New Vehicle Review

By: Steve Masters

I think that’s the real issue with this SUV. It was a nice vehicle, but not for the sticker price. Even at the base price of just over 44-thousand dollars, I thought this Mercedes-Benz SUV was overpriced. Price it in the mid-30’s to upper 30’s and that would have changed my entire outlook.

Dollar for dollar, I would have chosen the 2002 Cadillac Escalade over this in a blink of the eye.

The ML 430 with its 4.3 liter V-8 had plenty of power and a firm, yet comfortable ride. It handled well and was also relatively quiet. It felt and looked well built, which was my expectation for any vehicle this expensive.

Considering its mid-sized SUV classification, interior space for passengers and cargo was also good.

Among other features I liked, was the GPS navigation system. And, the ML430 did have an impressive list of safety features.

Let’s call all of these things "hits."

However, here are some of "misses."

I was very frustrated to find the only cup holder designed for the driver to be located in the dash assembly to the left of the steering wheel. The front seat passenger had one in the dash assembly by the door. That was it, nothing in the center. The center console was taken up by window, outside mirror, and lock controls.

From a driver’s perspective, if you’re left handed, maybe this is great. But for someone like me who is right handed and also likes to use the passenger’s cup-holder for my cellular phone, this is a major problem. MAJOR. Get rid of the controls in the center and give me cup holders, uh, please. And, no, if I have a passenger in the vehicle I don’t use their space for my cellular phone…unless of course they offer or it’s Kristi Bannen.J

My experience with the cup holders was intensified when I pushed on the holder so it would pop out of the dash assembly (as it’s supposed to). It opened without any problems. However, when I went to push it back in, it fell apart. I spent 10-minutes trying to shove it all back in the dash. Once that was accomplished I was forced to use the passenger cup holder that was on the other far side of the dash. Who wanted to deal with that? Let’s just say I was thirsty a lot.

On to another frustration…..the air conditioning system. Why not give us a climate control system so I could have just set the temperature of my choice and forgotten it. Nope, for nearly $ 50,000 I had to keep adjusting the knob to find the right temperature. Not a good thing.

Generally, I like the "Homelink" systems. This is the system that allows you to program in your garage door opener, among other things so you don’t have a bunch of independent remote control devises with which to deal.

In the ML430, in order for it to work, you had to have your key at least in the on-position. Why? I’m not sure. In other vehicles with this system, you don’t even have to have your key in the ignition for it to work. So, for example, in the morning you can jump in your car in the garage, press the button, up goes the garage door, put in the key, and start your vehicle. Now that’s living. I live a very exciting life.

So, that’s it. Not a bad SUV for $ 35,000 but NOT for upwards of an additional $10,000. I’m not even taking off for the fact that I thought the color was also very unimpressive for the extra bucks. I’ll rate this ML430, 2-tires out of 4, making it pretty average. If you own one and love it, drop me an email explaining what I’m missing.