ML500 is a beauty and a beast

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With the world economy staggering along on wobbly legs and greenies frothing at the mouth about global warming, fossil fuels and emissions, the ostentatious opulence of driving an expensive gas-guzzler such as the ML500 might lift an eyebrow or two.

But I am not quite convinced that the tsk-tsk-ing from The Caring Citizens stem from their very real concern for Planet Earth or whether it's not the old Green Monster rearing its head because, if truth be known, they would love to own a set of big fancy wheels if only they could afford it.

Be that as it may, the ML500 is definitely not aimed at the common or garden commuter who hops to and from work every day in his or her nondescript motorised chest freezer.

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Even without any fancy optional extras our test vehicle, the ML500 4Matic, will dent a bank account by R765,000 and with its anti-social drinking habits it is an expensive machine to keep on the road.

I have never been a fan of Jurassic SUVs. To me a good old station wagon does a much better job of hauling kids to school, dogs to the beach and swallowing all the paraphernalia a family needs for a weekend away.

Besides being a more sensible option station wagons also cost considerably less.

But then SUVs such as the ML500 appeal to snobs and wrinkle-rocker hooligans, not pedantic bean counters. And for that you can blame its upmarket living quarters, magic carpet ride and the awesome chunk of V8 machinery shoe-horned under the bonnet.

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I have said it often and I will say it to my dying day: there are very few better goose-flesh inducing audio concerts and driving thrills than being in close proximity to a V8 engine at full bore.

If ever a Truth Commission is established in South Africa to investigate dribbling adoration, unadulterated passion and occasional flagrant abuse of V8 engines I will have be one of the first to plead for amnesty.

Behind the wheel of the ML500 I had to force myself to go easy on the joy pedal; difficult when there is a full race card of thoroughbred stallions begging to show off their 285kW/530Nm eagerness to sprint.

Mercedes claims the 5.4-litre beast will do the 0-100km/h squirt in 5.8 seconds, but even our best of 6.5 seconds is still quicker than many hatches and sporty saloons.

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But not all about the ML500 is blue-blooded and instinctively likeable. The gauges, knobs and dials are all fairly logically positioned, but lacks a little in visual pleasure and ease of use.

The sound system takes some getting used to and the fact that the central console lights up like a Boeing cockpit at night adds to the initial confusion.

Other features which distracts from the Merc's high-brow image is a foot-operated parking brake which clanks when hand released and a gear selector which is similar in size and position as the indicator stalk in Japanese cars.

But, little niggles aside, the shiny metal and soft leather cabin environment oozes German craftsmanship.

There is lots of space for five passengers and the seats, particularly the two up front, are exceptionally comfortable and fully electronically adjustable.

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A feature a particularly liked was the driver's choice of ride - Comfort for a soft, slightly wafting ride, and Sport, when the Airmatic suspension stiffens up for better cling through the twisties.

Considering its size, height and weight the ML500 handles with aplomb, with not much body lean, dip or surge under braking and acceleration.

In good conditions the ABS-assisted brakes and 19-inch alloys wrapped in 255/50 R19 103W rubber will slam the ML from 100 to zero in about 3 seconds.

Other impressive safety features include ESP/TC/ASR and Pre-Safe, as well as front, side and overhead airbags.

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The big Merc is a pleasant and easy car to drive and park, even in congested city streets, and because of the driver's high position - and huge side mirrors (which gives good views of the back and can also fold down) - squeezing into tight spaces is a doddle.

The boot is enormous, although the barn door lid at the back is heavy and cries out for press-button, no hands-required functionality.

More than 300,000 ML's have been sold globally, quite a few of them finding homes in South Africa and it's easy to understand why.

The ML is absolutely at home on the wide open road and is not too fancy and finicky for moderate rough stuff. On a recent round trip between Cape Town and the Kgalagadi we saw more ML's than any other premium SUVs.

The ML500's price includes a two-year, unlimited mileage warranty and a six-year/120,000km Mobilodrive plan.

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In the land of grand SUV's others who stride their stuff include Audi Q7, BMW X5 and X6, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover Discovery, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, Toyota Land Cruiser, Volvo XC90 and Volkswagen Touareg.

Thus, plenty to choose from and much depends on personal preference and wallet size, but don't make up your mind until you've driven the ML500.

And, by the way, the ML also comes with extra testosterone loading in the shape of ML63 AMG - if your bank balance can take the pain of its R1,14-million price tag.