Mercedes GL Class
Ratings
3 stars
Summary
Average. At last, a Mercedes SUV for those who think the ML is too shy and retiring...
Review
The GL Class has been designed with the American market very much in mind - it's huge even by the standards of big off-roaders. As such, it's likely to appeal to deep-pocketed buyers looking for seven-seat practicality and the cachet of the three-pointed star, but it's certainly not suited to anyone anxious to keep a low profile.
Aesthetically, the GL looks like a scaled up, squared-off version of the ML. It's not visually displeasing, but it lacks the design cohesion of its (slightly) smaller sister. Similarly, the GL's cabin is filled with lots of switchgear common to the ML. Front and mid-row occupants enjoy plenty of space and the quality of the interior fittings is generally high, although (as with the ML) the plastics on the centre console feel cheap for a car in this segment.
Bump-smoothing air suspension and respectably powerful engines make the on-road experience a painless one - although you never lose a sense of the GL's gargantuan scale from the driver's seat. High-speed refinement is good, and the GL is also adept at dealing with rougher road (or off-road) surfaces.
Only three engines will be coming to the UK, reflecting the GL's minority interest status. Of these, only the two diesels come close to making any kind of sense. The basic 320 CDI V6 makes respectable progress, while the range-topping 420 CDI V8 gives the two-and-a-half ton GL some impressive rapidity. We can't see any purpose in the oilfield gargling GL 500 petrol V8 at all.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
3 star
Big and square, there's a dash of MPV mixed into the GL's 4x4 DNA. It's certainly got presence, but looks unsubtle next to the (relatively) restrained ML.
Handling
3 star
Air suspension does a good job at taming the GL's vast bulk - the driving experience is refined and composed.
Comfort
4 star
The spacious cabin and smoothing air suspension make the GL a good tool for long journeys - on wide roads.
Quality & Reliability
4 star
Feels far better put together than some recent Mercs, only a couple of areas of cheap-feeling trim in the cabin count against it.
Performance
4 star
Consider the GL's vast bulk and all available powerplants provide decent urge - although the extraordinarily muscular diesel V8 in the GL 420 CDI is definitely the star of the range.
Roominess
4 star
The big, well finished cabin offers plenty of space for front and middle row occupants, although tight access to the third row seats limits their usefulness. Generous bootspace.
Running Costs
2 star
Only the seriously well-wedged should consider expressing interest - pricey servicing, likely sharp depreciation and oilfield draining fuel economy mean the GL will cost a small fortune to run.
Value for money
3 star
Pricing puts it hard into contention with luminaries like the Range Rover - whether that makes any sense probably depends on whether you need seven seats.
