Mercedes-Benz, despite enjoying increased sales, identified a significant gap in their vehicle lineup by the late 1990s. Since 1993, they hadn’t offered an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle, leaving them vulnerable to competitors like Audi, Subaru, and Volvo, who were actively marketing their AWD capabilities. In response to this market shift, Mercedes-Benz reintroduced AWD to their E-Class sedans and wagons and, more significantly, developed a dedicated sport-utility vehicle to truly challenge the evolving automotive landscape.
Unlike many luxury off-road vehicles of the era, the 1998 Mercedes Benz Ml 320 was not simply a modification of an existing SUV or built upon a car platform, setting it apart from models like the redesigned Lincoln Navigator or the Lexus RX300. Instead, the ML 320 was conceived and engineered from the ground up as a unique Mercedes-Benz entity. Its core mission was to deliver genuine off-road capability and dependable performance in adverse weather conditions without compromising the signature luxury, safety, and performance that Mercedes-Benz owners had come to expect and demand.
This innovative approach meant the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML 320 integrated technologies previously segregated between cars and trucks. For example, Mercedes-Benz opted for a robust separate frame for this SUV. Boxed at both ends, this frame provided the ML 320 with exceptional torsional rigidity, a critical attribute for serious off-road driving and handling challenging terrains. To this rugged, truck-like frame, Mercedes-Benz ingeniously attached a four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension system. This was a groundbreaking application, marking the first time double-wishbone suspension technology was implemented on all four wheels of a truck. The result was a remarkably smooth and refined on-road ride. This advanced suspension allowed the relatively tall vehicle to navigate slalom courses with impressive agility, achieving speeds comparable to the E320 sedan, showcasing a blend of SUV robustness and car-like handling.
Stepping inside the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML 320, occupants were greeted with the familiar touches of quality synonymous with the three-pointed star. Interior materials were generally high-caliber, with the exception of the dashboard plastic. The seats provided ample comfort for long journeys, and thoughtful additions like multiple cupholders for both front and rear passengers enhanced practicality. The audio system delivered excellent sound quality, and importantly, the secondary controls were designed with user-friendliness in mind, avoiding the confusing pictograms that had occasionally marred previous Mercedes-Benz models.
Mercedes-Benz strategically priced the 1998 ML 320 to be highly competitive, positioning it as the second most affordable vehicle in their entire model range at the time. When compared to established trucks like the Ford Explorer Limited and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML 320 demonstrably surpassed them in overall refinement and on-road dynamics, only conceding slightly in the most extreme off-road scenarios. On paved roads, the American competitors simply couldn’t match this Teutonic trailblazer’s blend of comfort and performance. For anyone considering a move towards a four-wheel-drive vehicle in 1998, overlooking the Mercedes-Benz ML 320 would have been a significant oversight, given its pioneering approach to luxury SUVs.
