2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

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Rating8.3

Ranked #2 in 

Fullsize SUV
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$61,570 - $85,300
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Roomy cabin with a roomy and usable third-row

Rivals are much more engaging to drive

Standard LED DRLs

Capable powertrains and strong brakes

Steering isn't much communicative

Upscale and comfortable cabin

The outdated and unintuitive infotainment interface

Specs & Features

$61,570

price

210 hp @ 3800 rpm

horsepower

400 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

torque

7-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.0L 6cyl AWD 7A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Competing in the fullsize SUV, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV goes up against other notable names in the class, like the Cadillac Escalade, the Lincoln Navigator, and also the Audi Q7 which belongs to the midsize SUV segment. Spread across 2 trims, the GL-Class starts off at a base price of MSRP $62,570 and carries on to $85,300. Not all trims are built equal, however, as there are 2 powertrains on offer. The standard engine is a 4.7L V8 rated for 335 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. With this engine, the GL-Class gives you a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds. The GL550 trim is powered by a 5.5L V8 engine that produces a stronger 382 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. A 7-speed automatic transmission is offered alongside both engines. You can also equip the GL-Class with a diesel engine which has an engine output of 210 horsepower.

Buying Advice

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV is a fast and luxurious SUV offered in multiple trims. We recommend getting the base GL450 trim that offers a strong and efficient engine under the hood compared to the higher-end GL 550 trim.

Trims

    350
    $61,570 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl AWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 210 hp @ 3800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 400 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 9.98 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 19 mpg
    450
    $62,570 onwards
    • Engine: 4.7L 8cyl AWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 335 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 339 lb.-ft. @ 2700 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.87 sec
    • Top Speed: 135 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 15 mpg
    550
    $85,300 onwards
    • Engine: 5.5L 8cyl AWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 382 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 391 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.4 sec
    • Top Speed: 165 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 14 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$61,570- $85,300

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.27

Horsepower

382 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

400 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

Capacity

7

Read Review

$63,170- $82,495

Gasoline

7.55

403 hp @ 5700 rpm

417 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

7

Read Review

$36,530- $52,330

Gasoline

7.47

310 hp @ 5100 rpm

365 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

5

Read Review

$60,000- $63,100

Gasoline

7.76

400 hp @ 5800 rpm

413 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

7

Read Review

$79,425- $94,820

Gasoline

8.08

385 hp @ 6500 rpm

375 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

$57,775- $62,840

Gasoline

6.72

310 hp @ 5100 rpm

365 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

8

Read Review

$43,375- $58,595

Gasoline

8.01

280 hp @ 6200 rpm

265 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

5

Read Review

2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6.87 sec16.5 sec135 mph
    6.5 sec15.0 sec131 mph
    6.7 sec15.3 sec142 mph
    7 sec14.6 sec148 mph
    7.3 sec15.4 sec-
    7.7 sec16.0 sec120 mph

    2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      13 mpg18 mpg15 mpg26.4 gal.343.2/475.2 mi.
      16 mpg23 mpg19 mpg26.4 gal.422.4/607.2 mi.
      14 mpg20 mpg16 mpg28 gal.392/560 mi.
      14 mpg20 mpg16 mpg26 gal.364/520 mi.
      14 mpg20 mpg16 mpg28 gal.392/560 mi.
      14 mpg18 mpg16 mpg26 gal.364/468 mi.

      2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        200.7 in.78.3 in.72.4 in.7.9 in.121.1 in.

        2012 Cadillac Escalade ESV

        Ranked #1

        222.9 in.79 in.75.9 in.9 in.116 in.

        2012 Ford Expedition EL

        Ranked #2

        221.3 in.78.8 in.77.2 in.8.7 in.119 in.
        208.4 in.78.8 in.78.3 in.9.2 in.119 in.
        208.3 in.79.9 in.75.8 in.9.2 in.121.1 in.
        206.5 in.78.8 in.77.2 in.8.7 in.119 in.

        2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          14.3 cu.ft.143 cu.ft.83.3 cu.ft.
          18.1 cu.ft.-103.3 cu.ft.
          16.6 cu.ft.80.2 cu.ft.95.1 cu.ft.
          55 cu.ft.94 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.
          35.1 cu.ft.-74.1 cu.ft.
          32.1 cu.ft.101.4 cu.ft.64 cu.ft.

          2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            52.8 cu.ft.14.3 cu.ft.83.3 cu.ft.66 ft.
            103.3 cu.ft.18.1 cu.ft.103.3 cu.ft.-
            78.3 cu.ft.35.1 cu.ft.74.1 cu.ft.-
            15.7 cu.ft.16.9 cu.ft.15.5 cu.ft.-
            64 cu.ft.32.1 cu.ft.64 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.55 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.-

            2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              7500 lbs.1599 lbs.5346 lbs.
              9200 lbs.1751 lbs.5549 lbs.
              9000 lbs.1620 lbs.5818 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1710 lbs.5590 lbs.
              8300 lbs.1612 lbs.5488 lbs.
              7700 lbs.1287 lbs.4711 lbs.

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