Mercedes GL test drive & review

Mercedes-Benz’s premium SUV, the GL-class is finally out and this Merc is so big that it even dwarfs the Audi Q7. It’s a full-size SUV with seven seats, gets the 3.0-litre BlueEfficiency V6 diesel from the E-class, and wheels and tyres that can make the moon look like a pebble.

At first glance, the GL has all the visual appeal of a tarted-up MUV. The flat, square sides and its upright D-pillar are in sharp contrast to today’s dropping window lines and curves, but it’s livened up by the generous appliqué of chrome – the roof rails look like two solid bars of polished steel, there’s a chrome brush-guard under the front and rear bumpers, on the door handles and on the load lip.

The GL is based on the R-class MPV, which in turn is based on the Mercedes-Benz ML, which means it’s a monocoque and has Merc’s 4-MATIC full-time four-wheel-drive system. Wearing hybrid on/off-road 275/55-R19 Michelins, it looks like – and is – a more conventional SUV.

The GL’s cabin is a typical Mercedes-Benz off-roader, which is no bad thing. Build quality is excellent and the materials used are faultless, but in no way does it feel extra special. The interiors come in a shade of chocolate brown and this might not suit all tastes. That aside, this is a hugely practical and spacious cabin. You get full electric adjustment for the seat and steering wheel. The seat itself is comfortable and the controls are pretty straightforward.

That yawning 3075mm wheelbase means the GL’s middle row is hugely spacious. There’s plenty of legroom, headroom is good and the bench seat can seat three comfortably. There’s good thigh support and the high seats give you a good view out of the car. There’s decent boot space with the seats up, which doubles up with the seats down.

GL’s 3-litre engine makes 224bhp and 52kgm of torque that peaks at a low 1600rpm and stays flat till 2800rpm. But due to its curb weight of 2505kg the GL doesn’t feel particularly quick. However, it will hit the 100kph mark in 10.2 sec, which is not bad considering its size and it will hit a top speed of 210kph before its cliff-face aerodynamics play spoilsport. Here is a SUV that builds speed in a linear manner and without any drama and so doesn’t feel spectacular in the power department.

On the road it’s reasonably quick although overtaking is sometimes hampered by the seven-speed auto box – it feels lethargic at downshifting. The engine is smooth and barely perceptible. It’s very refined and even under hard acceleration doesn’t make much noise.

Take this SUV off-road and the only thing that limits the GL is its size. Axle articulation is first rate and even without the differentials locked the electronics distribute power so it can drive along rather easily. To say that it is capable off-road is a bit of an understatement. 

At 6.0kpl in the city and 10.5kpl on the highway, the GL’s fuel efficiency figures aren’t too bad, no doubt helped by the seven-speed gearbox. And along with its massive 100-litre tank, the GL has an incredible average range of 800 kilometres.

The GL makes a brilliant case for itself. It’s got huge talent – it behaves respectably on the road and is great off it. Its biggest advantage is that it is a genuine seven-seater like no other. It’s got huge presence, plenty of equipment and, if you can ignore the price for a second, is quite practical too. It’s just that at Rs 91.25 lakh (on-road Mumbai), it’s quite expensive.

For complete specifications click here.