Fleetrates.com 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL550 MSRP $87,145 Selling at $85,375 Call 1-800-851-9000

July 8, 2010 - PRLog -- The ride comfort that befits a luxury SUV also puts the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class ahead of some of its major competitors, thanks to standard all-wheel drive, an independent rear suspension, and features such as electronic stability control.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class has three available engines. The base GL450 is powered by a 4.6-liter, 335-horsepower V8. The GL320 CDI is powered by a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine that makes 215 horsepower. The GL550 gets a powerful 5.5-liter V8 that makes 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission provides very smooth acceleration in all models, according to most reviewers. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the GL550 is expected to net 13 miles per gallon in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. The GL450 trim provides 13/18 city/highway. But buyers hoping to lessen any guilt over buying such a vehicle might consider opting for the diesel-powered GL320 CDI, which provides much better mileage -- 18/24 mpg city/highway.


Unlike some of the traditional luxury SUVs it competes against, the GL-Class is a crossover, and as such its car-based design leads to improved road manners and better interior packaging. Its ride is worthy of a luxury sedan, and though its handling is hardly up to Porsche Cayenne territory, the GL is nevertheless better than several of its truck-based competitors. And while it doesn't have as much cargo capacity as the Cadillac Escalade, for instance, its power fold-flat third-row seat makes transforming it from family hauler to stuff hauler that much easier.

No other luxury SUV provides the same balance of driving refinement and interior space as the 2010 Mercedes GL-Class. While some like the Audi Q7 or Range Rover models provide the former, they can't comfortably haul around seven adults. Meanwhile, models like the Escalade, Lincoln Navigator and Infiniti QX56 have the space but struggle to match the GL in terms of refinement.

Standard on the GL550 and optional on the other trims are the following packages. The Premium I package adds a power tailgate, power-folding mirrors, a rearview camera, driver memory functions, auto-dimming driver-side and interior mirrors, a hard-drive-based navigation system, voice controls, 4GB of digital music storage, HD radio, satellite radio, an iPod interface and a 115-volt AC power outlet. The Premium II package adds all the previous items, plus keyless ignition/entry and a Harman Kardon surround-sound system. The Full Leather Seating package adds leather upholstery, "comfort headrests" and ambient interior lighting. The Lighting package adds LED daytime running lights and adaptive bi-xenon headlights with washers. Parking sensors, running boards, ventilated front seats and tri-zone climate controls are options on the 350 and 450, and standard on the 550.

The GL550 further adds 21-inch AMG wheels, performance tires and a more aggressive-looking front fascia. Also standard are "multicontour" front seats with enhanced lumbar support, a massage feature and passenger memory functions.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL's cabin is comfortable and luxuriously appointed. Fit and finish is superb, the seats are exceptionally supportive and headroom and legroom are ample in nearly every position. However, even though the GL had its COMAND electronics interface upgraded last year, we've still found it finicky to use. It employs awkward push-buttons on a center-stack-mounted circular control pad instead of the preferred console-mounted control wheel used in more recently introduced Mercedes-Benz models.

The GL is one of the most spacious luxury crossovers on the market, as its third row is big enough to seat two average-sized adults in comfort -- something the Audi Q7 can't claim. The second row could use a sliding adjustment, however, to allow for more legroom in both the second and third rows. The GL provides 83 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume, which falls in below truck-based large SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade and Infiniti QX56.

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