Not many things say style, class, luxury and status as a large SUV riding down the road or pulling up to a movie premier. For a long time the most sought after badge for these functions was not a Mercedes-Benz, but the GL-Class can easily pull these status events off and mix it up with the other high-class SUVs. As the largest in the lineup of Mercedes-Benz SUVs the GL-Class offers comfort, style and sophistication that helps to continue the badge of honor this great SUV wears. Perfect for the growing family or for a stylish drive to dinner, the GL-Class of SUV is an easy vehicle to enjoy with an assortment of high-end equipment.
In many cases the thought of towing a heavy trailer or carrying passengers makes shoppers think of SUVs that are not built for luxury, but this big Benz can easily handle the job and offer plenty of luxury for owners to enjoy. For 2015 the GL-Class adds a new biturbo V6 engine, stop/start technology, as well as some of the optional features from last year changed to standard features for the new model year.
Smooth and easy to drive, the GL-Class appears to be another beastly and hulky SUV, but this beauty drives much nicer than many of the other large SUVs. Instead of feeling like a large and boxy SUV, the GL-Class drives like a sedan sticking to the road easily with its finely tuned suspension that dispels any and all road defects easily. The steering is deft and easily transfers any input to the wheels allowing the driver to keep the big SUV under control under all conditions. Not only is this big boy a great vehicle for towing, but it offers a strong off road capability, making trail riding much more enjoyable than in a smaller SUV.
With four engines to choose from for the power plant of this big SUV anyone can choose the engine that suits their needs the best. All models are equipped with 4Matic all-wheel drive as a standard feature and utilize a seven-speed automatic transmission leaving the only choice which engine to choose.
The first engine which is found in the GL350 Blue TEC is a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 engine that offers 240 horsepower and 455 lb.-ft. of torque. When matched with the transmission this beast can reach a fuel efficiency of 19 city/26 hwy mpg, not bad for such a large vehicle.
Second to the plate is the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 found in the GL450 model that offers 362 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. When paired with the automatic transmission this engine can achieve a fuel mileage of 17 city/21 hwy mpg. With this power plant aboard the GL-Class will reach sixty mph in 6.6 seconds.
The third up is the 4.6-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine carried in the GL550 offering 429 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque. The fuel mileage when the transmission is strapped in comes in at 13 city/18 hwy mpg. This beast will achieve the same sixty mph in 5.5 seconds, making this a very quick large vehicle.
Finally, the 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that is found in the GL63 AMG bats cleanup and carries a massive 550 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque. For those who want some serious off road power, this is the engine to choose and create the most ability under the hood.
The interior of the GL-Class SUV is large and comfortable with room for seven to sit across three rows of seats. Many times a third row means a small area, but the legroom is plentiful in all three rows of this great SUV. With a roof rack on top, the cargo area behind the third row is very limited in the GL-Class but when the second and third rows are folded down the space opens to a massive 93.8 cubic feet of space. Soft materials cover the inside of the GL-Class as well as come very well designed metal trim and wood accents. All driver controls are easy to find and intuitively designed to allow the driver to stay informed of the vehicle needs and road conditions ahead.
From the outside the GL-Class is very understated as a luxury SUV but with the gorgeous front end that is adorned by a massive three-point star this beast is unmistakable as a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. The strong horizontal grill is flanked by two easy to enjoy headlights. The vehicle itself has an overall stance that offers strength and stability just in the looks. The roof rack is easily accessed by a side step rail and the double star shape of the wheels finish off the strong and substantial looks of this massive vehicle.
The standard equipment offered for the GL-Class includes heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a sunroof, a power tailgate, power-folding third row seats, a rearview camera, an audio system with a six-disc CD changer, Bluetooth audio streaming, crosswind stabilization, and a Driver Alert system. All this makes the starting models for the GL-Class packed with a great deal of features for any driver to enjoy and have a great ride.
The optional features offered for the GL-Class include a premium Harman/Kardon sound system, soft close doors, a heated wood and leather steering wheel, a night-vision assist system, blind spot monitoring, a navigation system, tri-zone climate control, a two-speed transfer case for automatic on/off road control, a six-mode drive selector and added underbody protection. Adding some or all of the optional features allows an owner to set up their GL-Class SUV to suit their needs and desires.
The opening price point for the GL350 comes in at $64,500 and the GL450 will come in a little above $66,000 to start out. Both of these are excellent choices with a lot to offer any owner as far as capability and luxury. The GL550 will open up just above the $90,000 price point and the GL63 AMG starts its pricing around $120,000. All these vehicles can reach much higher when options are added, but the GL-Class is an SUV that makes a statement of status and luxury.