2010 Mercedes GL350 CDI

The GL’s cabin is a typical Mercedes-Benz off-roader, which is a good thing. Build quality is excellent and the materials used are faultless. We did however, have an issue with the colour of the interiors – that chocolate brown might not suit all tastes. That aside, this is a hugely practical and spacious cabin. Once you climb up into the GLs high perch, you’ll find full electric adjustment for the seat and steering wheel. The seat itself is comfortable and the controls are pretty straightforward.

The 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 allow you to get a good view of the outside world. Move over to the third row and you’ll find a genuinely usable set of seats. There’s decent boot space with the seats up, and a cave as big as Batman’s with the seats down.

The GL is very well equipped. It’s got electric everything. The third row folds and pops up at the push of a button, the tailgate closes and opens electrically and even the butterfly third row windows are electrically operated. Then there’s the COMAND system, a reverse camera, twin sunroofs, DVD screens for the middle row with cordless headphones and heated/cooled front seats.