Mercedes-Benz GL 350 CDI long term review final report

We made the most of the May holiday season and the practical GL with frequent family weekend trips to Mahabaleshwar during this massive SUV’s final stint with us.

Published on Sep 13, 2014 08:00:00 AM

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Mercedes-Benz GL 350 CDI long term review final report

But it’s not just for skipping visits to the pump that I took the GL to Mahabaleshwar almost every weekend during its time with us; this hulking-big SUV is just so comfortable and practical for the 550km round trip. Unlike most seven seaters, the last row of seats is genuinely useable and you don’t feel you’re losing circulation to your legs even after our routine three-hour long stints between coffee breaks. Also, you don’t have to choose between a third row and luggage space, another typical seven-seater trade-off. In the GL, there’s enough luggage space for all seven people for the weekend. Quite frankly, if it weren’t for this Merc — during the weekend I had a full house — I’d have needed two cars to pack in the family, in-laws and friends.

With the GL, it’s the regular ‘via Pune’ route we take. It’s more comfortable for everyone thanks to the multi-lane expressway followed by NH4, which lets you cruise without a fuss. Even with a full load, this SUV always feels like it has a surplus of power. The creamy smooth V6 belts out enough torque to make overtaking simply effortless. You don’t mind the lethargy of the 7-speed gearbox, which takes its time swapping cogs, because performance is seamless, unhurried and lowers your pulse rate — just the way Mrs. Sorabjee likes it.