Looking for that all stylish yet practical off road vehicle set to make you swoon? Look no further. What is particularly noteworthy about the 2011 Mercedes Benz GL 550 is that it sports a refreshed front grille and bumpers, including LED taillights and running lamps for daylight use. The 2011 Mercedes Benz GL review states Class gets an optional blind spot monitoring system. This great safety feature is very useful and helps in spotting a vehicle in the next lane.
Performance
All GL models comes with a 7 speed automatic and 4MATIC full time all wheel drive. Regardless of load the 2011 Mercedes Benz GL review shows that it employs air suspension for a nice comfortable ride on all surfaces. It has 24 or 32 valves EFI or SEFI turbo charged engine. Most models ranging from GL350 BlueTEC, GL 450 and GL 550 come equipped with either a V6 to V8 diesel/gas engines. The latest GL diesel accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 9 seconds.
Exterior & Interior
Just looking at the GL350 BlueTEC Sport Utility it has the following exterior features:
- Third row windows for driver and passenger
- Body color front and rear bumpers
- Day time running lights
- Power heated body color door mirrors for both driver and passenger
- Front fog lights
- Halogen headlights with projector beam lenses
- Luxury trim on all doors
- Remote control operation of opening rear windows
- Black paint
- Rear side windows on both driver and passenger side
- Rear window defroster
- Roof Rails
- Electric glass sunroof
- Intermittent windshield wipers
Then some note worthy interior features:
- Dual zone fully automatic climate control
- Anti-theft protection which includes anti lift
- Audio system with AM/FM radio, six CDs (reads MP3)
- Coming home device
- Compass
- Trip computer: includes average speed, fuel economy, current fuel economy and range for remaining fuel
- Cruise control
- Entertainment display screen located in front
- DVD/VCD
- Driver knee airbags
- Vehicle speed proportional power steering
- Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirror.
Safety features
The 2011 Mercedes Benz GL review features include stability control, antilock brakes. driver knee airbag, various other airbags and whiplash reducing head restraints fitted to all seven seats. What is also standard with all GL models is the rearview camera, parking sensors and blind spot warning system.
The Competition
The following two different brand vehicles do not compare too badly against the 2011 Mercedes GL Class: The Lincoln Navigator (MSRP $57,630; 14 city / 20 hwy) and the Lexus LX 570 (MSRP $79,455; 12 city / 18 hwy) are two vehicles that are worth looking at.
Pros & Cons
The 2011 GL review proofs to rise above the competition with its confident road manners and excellent quality build. Excellent V8 performance; quiet cabin; high standard of luxury; comfortable seating for all as well as a very fuel efficient diesel engine
The Mercedes Benz GL Class has non adjustable second row seats that prove to be one of the only real cons besides breathtaking high prices. All round the 2011 Mercedes Benz GL comes out tops
Overall Rating
81 out of 100
What others say:
“It drives with the feel of a smaller vehicle, but the interior space in the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is sizable enough for seven people seated in a 2-3-2 configuration, and a generous amount of their belongings.”Car Connection
“Steering is accurate and direct. The GL550, however, tends to tramline along channels in the road and can skitter sideways in bumpy corners, compromising the sure-footed security of the other GLs. In fast turns on smooth surfaces, the GL550 has tenacious grip and relatively little body lean, but all GLs stay flatter in corners than most large SUVs. One test GL450 had a mushy brake-pedal feel.”Consumer Guide
“This seven-passenger luxury SUV has a great deal of interior space, and the third-row seat is roomy enough for adults.”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports
“Classy and refined, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class rises above the competition with its confident road manners and excellent build quality. It is quite pricey, however.”Edmunds
“If you are torn between a need for passenger and cargo room and a want for refined driving dynamics and appearance, the Mercedes GL-Class could be the solution for your dilemma. Those looking for fuel economy in the full-size SUV class would do well to give the GL350 BlueTEC a serious look.”KBB
Specifications
| Vehicle Type: SUV | Base Price: $61,570.00 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: 26.4 gallons (100 liters) | MPG: 17 city / 21 hwy |
| Length: 200.7 in. (509.7 cm) | Wheel Base: 121.1 in. (307.5 cm) |
| Height: 72.4 in. (183.8 cm) | Width: 85.5 in. (217 cm) |
| Curb Weight: 5512 lbs (2500 kg) | Ground Clearance: 7.9 in. (20 cm) |
| Luggage Capacity: 14.3 cu ft | Maximum Seating: 7 people |
| Engine: 3.0L 24-valve DOHC V6 TurboDiesel | Compression Ratio: 16.5: 1 |
| Horsepower: 210 HP | Max RPM: 3400 RPM |
| Torque: 400 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm | Transmission: 7-Speed 4Matic |
| 0-60 mph: 9.1 Seconds | Max Towing Capacity: 7500 lbs (3402 kgs) |
| Option:GL450 4.6L V8 | MSRP: $62,570; MPG: 13 city / 18 hwy |
| Option:GL550 5.5L V8 | MSRP: $85,300; MPG: 12 city / 17 hwy |
