2009 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG - What the Auto Press Says
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG is an excessively powerful SUV.
Model Overview
The ML63 AMG is a performance-tuned variant of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, which ranks high in the class of luxury midsize SUVs for its confident handling, accommodating cabin and excellent safety scores.
The ML63 ups the ante with a high-performance, 503-horsepower V8 engine that's hand built by AMG. Not surprisingly, auto critics are floored by its power, but find it superfluous. "It defies belief, but we still wonder what the point is," writes Car and Driver. After all, the ML63 AMG is an SUV and will always handle as such. Nevertheless, owners can take pride in the huge bragging rights that owning one affords.
The 2009 ML63 AMG's V8 engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The Bottom Line
If you're in the market for an exclusive, high-performance luxury SUV, it's hard to find better than ML63. However, an interesting alternative is the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG. It's bigger, bolder and extremely capable off-road, just not as refined during everyday highway driving.
Performance Dynamics
Though only a few auto critics have test driven the '09 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, those that have say it's a powerful and compliant performer. Among its faults, Edmunds says that its steering lacks sufficient feedback.
The ML63 AMG features a 6.3-liter V8 engine that produces 503 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 465 pound-feet of torque at 5,200 rpm. An AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission is standard. According to Mercedes-Benz, the ML63 AMG has a top speed of 155 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The EPA reports that it nets a city/highway fuel economy of 11/15 mpg.
The four-wheel drive ML63 AMG features rack-and-pinion power steering and a sports suspension system with AMG shock absorbers and stabilizers, as well as AIRMATIC DC, which adjusts air spring tuning to enhance handling dynamics. Also standard is a high-performance AMG braking system with anti-lock brakes, Brake Assist, and an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) that enhances stability in adverse driving conditions by selectively applying brakes and reducing engine torque.
- "Though considerably more expensive than other M-Class models, the ML63 AMG is a true high-performance machine. Its 6.2-liter V8 is hand-built by a single technician. ... Ride quality on pavement is never rough, even in the more stiffly suspended ML63, which features the AirMatic air suspension as standard equipment." -- New Car Test Drive
- "The steering and handling are excellent for an SUV." -- Car and Driver
- "Steering is precise on the 2009 Mercedes M-Class, but it doesn't offer much feedback and feels a little dead in the center. There is some body roll around corners, which is to be somewhat expected from a near 5,000-pound AWD SUV, but the M-Class stays predictable and stable on the road. Braking is quite good; a sure-footed pedal and quick response make for confident stopping power." -- Edmunds
