GLE W163

About the GLE W163

Mercedes called it the M-Class before the lawyers got involved, and the W163 was their first SUV. Built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with initial quality that was embarrassing for the brand. Panel gaps you could lose a finger in, electrical issues, and rust in places a Mercedes shouldn't rust. But the bones were solid. The M112 V6 in the ML 320 made 218 hp, the V8 ML 430 hit 268 hp, and the AMG ML 55 pushed to 342 hp from the M113 5.4-liter. Body-on-frame with independent suspension all around, which was unusual for the segment. The W163 improved significantly with the 2002 facelift, better materials and tighter assembly. It sold well because it was a Mercedes SUV and nothing else like it existed from Stuttgart. The concept was right. The execution caught up eventually.