Mercedes-Benz of Westminster

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Walk Around

The Mercedes GL-Class has similar styling cues to those of the M-Class (ML), but applies them to a larger package and adds some strong, more muscular touches. For example, both in front and at the rear, a metal skid plate (designed to protect underlying mechanical parts from damage when driving off pavement) is a prominent feature to underscores the GL's image of strength. Front-end styling has been adjusted slightly from 2009 but is still instantly recognizable as a Mercedes-Benz. In an unusual twist, the diesel GL350 comes with larger wheels than the gasoline GL450.

Unique to the GL550 is a deeper, more aggressive front-end treatment, including a larger three-bar grille and the logo star is the largest of any North American Mercedes. With its 21-inch wheels, fat tires and dual-split exhaust outlets the 550 is the most imposing GL.

Seen in profile, the nicely raked windshield and bulging wheel arches over large wheels (19-inch or better) help balance what is basically a tall and long vehicle. Although tall and long, the slightly narrower GL doesn't look as bulky as, say, the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon. And even with the squared-off rear edge of its D-pillar, the GL doesn't look as boxy as the Jeep Commander or Mercedes' own G-Class.

Viewed from the rear, the GL offers a formidable stance. It's tall and wide, with a large rear hatch opening and large LED tail lights, all sitting above a substantial skid plate bracketed on either side by large, rectangular exhaust pipes.

Compared to the ML, the GL is over a foot longer overall and an inch wider in track (the left-to-right distance between the centers of the tires), though it is barely a hair wider overall and not quite an inch taller. Despite their similar styling, the Mercedes SUVs share only their front doors; otherwise, each has unique sheet metal.

As large as the GL may appear, it's three inches shorter than the R-Class touring wagon, which also has three rows of seating, though with less room for six occupants.

The GL is built using unibody construction rather than the body-on-frame design that full-size pickups and SUV's traditionally use. Mercedes notes that because of this architecture, the GL-Class is 300-600 pounds lighter than its full-size competitors. To make sure the GL class is strong enough, 60 percent of the vehicle structure is made from special high-strength steel.

Interior

2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

While the Mercedes GL may look sleeker than some competitors, it was designed to offer class-leading interior room and ease of entry and exit.

An upright rear end minimizes snow accumulation and benefits cargo space. With all seats in their upright position, there's still 14 cubic feet of storage between the third-row seatbacks and the closed rear hatch door. A power folding feature for the third row is standard equipment on the GL with controls near the rear hatch and next to the right-side second-row passenger's seat. Power down those third-row seats, and cargo capacity expands to 43.8 cubic feet. Fold down the 60/40-split second row seats and the GL provides as much as 83.3 cubic feet for cargo. There's also room under the cargo floor for a full-size spare tire.

The interior layout is familiar to Mercedes drivers, with faux MB-Tex or real leather trim for the seats (Mercedes notes that not all luxury car buyers want leather seating surfaces), wood trim and metal rings around gauges, air vents, and cup holders. Switchgear is comprehensive without being overwhelming, and the shift lever on the steering column and paddles on the wheel allow for maximum console space.

The second-row seats provide ample room, with more head and legroom than a Cadillac Escalade or Chevrolet Suburban; the door opening is substantial so shoes and long legs don't get caught on the pillar. When occupied by only two people, the back of the center section can be folded down as an armrest and storage tray.

We climbed into the third row and found room for two six-foot adults to ride back there, each in a separate seat; again with more headroom and nearly eight inches more legroom than the Escalade, and just half an inch less legroom than the much longer Suburban. The room is enhanced by foot wells for your feet so you don't sit with your knees at chest level, and even the third-row seats are thickly padded to provide comfort. Fears of claustrophobia back there evaporate quickly thanks to the sunroof that extends over the third row and opening quarter windows.

The COMAND system features a 6.5-inch color display screen; a standard in-dash, six-disc DVD / CD changer; and a Bluetooth interface that allows a phone still in a pocket or purse to be operated through the car's audio system. COMAND can also be equipped with an optional iPod/MP3 interface, Sirius satellite radio, HD radio, and an enhanced voice control system. It can play tracks stored on a data CD, DVD or SD memory card. The new system can also display maps and directions for the optional hard-drive navigation system, which can be set up for SIRIUS real-time traffic info and Zagat restaurant ratings as well.

All GL-Class models can be equipped with an optional 610-watt digital harmon/kardon Logic7 audio system, and a rear-seat entertainment system that includes two eight-inch screens mounted in the rear of the front-seat headrests wireless headphones and an integrated DVD player with dual-source capability. If you're in the habit of throwing your right arm behind the passenger seat when backing up, watch your rings don't scratch the screen.

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