MERCEDES-BENZ ML 320

Given that we’re all going to be penniless pretty soon, it didn’t seem like a good idea to write about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 sport utility vehicle.

But then I thought about “The Secret” and “The Power of Intention,” which claim we can bring prosperity into our lives by acting like we already have it. So I decided to go ahead and feature the Benz, since we’re all just a mindset away from owning one.

Let me know when your windfall arrives.

The ML 320 is a nice-sized SUV offering generous seating for five and a roomy rear cargo area, but with enough compactness to be sporty and fun, and highly maneuverable in tight spots like parking lots.

Power is provided by a Mercedes turbocharged V6 BlueTEC diesel engine, generating 214 horsepower and a sweet 398 lb-ft of torque. The engine delivers a fuel economy rating of 18 mpg for city driving and 24 mpg on the highway, which is a gain of about 20 to 40 percent over the same vehicle with a gas engine. The standard transmission is a smooth and responsive seven-speed automatic orchestrating a

4Matic all-wheel drive system.

Don’t turn your nose up at the thought of a diesel engine. Ultra-low- sulphur diesel fuel is now widely available in the U.S., and the stink and pollution of diesels of old are gone.

Mercedes touts the BlueTEC as the cleanest diesel engine in the world. It features the trademarked AdBlue agent, injected into the exhaust, converting nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and water.

Standing outside the ML 320 with the engine running, I could hear some of the characteristic diesel rattle, but it’s nowhere near as noisy as the old Mercedes diesels, and is for the most part undetectable from inside the vehicle’s super-quiet cabin.

For 2009 the ML 320’s styling has been updated, including a new front end with prominent horizontal lines, a new grille with three black louvers and chrome highlights, restyled projection-beam headlamps, a new rear bumper and taillights, and new exterior mirrors with larger surfaces.

Inside, there’s a new four-spoke steering wheel with audio controls and standard shift paddles. The seats have a sportier design, and four-way lumbar support is available as an option.

There are three types of wood trim available: burr walnut, poplar with bird’s-eye look, or poplar in anthracite. A storage compartment in the dash console is standard.

ML 320 offers the Mercedes COMAND system that incorporates the operation of the entertainment, communication and navigation systems. In some vehicles, a one-knob-controls-all system like this can be a confusing nightmare, but this one, thankfully, is not.

The ML 320 is loaded with a host of the most up-to-date safety, stability, and comfort and convenience features. Specific pricing information was not available for my test vehicle, but the 2009 ML 320 starts at about $46,000 and can top $60,000 if most optional equipment is added.