduced AWD to their E-Class sedans and wagons. However, they went a step further, venturing into uncharted territory for the brand: the sport-utility vehicle (SUV) market, culminating in the birth of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class.
The Mercedes-Benz ML320, the inaugural model of the M-Class, was designed from the ground up, setting it apart from rivals in the burgeoning luxury SUV segment. Unlike competitors who adapted existing SUV platforms (like the Lincoln Navigator) or car platforms (such as the Lexus RX300), Mercedes aimed to create a truly unique vehicle. The goal was to deliver a genuine Mercedes experience, capable of tackling off-road conditions and adverse weather while upholding the brand’s renowned standards of luxury, safety, and performance that discerning customers expected.
This ambition led to the ML320 incorporating a blend of technologies traditionally found in either cars or trucks. Mercedes opted for a robust separate frame construction for the 1998 M-Class. This boxed frame provided the torsional rigidity essential for demanding off-road driving scenarios, a feature more commonly associated with trucks. Paired with this truck-like foundation was a sophisticated, fully independent double-wishbone suspension system at all four wheels. This was a groundbreaking application of double-wishbone suspension in a truck, resulting in exceptional on-road handling. This innovative suspension allowed the relatively tall ML320 to achieve slalom speeds comparable to the E320 sedan, showcasing its surprising agility and car-like driving dynamics.
Stepping inside the 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the cabin reflected the premium experience expected from the три-pointed star. The interior materials were generally high quality, excluding the dashboard plastic, offering a luxurious feel. The seats were designed for long-distance comfort, accommodating both front and rear passengers. Practicality was also considered, with ample cupholders for all occupants. The audio system delivered excellent sound quality, and importantly, the secondary controls were user-friendly, a welcome improvement over some of Mercedes’ previous, more confusing control layouts.
Mercedes strategically priced the ML320 to be competitive, positioning it as one of the most accessible vehicles in their lineup. When compared to established American SUVs like the Ford Explorer Limited and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, the 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 emerged as a superior all-around vehicle in most aspects, except perhaps in the most extreme off-road situations. On paved roads, the ML320’s on-road refinement and driving dynamics were unmatched by its American rivals. For buyers considering a four-wheel-drive vehicle, overlooking the Mercedes-Benz ML320 would be a significant oversight, especially for those prioritizing a blend of luxury, capability, and on-road performance in a groundbreaking SUV.
