Mercedes-Benz ML
Mercedes-Benz
Photo: Dinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Mercedes-Benz ML: The Pioneering Luxury SUV
The ML (M-Class) was Mercedes-Benz's first modern luxury SUV, a pioneering crossover that helped launch the premium SUV boom.
Launched in 1997 and built in the US, the M-Class (ML) was Mercedes-Benz's first car-based luxury SUV and one of the vehicles that ignited the premium SUV market. It combined Mercedes refinement and safety with genuine all-road capability.
Across its generations the ML offered V6, V8, and diesel engines, available air suspension, and a comfortable, upscale interior, with potent AMG versions for performance buyers. It was a strong seller that established Mercedes in the SUV class.
The ML was renamed GLE in 2015 to align with Mercedes' naming structure, but as the M-Class it played a pioneering role in the luxury SUV revolution.
Frequently asked questions about Mercedes-Benz ML
What is the Mercedes ML?
The ML, or M-Class, was Mercedes-Benz's first modern car-based luxury SUV.
When was the ML launched?
The M-Class launched in 1997.
What replaced the ML name?
The ML was renamed GLE in 2015 to align with Mercedes' naming structure.
Where was the ML built?
The M-Class was built in the United States.
Why is the ML significant?
It helped ignite the premium luxury SUV market as one of the first car-based luxury SUVs.