Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC 5dr Car Review - July 2013

The 258bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine in the Mercedes GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC has a tough job in hauling round a car of considerable size and weight, but does so admirably producing 457lb-ft of torque at 1600-2400rpm. With a seven-speed automatic gearbox this is good for a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds, and a top speed of 137mph. The engine is refined and quiet, as is the ride which is comfortable and relaxing. The steering is a negative point however, feeling somewhat detached from the action. The driving position is good, as is the visibility, and helps add to the sense of occasion from being in command of such an imposing road-going liner. The man-made leather seats are comfortable and supportive, with plenty of adjustment available to ensure an optimum driving position. Off-road, the Mercedes GL is competent without being exceptional.

Despite its 4x4 proportions and body style, the Mercedes GL is a refined and stylish design with a premium feel. It merits its place in the Mercedes line up and looks like a more beefy and hirsute version of a luxury three-pointed star estate. That premium feel is more than just skin deep too, and the Mercedes-Benz GL comes equipped with an impressive list of standard kit. Power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front and rear windows, electric sunroof, metallic paint, cruise control, rear parking sensor, man-made leather seats, alarm, immobiliser, CD player with bluetooth and MP3 connectivity, and satellite navigation are all included on the list of standard equipment. For those with families, an extra £2035 will see a rear-seat entertainment system added to that list to keep the kids quiet on those longer journeys.

The Mercedes-Benz GL comes with a raft of safety features, including the ubiquitous stability control and a full compliment of airbags including driver, passenger, and front side protection. The interior feels a secure place to be, with the build-quality feeling reassuringly impressive. Reliability should not be an issue either, but the 3-year warranty covers an unlimited mileage period just in case. Practicality is impressive too, with ample room for three fully-grown adults in the middle row of seats, and even in the two rear seats for short journeys. Those rear seats do compromise luggage capacity when in situ, resulting in a boot space of just 295-litres, but once the rear seats have been folded flat that capacity grows considerably to a voluminous 2300-litres.

The £59,485 Mercedes GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC is, due to its size, never going to be cheap to run, but still returns a combined fuel economy return of 35.3mpg. CO2 emissions are 209g/km with the car falling into Road Tax Band K as a result. It won’t be cheap to insure either, falling into insurance group 49. Its price tag makes the Mercedes GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC almost £2,000 more expensive than a top-of-the-range Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Luxury. Running costs are broadly similar with the Land Rover returning a combined 32.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 230g/km. However, the Land Rover has the edge in off-road performance, and in terms of specification level too. It comes as standard with a rear seat entertainment, which would set you back over £2,000 on top of the purchase price of the Mercedes-Benz GL. Practicality is similar too, both boasting seven-seats and comparable luggage capacity. When you consider those facts, the Mercedes-Benz GL looks like an expensive option.