Overview & Reviews

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is a full-size luxury SUV built at Mercedes' Tuscaloosa, Alabama, plant alongside the midsize M-Class SUV and R-Class luxury wagon. This is Mercedes' biggest SUV, with three rows of seating and plenty of cargo space. If you're in the market for such a vehicle -- and value on-the-road comfort and manners more than ultimate off-road prowess or tow capacity -- you'll definitely want to check out the GL-Class.

Current Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is offered in three variants: GL350 Bluetec, GL450 and top-of-the-line GL550. The latter features the more powerful V8 engine, a more pronounced front grille and most of the less expensive models' optional features. The GL350 Bluetec has a clean-burning diesel while the GL450 has a gas-powered V8, but these models are virtually identical in terms of equipment.

All GL-Class models have generous seating for up to seven passengers, a roomy cargo hold, capable all-weather performance and the ability to tow various lifestyle accessories, though not quite as effortlessly as some rivals. Standard niceties include powered and heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and a power-folding third-row seat. A hard-drive-based navigation system is available.

Under the GL450's hood is a 4.7-liter V8 making 335 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The GL550 features a 5.5-liter V8 that produces 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The 50-state-aproved GL350 Bluetec is powered by a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 good for 210 hp and 400 lb-ft of low-rpm torque. That type of off-the-line power is well suited to a large SUV, and the diesel also yields superior fuel economy. All GL-Class models come equipped with a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. They also all come with an air-adjustable suspension and all-wheel drive.

In reviews, we've lauded the GL-Class' roomy seating, luxurious cabin and powerful engines. All of the expected luxuries are either standard or available, and the GL also offers the advantage of being slightly less enormous than some rivals. However, it is quite expensive compared to similar models from Audi, Infiniti and Land Rover. Overall, we highly recommend the GL-Class if the price is not too off-putting.

Used Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Models
The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class was introduced for 2007 with two trim levels: GL320 CDI and GL450. The GL320 CDI's diesel power plant was similar in output to the current Bluetec diesel, but it was not cleared for sale in California-emissions states. The GL550 and its more powerful gasoline V8 arrived in 2008. For 2009, the GL320 Bluetec model replaced the GL320 CDI, boasting cleaner emissions that allowed it to be 50-state legal. Also for 2009, the navigation system received hard-drive-based functionality, and the COMAND interface was updated. For 2010, the diesel model became the GL350 Bluetec and received a smidge more torque.

User Reviews:

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  Best SUV Ive driven so far - 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Fadi - June 16 - 11:03 am

  This SUV has everything you dream of having in a vehicle. Quiet and smooth ride, true luxury, powerful brakes, top of the line technology, nice looking, and best of all its a Mercedes.

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  Best SUV - 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By MB - June 10 - 12:56 am

  Probably the best SUV on the market. Smooth, powerful, and fun to drive. A big car, but feels nimble and corners relatively well. It drives like a sedan. It is quiet and you can enjoy your music while the kids can watch DVDs in the back.

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  This car is terrible - 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Disappointed - May 16 - 8:53 pm

  Having spent 5 trips to the dealership to fix a litany of oil leaks that originated after the cam sensors caused a total stoppage of the car I can confidently say this car is terrible. Back gate does not work now. Mercedes took 2 months to investigate my persistent oil leak only to send me a letter saying "good thing you have a warranty." Switched from BMW good thing I have some warranty left so I can swallow the loss and chalk it up as a costly experiment. I wont be fooled by MBs glamorous advertising again. Think twice before getting this car. Interestingly it is rumored the new dodge durango will be a GL in disguise.

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  Quality is back - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By CBM - April 11 - 6:43 am

  I traded my 07 GX 470 Lexus in on this and have been very happy. I get 25 mpg, which is not bad for a large suv. With diesel at 4.50 a gal. it costs to fill the tank, but it is money well spent. The GL is a true pleasure to drive, comfort and ride of a lux car. I have pulled a large boat with out any problem. The little V6 offers plenty of power. It is not a corvett, but fast enough.

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  Great SUV with diesel - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By GB19 - March 31 - 5:33 am

  SUV has been great so far. Fuel consumption has been v. good (23.5 mpg avg. so far over 6K miles, 26+ mpg on longer hwy trips - I used to avg. 16.5 mpg with my old Sequoia!). Seats are very comfortable (feel hard at first, but are great on long trips). Ride quality is excellent + acceleration with the diesel is v. good for a large SUV, but be sure to make a cutout if installing non-MB rubber mats, otherwise you will limit the travel of the accelerator pedal! Interior is v. nice (especially with real leather), exterior looks good, except a bit minivan- ish from the rear. So far has been reliable except for a problem with the charging of a secondary battery. Main gripes are with stereo/nav.

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  What a Luxury SUV Should Be - 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Mr. Jim - March 28 - 7:35 pm

  We used to own a GMC Yukon XL Denali. That was a great roomy SUV but frankly it felt like driving a school bus around town, and long trips were kind of draining despite the fact the vehicle was roomy and comfortable. Our GL450 on the other hand has a little less room on the interior, but it is the best SUV I have ever driven. It steers and feels more like a big luxury sedan than a "truck". The seats are comfortable and look almost brand new on a car that is nearly 5 years old. There is plenty of room for our family of 5 and the third seat can be split or both side folded down to give cavernous storage room. The GL450 accelerates very well, brakes great and shifts smoothly. Some of the controls take a little getting used to and yes, it is a Mercedes so the maintenance can be a bit pricey. That said, we have had nothing major go wrong in the 2 plus years we have owned it. A couple of quirky things required fixing but were covered under the extended warranty we purchased. The GL450 has been really reliable and although the services can be costly, we always get a loaner and are treated with tremendous respect and courtesy by the Mercedes service staff. I think a lot of folks dont consider the loaner value when they complain about the cost of repairs. When I get our Ford or Buick fixed Im usually out anywhere from $50-$100 to a rental car place. The GL450 looks great, is a safe and reliable luxury SUV.

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  Very Poor Electonics Undermine Reliability... - 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Jim - March 22 - 10:47 pm

  ... and Customer Satisfaction/Retention. All electronics in my GL63 are terrible with Navigation and Voice Recognition poorer than any car I own. Unrealiable, Inconsistent, Quirky, freeze and just dont work. Dealership makes excuses but they are terrible. Voice recognition is the worst of the 5 cars I own. Can not get into vehicle as auto door unlocking doesnt always work. Navigation will take you to Mongolia often and I have no confidence in. Options, electronic just dont work more than half the time. Taken to dealership numerous times but they seem resigned to there is no fix. I dont think they even log in my visits any more. My second but last MB. Others are better. Just not enough for the money $130K. Sticking to American and Japanese as I have experienced better reliability and value. MB has been a disappointing brand for me. Looking elsewhere for my next car purchases.

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  GL 550 Refined And Exilerating - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Gary Case - February 11 - 8:53 pm

  This car has a duo personality, smooth and refined around town; yet exilerating on the open road. The ulta wide 21 inch tires complement the suspension dynamics to make it handle like a BMW x5 with out the punishing ride. When you are on a Sunday drive with the family, theyll never realize there is 380 horses under the hood.

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  Waited nine month and its been worth it - 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By amhjms - January 24 - 10:40 pm

  Im a bit of a car freak and after carefully considering the options (Q7, X5, Lexus) decided to wait for the newly designed Benz. Wow, it took a long time, at least partially due to the options we elected. We picked up the car on Tuesday and it is beautiful. We did Arctic White with the special order Black dash/ carpet/headliner with Almond seats and door accents. We also ordered matte wood. It drives like a dream, is very comfortable and has outstanding build quality. We love it and I really believe this one will keep us happy for the decade we plan to keep it.

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  in the shop every other week - 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By David - January 24 - 4:00 am

  I can look back and guarantee on paper my GL goes in the shop almost every other week, I am very disappointed comparing this car to our Lexus, the Lexus has been in the shop at 30k for the key fob not working and to clean the ac filter due to a smell. AS for the GL we have been in the shop all the time for brakes, sensors, squealing brakes oil leak, rear shock for rear door was not working, transmission trouble, squeaking window, right front air shock had to be replaced, the shock is still making noises when you go over a speed bump, bad design glove box that cant store much and always gets jammed, very cheap center wheel caps that need replacing all the time, so many sensors you will be in the shop getting them replaced and while you are there you might as well do your high price service that can run up to 1200.00. Yes 1200.00 and that is with out getting anything fixed. The service is to keep your car under the MB warranty and if you dont decline the service it will void the warranty. I feel like I keep the dealership lights on while they look for there next person that is as uneducated as I was when i bought this big rolling pieces of junk. When i pull up next to some one with a Mercedes I feel bad for them. I know this for a fact, Most people that work for the Mercedes dealership Don"t drive Mercedes, but if they do they usually are driving it for free. One mechanic stated to me that he likes the MB but due to the high price of parts he stays away. If you buy a Mercedes or a GL and you feel like nothing is going your way remember I told you so.