2013 Mercedes-Benz GL 500 BlueEfficiency Review
2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-CLASS REVIEW
Vehicle Style: Seven-seat luxury SUV
Price: $154,900 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 320kW/700Nm 8cyl petrol turbol | 7spd auto
Fuel Economy listed: 11.5 l/100km | tested: 15.6 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Benz’s luxurious leviathan GL-Class SUV got a makeover earlier this year. Alongside new sheetmetal and the arrival of the muscle-bound GL 63 variant, the gadget count also got a boost for 2013.
We climbed up (literally) into the driver’s seat of the GL 500 BlueEfficiency and spent a week behind its leather-bound wheel. Surprisingly, despite this correspondent’s inherent dislike of SUVs, the GL 500 actually endeared itself greatly.
Big power, effortless cruising, a comfy ride and more space than an aircraft hanger are all hallmarks of the GL 500.
As a luxury wagon for well-to-do families, it makes plenty of sense.
INTERIOR | RATING: 4.5/5
Quality: The inside of the GL 500 is best described as “cavernous”. Not just because of its sheer size, but because everything feels like it has been hewn from rock.
Build quality is exceptional. Nothing rattles, fit and finish is superb and most key contact points are lavishly upholstered in soft leather.
The switchgear has been updated too, and even the insides of the glovebox and centre console box are flocked to stop your odds and ends from sliding about.
Comfort: The front seats are huge, supportive and offer an exceptional range of adjustment.
Having integrated seat-heaters and a massage function also helps their appeal (to the extent that we found it difficult to leave the comfort of the GL 500 after engaging 'park' in the driveway).
The second row seats are just as accommodating, and outboard passengers in the second row also get heated seats.
Separate ventilation controls are provided for second-row occupants too, but for us the real highlight was the third row.
Not only do the two third-row seats rise independently out of the boot floor at the press of a button, but they’re spacious, supportive and comfortable enough for any moderately-sized adult.