Mercedes GL-Class

Mercedes GL-Class

There is no third body type and no version with a gearbox other than Automatic in this catalogue.

1 generation ran from 2006-01-01 to 2009-05-31 as SUV 5-doors with 6 versions: two GL320CDI 3.0 AT diesels (211 hp and 224 hp), GL420CDI 4.0 AT (306 hp), GL450 4.7 AT (340 hp), and two GL500 5.5 AT gasoline engines (382 hp and 388 hp). All six use AWD and Automatic 7. Ground clearance is 200 mm on five of the six versions and 300 mm on GL320CDI 3.0 AT 224 hp. Fuel tank is 100 L on every version. Wheel size is not measured on every version.

1 generation, restyling ran from 2009-06-01 to 2013-01-31, still SUV 5-doors, with 7 versions. Names that continue from the first block keep the same catalogue strings: GL320CDI 3.0 AT (211 hp and 224 hp), GL420CDI 4.0 AT (306 hp), GL450 4.7 AT (340 hp), GL500 5.5 AT (382 hp and 388 hp), plus GL350CDI 3.0 AT (265 hp), which is not in the pre-restyle list. All seven are AWD, Automatic, 7. Tank remains 100 L. Wheel size is not measured. Ground clearance is 200 mm on five versions and 300 mm on GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp and GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp.

2 generation ran from 2012-04-01 to 2017-01-31 as SUV 5-doors with 8 versions: two GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT diesels (249 hp and 240 hp), GL350d 3.0 AT (258 hp), GL420d 4.0 AT (306 hp), GL400 3.0 AT (333 hp, Gasoline), GL450 4.7 AT (367 hp), and two GL500 4.7 AT gasoline engines (455 hp and 435 hp). Overlap with the restyling calendar is in the data: both 1 generation, restyling (to 2013-01-31) and 2 generation (from 2012-04-01) are listed. All eight are AWD, Automatic, 7. Tank is 100 L. Wheel size is not measured.

There is no third body type and no version with a gearbox other than Automatic in this catalogue.

Engines and specs

Cylinders and layout are taken from the data: 6 or 8, V-shaped. Boost is Turbo or No. Engine placement, where measured, is Front, longitudinal. Fuel labels are Diesel, 95, 92, or 98. Injection, where measured, is Direct injection (direct) or Distributed injection (multi-point); otherwise not measured.

GL320CDI 3.0 AT 211 hp in 1 generation makes 540 Nm; the same name at 211 hp in 1 generation, restyling makes 510 Nm (30 Nm less). GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp in 1 generation uses fuel 98 and boost No; the same name in restyling uses fuel 95 and boost No. In 2 generation GL450 4.7 AT is 367 hp, 551 Nm, boost Turbo, fuel 95. GL500 changes name and displacement: GL500 5.5 AT is 5461 cc in both first-generation blocks; GL500 4.7 AT is 4663 cc in 2 generation.

Engine placement is Front, longitudinal on all 1 generation versions and all 2 generation versions. On 1 generation, restyling it is Front, longitudinal for GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp and GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp, and not measured for GL500 5.5 AT 382 hp, both GL320CDI 3.0 AT versions, GL420CDI 4.0 AT, and GL350CDI 3.0 AT.

Valves per cylinder are 4 on every version. Compression ratio is 16.5 on GL320CDI 3.0 AT 211 hp (1 generation) and 17.7 on GL320CDI 3.0 AT 224 hp (1 generation and restyling) and on GL350CDI 3.0 AT. GL420CDI 4.0 AT and GL420d 4.0 AT share compression 17. Gasoline GL450 / GL500 5.5 AT versions with a measured ratio use 10.7; 2 generation GL450 4.7 AT 367 hp and GL400 3.0 AT use 10.5. Compression is not measured on both GL500 4.7 AT versions. Bore × stroke is 83 × 92 on several 2987 cc diesels, 86 × 86 on the 3996 cc diesels, 92.9 × 86 on several 4663 cc engines, 98 × 90.5 on 5461 cc GL500 5.5 AT; it is not measured on GL320CDI 3.0 AT 211 hp restyling, GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT 249 hp, GL350d 3.0 AT, GL400 3.0 AT, and both GL500 4.7 AT versions.

Eco class, where measured: Euro 5 on GL320CDI 3.0 AT 224 hp (1 generation), GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp restyling, GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp restyling, and GL400 3.0 AT; Euro 6 only on GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT 249 hp; Euro 4 on the remaining versions that have a label. Eco class is not measured on GL320CDI 3.0 AT 211 hp (1 generation) and GL450 4.7 AT 367 hp (2 generation).

Performance and economy (0-100, top speed, mpg)

0–100 km/h. Fastest measured times in this catalogue are 5.4 s on both GL500 4.7 AT versions (455 hp and 435 hp). Next: GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp at 6.5 s (1 generation and restyling), GL450 4.7 AT 367 hp at 6.6 s, GL400 3.0 AT at 6.7 s, GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp at 7.2 s. GL420CDI 4.0 AT and GL420d 4.0 AT are 7.6 s. GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT (both), GL350d 3.0 AT, and GL350CDI 3.0 AT are 7.9 s. Slowest measured: 9.5 s on both GL320CDI 3.0 AT outputs in both first-generation blocks. Not measured: GL500 5.5 AT 382 hp in 1 generation and in 1 generation, restyling.

Top speed. Highest measured is 250 km/h on GL500 4.7 AT 435 hp. 240 km/h: GL500 4.7 AT 455 hp, GL400 3.0 AT, GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp (both first-generation blocks). 235 km/h: GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp (both). 230 km/h: GL420CDI 4.0 AT and GL420d 4.0 AT. 225 km/h: GL350CDI 3.0 AT. 220 km/h: both GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT and GL350d 3.0 AT. 210 km/h: both GL320CDI 3.0 AT outputs in both first-generation blocks. 209 km/h: GL450 4.7 AT 367 hp — 26 km/h below the 340 hp first-generation GL450 4.7 AT. Not measured: GL500 5.5 AT 382 hp in 1 generation and restyling.

Fuel consumption (L/100 km) and CO2. Combined figures, lowest measured: 8 L/100 km on both GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT versions and on GL350d 3.0 AT (city 8.9, highway 7.5). GL350CDI 3.0 AT: city 11.1, highway 7.6, combined 8.9. GL400 3.0 AT: city 11.8, highway 8.3, combined 9.6. GL320CDI 3.0 AT 224 hp (1 generation and restyling): city 12.5, highway 8, combined 9.8. GL320CDI 3.0 AT 211 hp restyling: city 12, highway 8.2, combined 9.6. GL320CDI 3.0 AT 211 hp (1 generation): city 13.8, highway 10.2, combined 12.4 — 2.8 L/100 km more combined than the restyling 211 hp car. GL420CDI 4.0 AT (both first-generation blocks): city 15.6, highway 9.2, combined 11.3. GL420d 4.0 AT: city 16, highway 9.4, combined 11.8. Both GL500 4.7 AT versions: city 14.8, highway 9.6, combined 11.5. GL450 4.7 AT 367 hp: city 16.8, highway 12.4, combined 14.7 — the highest combined figure in the table. GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp restyling: combined 13.1; 1 generation GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp: combined 13.3. GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp: city 18.4, highway 10.4, combined 13.3. Not measured for city, highway, and combined: GL500 5.5 AT 382 hp in 1 generation and restyling.

CO2, where measured: 192 g/km GL350d 3.0 AT; 209 GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT 249 hp; 225 GL400 3.0 AT; 235 GL350CDI 3.0 AT; 239 GL320CDI 3.0 AT 224 hp (1 generation); 262 both GL500 4.7 AT; 312 GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp restyling; 317 GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp restyling. CO2 is not measured on the remaining versions, including GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT 240 hp and GL420d 4.0 AT.

This catalogue has no reliability scores, problem lists, oil-spec tables, or prices.

Dimensions and weight

Length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured for any GL-Class version in this data. Wheel size is not measured on all 21 versions. Fuel tank is 100 L on all 21 versions.

Ground clearance. 200 mm is the usual figure. 300 mm appears on GL320CDI 3.0 AT 224 hp (1 generation), GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp (restyling), and GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp (restyling). 216 mm on GL450 4.7 AT 367 hp (2 generation). Not measured on GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT 249 hp.

Kerb weight. Lightest measured: 2360 kg GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp (1 generation). Then 2375 kg GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp (1 generation), 2380 kg GL320CDI 3.0 AT 224 hp (1 generation and restyling), 2410 kg GL320CDI 3.0 AT 211 hp (1 generation), 2425 kg GL400 3.0 AT, 2430 kg GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp restyling and GL350CDI 3.0 AT, 2445 kg both GL500 4.7 AT and GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp restyling, 2450 kg GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT 240 hp, GL350d 3.0 AT, GL450 4.7 AT 367 hp, GL320CDI 3.0 AT 211 hp restyling, 2455 kg GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT 249 hp. Heaviest: 2550 kg GL420CDI 4.0 AT (both first-generation blocks), 2585 kg GL420d 4.0 AT — 135 kg above the 2 generation GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT 249 hp. Not measured: GL500 5.5 AT 382 hp in 1 generation and restyling.

Gross weight. 3150 kg on GL320CDI 3.0 AT 211 hp (1 generation), GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT 240 hp, GL350d 3.0 AT, GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp restyling, GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp restyling. 3250 kg on most other measured versions, including both GL420 diesels, both GL500 4.7 AT, GL450 4.7 AT 367 hp and 340 hp (1 generation), and GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT 249 hp. Not measured: GL400 3.0 AT and GL500 5.5 AT 382 hp (both first-generation blocks).

Front suspension is Independent, pneumatic on every version. Rear suspension is Independent, pneumatic on all 1 generation and restyling versions and on 2 generation GL500 4.7 AT (both), GL350d 3.0 AT, and GL400 3.0 AT; it is Independent, spring on 2 generation GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT (both), GL420d 4.0 AT, and GL450 4.7 AT 367 hp. Front brakes are Ventilated disc on every version. Rear brakes are Disc ventilated except Disc on 1 generation GL320CDI 3.0 AT 224 hp, GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp, and GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp.

Which version to choose

All 21 versions are AWD Automatic 7. The split is engine, output, and the measured consumption and mass figures.

For the lowest measured combined consumption, the 2 generation diesels GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT 249 hp, GL350BlueTEC 3.0 AT 240 hp, and GL350d 3.0 AT share 8 L/100 km, 7.9 s, 220 km/h. They differ by 9 hp (249 vs 240), 3 Nm (620 vs 617), eco class (Euro 6 vs Euro 4 vs Euro 4), CO2 (209 vs not measured vs 192), kerb (2455 / 2450 / 2450 kg), gross (3250 / 3150 / 3150 kg), and rear suspension (Independent, spring on both BlueTEC, Independent, pneumatic on GL350d 3.0 AT). GL350CDI 3.0 AT (restyling) is the strongest 2987 cc diesel at 265 hp and 620 Nm, 7.9 s, 225 km/h, combined 8.9.

GL320CDI 3.0 AT is the slowest measured diesel family: 9.5 s and 210 km/h at both 211 hp and 224 hp. Choose 224 hp over 211 hp for 13 hp; torque is 510 Nm on 224 hp versus 540 Nm on 1 generation 211 hp and 510 Nm on restyling 211 hp. Combined use is 9.8 (224 hp) versus 12.4 (1 generation 211 hp) versus 9.6 (restyling 211 hp).

GL420CDI 4.0 AT and GL420d 4.0 AT are the same 306 hp / 700 Nm / 3996 cc / 7.6 s / 230 km/h package. The 2 generation GL420d 4.0 AT is 35 kg heavier at the kerb (2585 vs 2550) and uses 0.5 L/100 km more combined (11.8 vs 11.3).

For gasoline without Turbo, stay in 1 generation / restyling: GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp (7.2 s, 235 km/h) or GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp (6.5 s, 240 km/h, 5461 cc). GL500 5.5 AT 382 hp has not measured 0–100, top speed, consumption, and kerb weight in both first-generation blocks; GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp is the version with a full measured set. Fuel label is 98 on 1 generation GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp and GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp, 92 on both 382 hp GL500 5.5 AT, and 95 on restyling GL450 4.7 AT 340 hp and restyling GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp.

For gasoline with Turbo and Direct injection (direct), 2 generation: GL400 3.0 AT is the only 6-cylinder gasoline (333 hp, 480 Nm, 2996 cc, 6.7 s, 240 km/h, combined 9.6 — the lowest combined among gasoline versions). GL450 4.7 AT 367 hp adds 34 hp versus the 340 hp car but is 0.6 s quicker (6.6 vs 7.2) with a lower top speed (209 vs 235) and higher combined use (14.7 vs 13.1/13.3). GL500 4.7 AT 455 hp and GL500 4.7 AT 435 hp share 5.4 s; the 455 hp car has 20 more hp and 13 more Nm (713 vs 700) and 240 km/h versus 250 km/h on 435 hp. Combined use is 11.5 on both, 3.2 L/100 km below GL450 4.7 AT 367 hp.

If the only requirement is maximum measured horsepower, GL500 4.7 AT 455 hp is 67 hp above GL500 5.5 AT 388 hp and 88 hp above GL450 4.7 AT 367 hp. If the only requirement is maximum measured torque, GL500 4.7 AT 455 hp at 713 Nm edges GL420CDI 4.0 AT / GL420d 4.0 AT / GL500 4.7 AT 435 hp at 700 Nm. If the only requirement is the lowest measured combined consumption among all fuels, the three 2 generation 3.0 diesels at 8 L/100 km are 1.6 L/100 km below GL400 3.0 AT.