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Big 'Benz off-roader offers buyers a Range Rover substitute with all the presence and lots more space.

   



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| Week at the Wheel | Mercedes-Benz GL 420 CDI |

Big off-roaders don't come much bigger than the GL-Class from Mercedes-Benz. It's largely overlooked by buyers in favour of the established rock-crawling aristocracy that is the Land Rover Range Rover, but the big Merc is more than a measure for the established SUV competition. Powered by a 4.0-litre turbodiesel it's also indecently fast.

Inside & Out: star star star star star

There's a real honesty about the way the Mercedes GL looks: it's a big, slab-sided, boxy machine that doesn't pretend to be anything other than a chunky SUV. It's huge, the GL dwarfing almost everything else on the road. The massive three-pointed star on the grille leaves no doubt to the GL's status either, not that the GL needs badging to underline its gravitas.

Its scale means there's lots of space inside, so the GL is a genuine seven-seater; that's seven adults, the rearmost seats accommodating more than just children. They rise from the floor via electric motors, creating a third row that although ruining boot space is surprisingly spacious and comfortable. Getting into that row requires a bit of acrobatics though, which is their biggest limiting factor. The rest of the interior is typically Mercedes, which means fine materials mixed with excellent ergonomics. It doesn't quite exude the boardroom feel of the Range Rover inside, but it does feel like it will last forever and is classily restrained.

Engine & Transmission: star star star star star

The GL is offered with three different engines and this 4.0-litre V8 turbodiesel version is surely the best of the bunch. With 302bhp and 516lb.ft of torque it gives the GL quite remarkable pace. Pin the accelerator to the floor and the GL 420 CDI will reach 62mph in just 7.6 seconds from a standstill. It feels even more brisk through its seven gears, the smooth auto seemingly always picking the right gear to exploit the engine's ample thrust. Only very occasionally in traffic is the automatic confused a little, which can result in jerky progress. The engine is refined too and when you do hear it the noise is pleasing in a V8 fashion rather than a diesely one.

Ride & Handling: star star star star star

With standard Airmatic suspension the GL can be everything for anybody. Firm it up with the Sport setting and the GL reveals remarkable agility, its relatively narrow stance meaning it's not too scary on UK's width restricted roads. Impressive as that Sport setting is it does result in some unwanted crashing from the suspension around town. For the ultimate in-town comfort and speed bump smoothing ability the Comfort setting is the way to go. You lose some of the GL's fine body control as a result, but a more wobbly body is a small compromise for the supple, road smoothing result it brings. It's limo-cosseting in Comfort.

The steering lacks any real feel but it's weighty, while the brakes never give anything less than huge stopping ability - just as well in something so big and heavy. Feeling wieldier on the road than its Range Rover rival - and no-doubt just as capable off it - the GL is an enormously impressive machine.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money: star star star star star

In standard guise the GL weighs in at £64,000. Add the extra kit that came on our test car and you're looking at nearly £70,000. At this price level it's a bit of a shame to see that the powered tailgate is optional, as are rear side airbags. We'd demand both from the dealer gratis if we were signing an order form for one.

It's never going to be cheap running a big 4x4, the 4.0-litre turbodiesel's economy figure of 24.4mpg unlikely to be a number you ever see on the trip computer. It'll be cheaper than a petrol-engined alternative, but only marginally so.

Overall: star star star star star

A spacious, seven-seat alternative to both the archetypal Range Rover and luxury saloons, the GL is a hugely imposing and appealing practical luxury car. You'll need a massive driveway to park it on, but its length does mean it's a very practical choice for those wealthy enough to afford it. It drives better than the Range Rover alternative too, feeling remarkably agile for something so big and heavy. We'd have one in this 420 CDI guise, if only to experience the way the 4.0-litre V8 turbodiesel can slingshot this massive machine down the road with such ease.

Kyle Fortune - 15 Apr 2009



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2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class specifications: (420 CDI)
Price: £64,865 on-the-road (test car fitted with optional extras).
0-62mph: 7.6 seconds
Top speed: 143mph
Combined economy: 24.4mpg
Emissions: 307g/km
Kerb weight: 2585kg

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.



2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 






 

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