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Mercedes-Benz M-Class

The first American-built Mercedes: a $1 billion SUV gamble.12

Researched October 30, 2026 from 43 sources

Also called

  • Alabama TrashcanEarly W163 quality problems earned the insult. Quality improved, especially after the 2001 facelift for model year 2002.3

At a glance

0300600
148–550 hpPower
07.515
4.2–10.3 s0–60 mph
0150300
180–282 km/hTop speed
0400800
220–759 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
1,905–2,397 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.123101314

Engine
2.1–6.2 L gas/diesel I4, I5, V6 and V8; ML450 Hybrid V6/electric311
Layout
Front-engine; AWD, or 2013-on ML350 rear-wheel drive12
Gearbox
ML230 5-speed manual; ML270 CDI 6-speed; 5/7-speed autos; ML450 Hybrid CVT36
Built at
MBUSI Tuscaloosa, USA; W163 also Magna Steyr Graz, Austria (1999–2002)3

The story

Built to challenge Jeep and Land Rover, the original M-Class combined a separate frame, fully independent suspension and low range with 4ETS, which braked spinning wheels to keep it moving.345

1996: AAVision previews the M-Class in Detroit19961997: America builds its first Mercedes19972000: ML55 AMG arrives with 342 hp20002001: 2002-model facelift starts the recovery20012005: W164 goes unibody, adds seven speeds20052009: 335 hp from the ML450 Hybrid20092012: ML63 AMG: 550 hp and 4.2 seconds20122015: M-Class becomes GLE2015 Mercedes-Benz AAVision: 1996Mercedes-Benz M-Class (W163): 1997–2005W163Mercedes-Benz M-Class (W164): 2005–2011W164Mercedes-Benz M-Class (W166): 2011–2015W166Mercedes-Benz GLE: 2015–presentMercedes-Benz GLE 1995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones3562324
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1996Mercedes-Benz AAVision
1997–2005Mercedes-Benz M-Class (W163)
2005–2011Mercedes-Benz M-Class (W164)
2011–2015Mercedes-Benz M-Class (W166)
2015–presentMercedes-Benz GLE
1996AAVision previews the M-Class in Detroit
1997America builds its first Mercedes
2000ML55 AMG arrives with 342 hp
20012002-model facelift starts the recovery
2005W164 goes unibody, adds seven speeds
2009335 hp from the ML450 Hybrid
2012ML63 AMG: 550 hp and 4.2 seconds
2015M-Class becomes GLE
  1. 1996

    AAVision previews the M-Class in Detroit

    January's AAVision previewed the future SUV in Detroit; two months later, Geneva introduced the M-Class name that would reach production.6

  2. 1997

    America builds its first Mercedes

    The M-Class reached the US market in fall 1997, backed by more than $1 billion and an all-new Alabama factory, workforce and production methods.1

  3. 2000

    ML55 AMG arrives with 342 hp

    For model year 2000, the ML55 AMG brought a 5.4 L V8, firmer dampers and four-piston front brake calipers to the M-Class.37

  4. 2001

    2002-model facelift starts the recovery

    The W163 facelift renewed more than 1100 parts as quality improved; new lamps, bumpers and mirror-mounted indicators marked the change.38

  5. 2005

    W164 goes unibody, adds seven speeds

    The W164 arrived for model year 2006 with a unibody and a seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic, replacing the W163's separate-frame layout.3

  6. 2009

    335 hp from the ML450 Hybrid

    Announced in April for the US, the ML450 Hybrid paired a V6 and two motors in a two-mode transmission; customers could only lease it.39

  7. 2012

    ML63 AMG: 550 hp and 4.2 seconds

    The ML63 AMG offered 518 hp as standard or 550 hp with the Performance package. The upgraded version clocked 4.2 seconds to 60 mph.10

  8. 2015

    M-Class becomes GLE

    After BMW's objection made ML badges necessary, the facelifted W166 adopted the GLE name, aligning the SUV with the E-Class.3

Every generation

  • Mercedes-Benz AAVision
    Mercedes-Benz AAVision1996
  • Mercedes-Benz M-Class
    W1631997–2005
  • Mercedes-Benz M-Class
    W1642005–2011
  • Mercedes-Benz M-Class
    W1662011–2015
  • Mercedes-Benz GLE
    Mercedes-Benz GLE2015–present

Power over the years

From 148 hp to 550 hp in 14 years.

0200400600 2000200520102015 hp 1998 · 148 hp · ML230, Europe (manual)1998 · 215 hp · ML320 3.2 L V62000 · 342 hp · ML55 AMG 5.4 L V82001 · 247 hp · ML400 CDI V8 diesel2006 · 268 hp · US ML350 3.5 L V62006 · 302 hp · US ML500 V82007 · 503 hp · ML63 AMG 6.2 L M156 V82010 · 335 hp · ML450 Hybrid2012 · 518 hp · ML63 AMG standard2012 · 550 hp · ML63 AMG Performance package2015 · 200 hp · ML250 BlueTEC replaces ML350 BlueTEC2015 · 329 hp · ML400 replaces ML550 550 hp ML63 AMG Performance package 148 hp ML230, Europe (manual)
37910111315
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1998148ML230, Europe (manual)
1998215ML320 3.2 L V6
2000342ML55 AMG 5.4 L V8
2001247ML400 CDI V8 diesel
2006268US ML350 3.5 L V6
2006302US ML500 V8
2007503ML63 AMG 6.2 L M156 V8
2010335ML450 Hybrid
2012518ML63 AMG standard
2012550ML63 AMG Performance package
2015200ML250 BlueTEC replaces ML350 BlueTEC
2015329ML400 replaces ML550

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • ML 350 (W166)

    Standard

    ML 350 (W166)

    2012–2015

    302 hp
  • ML 250 BlueTEC

    Standard

    ML 250 BlueTEC

    2015

    200 hp

  • Standard

    ML 400 4MATIC

    2015

    329 hp
  • ML 55 AMG (W163)

    Performance

    ML 55 AMG (W163)

    2000–2003

    342 hp
  • ML 63 AMG (W166)

    Performance

    ML 63 AMG (W166)

    2012–2015

    518 hp
  • ML 450 Hybrid

    Standard

    ML 450 Hybrid

    2010

    335 hp
  • Edition 10

    Special

    Edition 10

    2007–2008

  • Grand Edition

    Special

    Grand Edition

    2010–2011

  • Limited

    Inspiration

    2002

  • Limited

    ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC 1st Anniversary Edition

    2013

How to spot one

Look for

  • ML followed by three digits is the badge format used under the M-Class family name.3
  • W163: sloping hood, beveled edges and a sporty SL-style grille.23
  • W164: oversized three-pointed grille star and eyebrow-like creases above the taillights.15
  • AMG wheels alone aren't proof: the 2015 ML 400 also has an appearance package with 19-inch AMG wheels.11

Year by year

  1. 2000 model year

    ML 320 bumpers and mirrors now matched the body color.5

  2. 2002 model year

    W163: new headlight and taillight lenses, reshaped bumpers and side indicators relocated from the fenders to the mirrors.3

  3. 2006 model year

    W164: longer, wider wedge-shaped body, sharply raked windshield and integrated fender flares.115

  4. 2010–2011 Grand Edition

    Grand Edition-specific arrow-shaped turn signals appear in the side mirrors.1719

  5. 2015 / 2016 model year

    The facelifted W166 adopts the GLE name in 2015 for the 2016 model year; earlier M-Class cars use ML badges.322

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Mercedes-Benz M-Class
    M-Class
    Photo of a Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (X164)
    Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (X164)

    Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (X164)

    The related GL stretches its body to fit a third seating row; the W164 M-Class has no third row.315

Against its rivals

  • Lexus RX450h AWD

    M-Class vs Lexus RX450h AWD

    City fuel economy

    M-Class21 mpg
    Lexus RX450h AWD30 mpg
    9

  • M-Class vs BMW X5 M (2012)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    M-Class4.2 s
    BMW X5 M (2012)4 s
    14

  • M-Class vs Porsche Cayenne Turbo (2012)

    Price as tested lower is better

    M-Class$109,010
    Porsche Cayenne Turbo (2012)$149,055
    14

Prices

Value today $7.8K–$36.5K3031

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K$1M 200020052010201520202025 Value today: $7,750–$36,501 1998 · $35,000 · US estimated base, ML3202000 · $65,495 · US base, ML55 AMG2006 · $40,500 · US base, ML3502006 · $47,280 · US as tested, ML3502006 · $49,250 · US base, ML500 incl. destination2012 · $95,865 · US base, ML63 AMG2012 · $109,010 · US tested, ML63 AMG Performance 1998 · $35,000 · US estimated base price, 1998 model year 2024 · $11,000 · 2005 ML500, BaT2024 · $10,750 · 2003 ML55 AMG, 103k miles, BaT2024 · $11,111 · 2007 ML350 4MATIC, 99k miles, BaT2026 · $22,500 · 2013 ML63 AMG, 58k miles, clean Carfax, BaT2026 · $14,350 · 2000 ML55 AMG, 100k miles, BaT2026 · $36,501 · 2010 ML63 AMG 4MATIC, 7k miles, clean Carfax, BaT2026 · $7,750 · 2005 ML500, 64k miles, damage history, BaT2026 · $18,999 · 2015 ML350 4MATIC, 78k miles, BaT2026 · $35,750 · 2013 ML63 AMG P30 Performance Package, 24k miles, BaT2026 · $4,900 · 2007 ML320 CDI 4MATIC, 125k miles, BaT2026 · $17,001 · 2015 ML63 AMG, 109k miles, BaT2026 · $14,500 · 2008 ML63 AMG 4MATIC, 64k miles, BaT2026 · $4,300 · 2002 ML320, 141k miles, BaT $36.5K BaT, 2026
1237101415303132353637383940414243
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1998Launch price$35,000US estimated base price, 1998 model year
1998Price when new$35,000US estimated base, ML320
2000Price when new$65,495US base, ML55 AMG
2006Price when new$40,500US base, ML350
2006Price when new$47,280US as tested, ML350
2006Price when new$49,250US base, ML500 incl. destination
2012Price when new$95,865US base, ML63 AMG
2012Price when new$109,010US tested, ML63 AMG Performance
2024Auction sale$11,0002005 ML500, BaT
2024Auction sale$10,7502003 ML55 AMG, 103k miles, BaT
2024Auction sale$11,1112007 ML350 4MATIC, 99k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$22,5002013 ML63 AMG, 58k miles, clean Carfax, BaT
2026Auction sale$14,3502000 ML55 AMG, 100k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$36,5012010 ML63 AMG 4MATIC, 7k miles, clean Carfax, BaT
2026Auction sale$7,7502005 ML500, 64k miles, damage history, BaT
2026Auction sale$18,9992015 ML350 4MATIC, 78k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$35,7502013 ML63 AMG P30 Performance Package, 24k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$4,9002007 ML320 CDI 4MATIC, 125k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$17,0012015 ML63 AMG, 109k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$14,5002008 ML63 AMG 4MATIC, 64k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$4,3002002 ML320, 141k miles, BaT
2026Value today$7,750–$36,501

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “ML55 AMG reached 227 km/h in testing”
    • “Strugo's back-to-back production trophies”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 43 sources
  1. 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 caranddriver.com
  2. 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Is Every Bit a Merc caranddriver.com
  3. Mercedes-Benz GLE - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. Used Mercedes M-Class review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  5. 1998-05 Mercedes-Benz M-Class | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  6. 163 series M-Class, 1997 - 2001 mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com
  7. Tested: 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML55 Brings AMG into the SUV Fold caranddriver.com
  8. Mercedes-Benz Classe M (Type 163) — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  9. 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid caranddriver.com
  10. 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG – Instrumented Test – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  11. 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML400 and ML250 BlueTec Join Lineup motortrend.com
  12. 2012-14 Mercedes-Benz M-Class | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  13. Mercedes W166 M-Class & GLE-Class Buyer's Guide | FCP Euro fcpeuro.com
  14. Tested: 2012 High-Performance SUV Comparison caranddriver.com
  15. 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Review & Road Test - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  16. Mercedes ML63 AMG review | evo evo.co.uk
  17. Mercedes-Benz Classe M (Type 164) — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  18. Complete info, pics on the Mercedes M-Class "Edition 10" - Autoblog autoblog.com
  19. Mercedes M-Klasse: Sondermodell mit Sparpotential [Autokiste] autokiste.de
  20. M-Class "Inspiration": Special-edition model with exclusive, high-class specification autointell.com
  21. 「ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC 1st Anniversary Edition」を限定発売 media.mercedes-benz.jp
  22. Mercedes-Benz M-Class For Sale - BaT Auctions bringatrailer.com
  23. Mercedes-Benz Classe M — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  24. La nouvelle Mercedes-Benz Classe M media.mercedes-benz.fr
  25. Wolfgang's ML Page: Worldcup whnet.com
  26. Reference: ML320 Guide | Jurassic Park Motor Pool | JPMotorpool.com jpmotorpool.com
  27. IGCD.net: Mercedes-Benz ML in The Lost World: Jurassic Park igcd.net
  28. STEVE MATTIN, CV AND BIOGRAPHY - Volvo Car Germany Presse news.cision.com
  29. Mercedes-Benz M-Klasse für den Papst - Auto-Medienportal auto-medienportal.net
  30. No Reserve: 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML500 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,750 on September 11, 2026 (Lot #262,644) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 7k-Mile 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG 4MATIC for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $36,501 on April 14, 2026 (Lot #237,760) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $22,500 on February 5, 2026 (Lot #228,948) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. Mercedes-Benz ML W163 Common Problems (1998 to 2005): ML320, ML350, ML430 and ML500 - MB Medic mercedesmedic.com
  34. Before you buy a used Mercedes-Benz ML (W164) — Testigo testigoauto.com
  35. No Reserve: 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,350 on March 7, 2026 (Lot #232,578) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $4,300 on May 16, 2026 (Lot #242,872) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. 24k-Mile 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG P30 Performance Package for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $35,750 on September 19, 2026 (Lot #263,928) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. No Reserve: 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML350 4MATIC for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $18,999 on October 17, 2026 (Lot #268,969) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. No Reserve: 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDI 4MATIC for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $4,900 on September 12, 2026 (Lot #262,878) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  40. 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,001 on August 1, 2026 (Lot #255,378) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  41. No Reserve: 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG 4MATIC for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,500 on May 27, 2026 (Lot #244,777) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  42. No Reserve: 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,750 on March 29, 2024 (Lot #141,452) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  43. No Reserve: 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML350 4MATIC for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $11,111 on March 15, 2024 (Lot #139,770) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • consumerguide.com
  • mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com
  • fr.wikipedia.org
  • motortrend.com
  • fcpeuro.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • autoblog.com
  • autokiste.de
  • autointell.com
  • media.mercedes-benz.jp
  • bringatrailer.com

Photo credits

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