2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

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Rating7.4

Ranked #5 in 

Fullsize SUV
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$63,600 - $89,950
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Spacious cabin with a roomy and usable third-row

Rivals are much more fun to drive

New turbocharged V6 engine

Multiple capable powertrains and superb brakes

Steering isn't much communicative

Automatic engine start/stop feature

Upscale and excellent-quality cabin

Six-CD changer discontinued

Specs & Features

$63,600

price

240 hp @ 3600 rpm

horsepower

455 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 2015 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 segment. Spread across 2 trims, the GL-Class starts off at a base price of MSRP $65,200 and carries on to $89,950. Not all trims are built equal, however, as there are 2 powertrains on offer. The standard engine is a 3.0L turbocharged V6 rated for 362 horsepower and 369 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 4.6L twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces a stronger 429 horsepower and 516 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 240 horsepower.

Buying Advice

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV is a superfast SUV offered in multiple trims. We recommend getting the base GL450 trim that comes with the new strong yet efficient turbocharged V6 engine under the hood.

Trims

    350
    $63,600 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl AWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 240 hp @ 3600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 455 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.97 sec
    • Top Speed: 187 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 22 mpg
    450
    $65,200 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl AWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 362 hp @ 5000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 369 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.5 sec
    • Top Speed: 172 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 19 mpg
    550
    $89,950 onwards
    • Engine: 4.7L 8cyl AWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 429 hp @ 5250 rpm hp
    • Torque: 516 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.89 sec
    • Top Speed: 141 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 15 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$63,600- $89,950

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.4

Horsepower

429 hp @ 5250 rpm

Torque

516 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

Capacity

7

Read Review

$71,695- $91,875

Gasoline

7.18

420 hp @ 5600 rpm

460 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

8

Read Review

$40,170- $62,410

Gasoline

8.26

365 hp @ 5000 rpm

420 lb.-ft. @ 2250 rpm

8

Read Review

$63,250- $88,850

Gasoline

7.59

400 hp @ 5800 rpm

413 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

7

Read Review

$83,495- $186,495

Gasoline

8.32

340 hp @ 6500 rpm

332 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

$83,180

Gasoline

7.05

383 hp @ 5600 rpm

403 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

8

Read Review

$61,480- $67,220

Gasoline

7.2

380 hp @ 5250 rpm

420 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

5

Read Review

2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6.5 sec14.6 sec172 mph
    6.2 sec14.9 sec136 mph
    6.2 sec--
    6.2 sec14.7 sec-
    6.3 sec14.6 sec131 mph
    6.9 sec14.5 sec148 mph

    2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      17 mpg21 mpg19 mpg26.4 gal.448.8/554.4 mi.
      17 mpg23 mpg19 mpg22.5 gal.382.5/517.5 mi.
      16 mpg22 mpg18 mpg28 gal.448/616 mi.
      16 mpg22 mpg18 mpg28 gal.448/616 mi.
      15 mpg21 mpg17 mpg26 gal.390/546 mi.
      14 mpg20 mpg16 mpg26 gal.364/520 mi.

      2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        201.6 in.84.3 in.72.8 in.8.5 in.121.1 in.

        2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV

        Ranked #1

        224.3 in.80.5 in.74 in.9.3 in.130 in.

        2015 Ford Expedition EL

        Ranked #2

        220.8 in.78.8 in.77.7 in.8.3 in.131 in.
        208.3 in.79.9 in.75.8 in.9.2 in.121.1 in.
        207.4 in.78.8 in.78 in.8.4 in.131 in.
        206 in.78.8 in.77.2 in.8.3 in.119 in.

        2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          16 cu.ft.91.1 cu.ft.93.8 cu.ft.
          16.6 cu.ft.-95.1 cu.ft.
          15.5 cu.ft.-83.1 cu.ft.
          18.6 cu.ft.94 cu.ft.108.3 cu.ft.
          32.1 cu.ft.121 cu.ft.71.7 cu.ft.
          15.3 cu.ft.94.1 cu.ft.94.2 cu.ft.

          2015 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.16 cu.ft.93.8 cu.ft.66 ft.
            83.1 cu.ft.15.5 cu.ft.83.1 cu.ft.-
            15.7 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.94.2 cu.ft.-
            15.9 cu.ft.32.1 cu.ft.71.7 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.18.6 cu.ft.108.3 cu.ft.-
            95.1 cu.ft.16.6 cu.ft.95.1 cu.ft.-

            2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              7500 lbs.1794 lbs.5371 lbs.
              9200 lbs.1700 lbs.5600 lbs.
              9000 lbs.1560 lbs.5830 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1664 lbs.5633 lbs.
              8300 lbs.1506 lbs.5603 lbs.
              7716 lbs.2029 lbs.4918 lbs.

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