Mercedes-Benz GL-Class sports utility vehicle

Drive

The four-wheel drive GL-Class is fitted with Mercedes' Airmatic air suspension as standard, and it glides over bumps and pot holes with ease, but also remains composed and agile for such a heavy car when faced with twisty roads. The lighter and smaller BMW X5 still sets the standard for handling in this class. The GL 350 CDI is fitted with a smooth and powerful 3.0-litre diesel producing an ample 261bhp, which is more than enough pulling power. Venture off-road, and the GL continues to impress, displaying Land Rover Defender levels of competence in the rough. The thirsty GL 500 model is powered by a 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine producing 382bhp and is capable of reaching 0-60mph in an incredible 6.6 seconds. Both variants are fitted with a 7-speed automatic gearbox, featuring steering wheel mounted paddles for when drivers wish to change gears manually.

Comfort

The air-suspension is fantastic at absorbing bumps and ensuring excess body roll is kept to a minimum. High quality man-made leather and soft touch plastics are used throughout the cabin, and the driving position is imposing and comfortable even over long distances. Parking sensors and a rear view camera help when reversing, while the panoramic glass roof makes the cabin feel even more spacious. Bluetooth and a full multimedia system incorporating sat nav is fitted as standard on all models. Few cars receive higher levels of standard specification than the GL-Class.

Reliability

As the huge GL-Class was designed with the US market in mind, it's built in the States at Mercedes' factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Build quality is first class, and few other cars on the road will stand up to an impact as well as the GL. Mercedes' 30-year anti breakdown warranty is an impressive service.

Practicality

The large cabin contains very comfortable seating for seven people. The middle row boasts flat floors and huge amounts of leg and headroom for all three seats, while the two electrically folding rear seats provide easy access to a massive 2,300-litre luggage space. Up front the dashboard is classy and well designed but almost indistinguishable from the M-Class. The driving position is ideal, providing a great view of the road, and all switches and materials are of very high quality. The GL-Class also has a maximum towing limit of three-and-a-half-tonnes, which makes it an ideal tow-car for horseboxes or large trailers. However, a towbar is optional, costing from around £600.

Value for money

With prices starting well over £50,000 for the entry level GL350 CDI, the GL-Class certainly isn't cheap, but it does come with a high level of standard equipment and is priced noticeably lower than an entry level Range Rover. Mercedes' Artico man-made leather is fitted as standard, as is the seven speed automatic gearbox and parking camera. Spec options are very expensive however, the Luxury Seat Package costs £2,950. Depreciation in this segment can be very painful but will be lower for the diesel model. Both models suffer from high insurance groups. The biggest threat to the cumbersome GL is from the smaller Mercedes-Benz M-Class, which offers many of the same features for considerably less outlay - you need to ask yourself if you want the extra pair of seats and added carrying capacity of the GL-Class.

Running costs

Running or owning a vehicle of this size means fuel costs are rarely low, but driven carefully the diesel GL is capable of returning 31mpg. Huge fuel tanks do result in eye watering fill-up costs however. Even the more efficient diesel GL-Class is Road Tax Band L, which is the second highest. Tyres are huge, so expect equally large bills when the time comes for replacement. If you are considering the petrol engined GL 500 be prepared to spend large sums of money - you'll be doing well to better more than 20mpg in regular driving.