Mercedes GL-Class AMG

Mercedes GL-Class AMG (2012–2016) Overview: Specs and Buying Guide

Overview of the Mercedes GL-Class AMG, a 5-door SUV built from 2012 to 2016 with a 557 hp 5.5-liter engine, automatic transmission and 4x4 drive.

The Mercedes GL-Class AMG is a 5-door SUV produced from 2012 to 2016 with a single power output of 557 hp. It pairs a 5.5-liter engine with an automatic transmission and 4x4 drive, suiting drivers who want a full-size family SUV with sports-car acceleration — 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h in a vehicle of this class.

Mercedes GL-Class AMG generations

1 generation (2012–2016)

The first and only generation of the Mercedes GL-Class AMG was built from 2012 to 2016 exclusively as a 5-door SUV. Every car came with the same drivetrain: a 5461 cc engine producing 557 hp, an automatic gearbox and permanent 4x4. The lineup contains just one modification, the 5.5 AT, so there are no weaker or stronger versions to compare within the range.

The 5.5 AT (1 generation) accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and has a claimed fuel consumption of 12.3 l/100km — a notably restrained figure for a 557 hp SUV, though real-world use of a heavy 4x4 with this much power will depend on driving style.

Which Mercedes GL-Class AMG to buy

• 5.5 AT (1 generation): the only modification offered, with 557 hp from its 5461 cc engine, 0–100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and 12.3 l/100km claimed consumption.

Buying used is straightforward in one respect: with a single generation (2012–2016) and a single modification, every Mercedes GL-Class AMG on the market has the same 557 hp drivetrain, so there is no risk of picking the wrong version — the choice comes down to the condition and history of the specific car. The newest examples are from 2016, so any car you find is now at least a decade old, which makes a thorough inspection of the individual vehicle more important than the model year itself.

Summary

The Mercedes GL-Class AMG occupies a narrow, clearly defined niche: a 2012–2016 5-door SUV with 557 hp, automatic transmission and 4x4 as the only configuration. The 5.5 AT (1 generation) delivers 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h, and since the range has exactly one modification, comparing trims is unnecessary — the model is the modification. For buyers who want maximum performance in a full-size Mercedes SUV of that era, this is the definitive choice; for those who do not need 557 hp, the standard GL-Class range is where to look instead.