by Steve Schutz, MD
As Mercedes ventured into more market segments over the past decade, it was perhaps inevitable that they’d develop a full-size SUV. After all, Lexus has had the LX since 1996, Lincoln introduced the Navigator in 1998, and Cadillac came out with the Escalade in 1999. In fact, the only manufacturer who’s arguably later to the party than Mercedes is Audi, with its seven-seat Q7 that just came out last spring.
Mercedes’ timing could have been better, though. Sales of big SUVs are slumping as fuel prices spike, and luxury buyers – a notoriously finicky bunch – seem to be migrating to crossovers and (back) to sedans. Still, there’s a market for these comfortable colossuses: in the first seven months of 2006 Lexus sold about 14,000 GX470s, and Cadillac moved more than 30,000 Escalades. Pretty good for a “dying” segment. Nevertheless, Mercedes is hedging its bets with the GL by basing it on the existing ML/R-Class platform and planning a diesel option, effectively minimizing both development costs and fuel mileage concerns.
It helps that the GL has other pluses. Designed as a “big mid-size” SUV, the GL appeals to luxury-minded families who need third row seating but prefer to avoid vehicles in the Navigator/Escalade class.
The third seat in these vehicles is a big deal. The average U.S. family these days has fewer than three children, but those kids have friends who need rides periodically, so extra seats are very handy. This is nothing new – when I was growing up I recall many rides in the “way back” of station wagons. The difference now is that moms (and dads) want seven-passenger capability with equal safety for all.
Oh, it shouldn’t be a minivan, either. The GL450, which combines the spacious interior of the minivan-like R-class with the SUV abilities of the M-class, includes standard third-row seats, but they’re power-operated and are completely safe, which certainly wasn’t the case in the old-school station wagons of my youth.
To test its utility, I took a long trip along the Pacific coast in the GL with my wife and three boys and found it to be just about perfect, space-wise. My kids spread out two in the back and one in the way back, and I placed our luggage next to and behind the third row seat we were using. There was plenty of space and everyone was comfortable. By the way, while completely unnecessary, moving the third seat up and down electronically is very pleasant and I got used to it rapidly.
I got used to the other luxury touches too. Sumptuous accommodations for all passengers abound, from heated and powered front seats, eight airbags, plenty of bird's eye maple trim, the aforementioned powered 50/50-split third-row seating, eight-speaker audio, and a multi-function steering wheel. The front seats, in particular, are exceptionally comfortable and well-bolstered, something I appreciated on the long drive I took with my family. And the rear seats met with approval from my discerning sons who are used to riding in press cars.
Despite providing comfortable accommodations for seven passengers and their gear, the GL450 manages not to look like a land yacht thanks to an attractive form-follows-function design. From the front, the GL closely resembles the ML on which it’s based, but from the side it’s decidedly squarer. While the new ML is more Lexus RX-ish than I’d like it to be and the RL is too minivan-like, the GL hits all the right visual chords for me. Well done, Mercedes.
For now, an all-new 4.6-liter gasoline engine is the only power plant available for the all-wheel-drive GL450. Based on the slightly larger V-8 just introduced in the S550 sedan, the GL’s motor produces a robust 335 HP sent to all four wheels via a smooth seven-speed automatic transmission. In practice, this combination works very well. The GL450 pulls strongly from rest or while passing, and feels significantly faster than the Lexus GX470 in all driving situations.
If fuel prices have you down, you may want to consider waiting for the new 50-state 3.0-liter “Bluetec” V-6 turbodiesel arriving later on this year. That GL, to be called the GL320 CDi, promises much better fuel efficiency and equivalent drivability.
The (rare) SUV buyer who actually ventures off paved surfaces will be pleased to note that a serious 4x4 off-road option with skid plates, low gearing, and two locking differentials is available. In addition, an optional 7,500-pound Class IV towing package may be selected if you need to tow a heavy trailer or boat.
After a week with the new GL, I can say it’s a worthy competitor in the full-size luxury SUV market. It may be hitting showrooms later than other similar vehicles, but it looks good, drives great, and has Mercedes cachet. If you’re looking at an Escalade, Navigator, or Lexus GX/LX you owe it to yourself to give the GL450 a look see.
Next month: Lexus LS
