Some rivals travel longer distances on the highway
Luxurious interior with well-contoured seats
Specs & Features
$62,400
price
240 hp @ 3600 rpm
horsepower
455 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
torque
7-Speed Automatic
transmission
3.0L 6cyl AWD 7A
engine
-
basic warranty
Overview
Competing in the fullsize SUV, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV goes up against other notable names in the class, like the Cadillac Escalade SUV, the Lincoln Navigator SUV, and the Infiniti QX56 SUV. Spread across 2 trims, the GL-Class starts off at a base price of MSRP of $63,900 and carries on to $86,900. Not both trims are built equal, however, as there are 2 powertrains on offer. The standard engine is a 4.6L Twin-Turbo V8 rated for 362 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. With this engine, the GL-Class gives you a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 pounds. The same engine also puts out 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque in 550 trim. A 7-speed automatic transmission is offered alongside both engine outputs. You can also equip the GL-Class with a diesel engine which has an engine output of 240 horsepower.
Buying Advice
The base GL 450 trim with the lower output does 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds whereas the upper GL 550 trim with the higher output manages the task in 5.6 seconds. The GL 550 trim also comes equipped with a lot more features that are generally optional on the GL 450. That said, the selection is simple. If your priority is performance and the budget is loose then the GL 550 is a good choice. Otherwise, the less expensive GL 450 with the Driver Assistance Package and the Premium 1 Package is not a deal to bring home either.
