2012 Mercedes Benz GL: Video Road Test & Review

The Mercedes-Benz GL is the largest SUV offered by the German luxury company, and it takes square aim at the full-size premium offerings built by Detroit stalwarts such as Cadillac and Lincoln.  The Mercedes-Benz GL provides three rows of seating that can accommodate up to seven passengers, and cargo space inside the large sport-utility vehicle is also generous, checking in at 83 cubic feet.  Side airbags for the first and second row are standard, as are forward airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag.  Electronic stability control, traction control, hill descent control and hill start assist round out the vehicle's safety systems, along with the mbrace telematics feature.

The Mercedes-Benz GL Is offered with three different engine choices.  Base models (GL350 Bluetec) start out with a 3.0-liter, turbodiesel V-6 that provides 210 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, along with fuel mileage figures of 17-mpg city and 21-mpg highway.  The 4.7-liter V-8 found between the front fenders of the GL450 churns out 335 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque and returns fuel economy of 13-mpg around town and 18-mpg highway, while the GL550's 5.5-liter V-8 is rated at 382 horses and 391 lb-ft of twist.  Fuel mileage for the GL550 is one mile per gallon less than that of the GL450 for each respective figure.  The trio of GL models each come with a seven-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

The Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec (MSRP $61,570) and the GL450 (MSRP $62,570) are both outfitted with an almost identical level of equipment: a sunroof, dual automatic climate control, heated imitation leather seats, Bluetooth connectivity, an air suspension system, a CD player,  LED running lights and the COMAND vehicle interface.  The GL550 comes with a rearview camera, a power tailgate, a navigation system, a surround sound audio system, adaptive HID headlights, genuine leather seats, an iPod interface and a number of other amenities.  Most of the GL550's equipment can also be ordered with the GL350 and the GL450 through the Premium 1, Premium 2, Full Leather, and Lighting packages.

A list of cars similar to the GL includes the 2013 Lexus LX 570, 2013 Cadillac Escallade and 2012 Infiniti QX56.

See more deatails about the 2012 Mercedes Benz GL.