Autoblog

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC

Michael Harley — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Mercedes-Benz, Diesel, Quick Spins

Full-size, seven-passenger sport utility vehicles don't get much better than this. Fresh off a complete second-generation redesign, the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC is the oil-burning variant - and the entry-level model - in the automaker's GL-Class lineup. A luxury SUV with an efficient diesel engine screams "Roadtrip!" - so I loaded up my family of four and headed north up famed California State Route 1 to Hearst Castle for the day. The well-isolated GL proved every bit as spectacular as newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst's "ranch" on the hill, seemingly determined to justify its recent accolade.

Driving Notes

The heart of the GL350 BlueTEC is a 3.0-liter four-valve direct-injected turbocharged diesel engine rated at 240 horsepower, but delivering a whopping 455 pound-feet from as low as 1,600 rpm. There is a bit of turbo lag off the line, especially when rushed, but the standard seven-speed automatic does an admirable job hustling the 5,467-pound vehicle to 60 mph in under eight seconds. In real-world driving conditions, the torque makes it feel quicker than that.
Fuel economy was impressive for its size. The EPA rates the big BlueTEC at 19 mpg city, and 26 mpg highway. During our 407-mile road trip, we averaged 25.3 mpg (including city cycles at both ends of the excursion). With a 26.4 gallon fuel tank, highway range is in excess of 650 bladder-bursting miles.
The GL350 BlueTEC can't claim outward visibility as its strength. We'd like to see larger exterior mirrors. Thankfully, a handful of useful (and very effective) electronic nannies and a 360-degree camera ease maneuvering. Despite its size, a tight 40.7-foot turning radius allows stress-free U-turns on most city streets. Excellent bi-xenon headlights, with Highbeam Assist and Active Curve Illumination take all fear out of night driving, too.
Driver and passenger enjoy heated, cooled and massaging sport seats that are more comfortable than your mother's loving arms. Second row passengers are treated nearly as well, provided their own HVAC controls with multiple air vents. The third row has always been a GL-Class strength, and it will easily accommodate full-size occupants without a murmur of protest.
Distronic Plus is pricey ($2,800), but for this driver, it's a must-have option. The autonomous radar-based adaptive cruise control scans the road up to 600 feet ahead, allowing the GL350 to automatically follow, accelerate and decelerate with other traffic (it will even come to a complete stop). Better yet, it's bundled with Pre-Safe Brake, Active Lane Keep Assist and Active helping to prevent rear-end collisions. The geek in me really liked how it displayed the distance to the vehicle I was trailing in real time.
My list of gripes was small, but worthy of a mention. First, the iPhone interface plug is too big to fit devices with protective cases. Second, the electronic parking brake isn't intuitive (push down to set, lift to release). Third, the round volume control button in the center console is too small for large fingers. Lastly, the passenger step-in height is a bit too high for those who are... um, vertically challenged.

Even though the GL350 BlueTEC is the least expensive model in Benz's GL-Class, its base price of $62,400 (plus $905 destination) swelled to an as-tested price of $87,500 on our well-optioned tester. What just may be the world's best seven-passenger sport utility vehicle doesn't come cheap - good things never do.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is the S-Class of SUVs

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:10:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, SUV, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Everything has been thrown at the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class to make it not only the largest SUV Mercedes offers, but the equivalent of a jacked-up S-Class. It grows by an inch in length and gets fractionally wider and taller, with the extra size providing more head, shoulder and elbow room for all three rows of passengers. It is also loaded with new standard features like a "photo quality" color instrument display, self-leveling air suspension, Collision Prevention Assist and Crosswind Stabilization.

Three flavors are available: the V6 GL350 BlueTec, and the two twin-turbo V8s in the GL450 and GL550, each with more power than before. The GL350 gets 240 horsepower and 455 pound-feet, up 30 hp and 55 lb-ft; the GL450 returns 362 hp and 406 lb-ft, a raise of 27 hp and 67 lb-ft; the kingly GL550 turns out 429 hp and 516 lb-ft, up by 47 hp and a not-inconsequential 127 lb-ft.

Of course, being Mercedes, the options list has expanded, too, with details such as the On- and Off-Road Package and Active Curve System to help you maintain steady control of the beast no matter the surroundings. Have a look at the press release below for all the details, and take a glance at it in the gallery of high-res photos above.

Continue reading 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is the S-Class of SUVs

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is the S-Class of SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class breaks cover ahead of NY debut

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, SUV, Mercedes-Benz

The New York Auto Show is right around the corner, so let the embargo-break-a-palooza begin. Ahead of its official unveiling later this week, a few images of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class have leaked onto the web, and if you're familiar with Merc's new design language, the updates to the big GL will come as no surprise.

Up front, the new headlamp design seen on the SLK and SL has translated to the GL, complete with LED running lamps flanking each side above large air intakes. The design almost looks AMG-like, and while we never truly warmed to the design of the current GL, we like the looks of this 2013 model. The interior design hasn't changed too much, though we're sure that nicer materials and more up-to-date tech are on tap.

As of this writing, no official powertrain details have been released, though we don't expect them to change a great deal from the current model. We'll likely see a GL350 Bluetec model fitted with the delicious 3.0-liter diesel V6, as well as a GL550 with Merc's new twin-turbocharged 4.6-liter V8 underhood. Seven-speed automatics will surely be offered with either engine, and all of the power will be sent to the ground via 4Matic all-wheel drive.

We'll have the full suite of official details and images later this week, as well as live impressions direct from the New York show. Stay tuned.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class breaks cover ahead of NY debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec lives large, treads lightly

Michael Harley — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Mercedes-Benz, New Car Reviews, Diesel

2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Drop the term "Big Benz" in conversation and most people assume you're talking about the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. While the full-size flagship sedan has - deservedly - earned that moniker over the years, when it comes to sheer size and volume, the GL-Class is truly Benz' behemoth. But don't take that as a negative. The GL350 Bluetec, the automaker's diesel-powered variant of its seven-passenger full-size sport utility vehicle, has plenty going for it. Under the hood is a torque-laden, fuel-efficient diesel, and after a week pulling family duty, we emerged impressed. Find out why after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC

Continue reading Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec lives large, treads lightly

Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec lives large, treads lightly originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments