2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class

2013 Mercedes GL450 -- Hidden Gem in Big SUV's

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 5 Value Rating: 5

We purchased a low-mile CPO vehicle from Ft. Lauderdale Mercedes. The GL450 is a real deal compared to competing vehicles such as Lexus LX and GM Suburbans. Much nicer, better ride and more comfortable.

Tall guy, first Merecedes (GL 450)

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 4 Value Rating: 4

Wow. This is a whole different vehicle. I'm 6'4" (with somewhat longer torso), and I have chronic back and knee pain. I didn't get the upgraded multi-contoured seats, but the seats with the Premium Pkg are just fine. I just sit, adjust the height and tilt, adjust the lumbar, and FORGET MY BACK! (I.e., no pain) The stock side bolsters are also a blessing. Street bumps and uneven camber are virtually eliminated (again, happy back). The steering is buttery, with good turning radius for size of vehicle. Acceleration on this trim level is more than adequate, as it made my heart skip on the first drive. Higher trims could get downright scary. The BMWs: too cramped. Tried a 2011 LR4: too much body lean and no side-bolstering. The Touareg and Cayenne require lowering seat in favor of headroom...tilting pelvis and putting pressure on lower back. Buy used; let someone else pay the depreciation.

gl 450

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 4 Value Rating: 5

gl 450

Cheema

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 1 Safety Rating: 3 Technology Rating: 3 Value Rating: 2

Very poor material used; things started falling apart in the first week. Brakes were squeaking right away.I took it to dealership 7 times in first 4 months. Moldings were falling apart, and rear door molding started breaking apart in th first three months. The lever of the rear folding seat broke in first few weeks. Having driven a Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, the quality of this car was nowhere near that of those cars. Bought in Sept 2012 and sold after having driven for 14,000 miles in 2014

First non diesel since '95

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Rock solid SUV! It's the first vehicle my wife may admit is better than her audi Q7 tdi. The designo interior is amazing. I thought the radar guided cruise would be a joke, but I love it. With direct fuel injection and two turbos, my diesel days may well be over. 510pound-feet of torque wait at LOW rpm to effortlessly pull any load.

GL450 Electronics problems continue!!!!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 2 Reliability: 2 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 2

I have experienced seemingly unending electronic failure issues with only 5,000 miles on vehicle: Failure to go into sleep mode causing dead battery;towed to dealer 200 mi. away, MB refused to return to my location; When vehicle is locked, one door, although locked, causes alarm and will open if handle is touched, even if EasyGo key is not present; Adaptive High Beam headlight failure; Rear tailgate opens with driver door occasionally; When spraying the car with water, while washing, doors lock and unlock continually if you have key in pocket; circuit board replaced, issue continues- another appt. made Where is the quality control?

Big, But Refined

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Ordered the 450 in February and took delivery in April, convenience 2 and heavily optioned but skipped the off-road stuff, automatic cruise, panoramic roof, and lane-assist. Would have ordered the diesel but dealers steered me clear given biodiesel content in Illinois - no complaints with the V-8; sounds great. This is not, however, a car that cries to be driven fast - big (which is why I bought it), heavy vehicle. Awesome for interstate cruising or tooling around town. Very quiet; smooth ride, although I hate the numb electronic steering. Great styling inside and out. Command system works fine for me, extremely comfortable, lots of convenience features. As good as advertised.

The S class of SUV's

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Just took delivery of my wife's GL 450 and I am blown away by how quiet, solid and comforting this vehicle is. It really rivals the S class. When I test drove a lesser equipped vehicle I liked how well the vehicle performed. I loaded this vehicle out and I am not sure why but the vehicle is even nicer than I remember. Acceleration is adequate, braking is superb and the ride is awesome. Looked at all the competing models but kept coming back to Mercedes. The price does escalate as you add options as it does with others. If you are in the market for an SUV you owe it to yourself to at least give the GL some consideration.

2013 GL550

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 2 Reliability: 2 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 2 Safety Rating: Technology Rating: Value Rating:

At the end of October 2012 we traded in my wife's 2008 Mercedes 4matic (station wagon) for a new Mercedes 2013 GL550. We love the exterior design of the car and the flexibility on the interior design with the third row seats. The acceleration of the car is incredible-no problem merging onto the freeway or passing. Gas mileage is not the cars strong suit but I did not expect it to be. Now the bad, at 4000 miles the car needs new front rotors which are not yet a stocking item at my dealership-10 day wait! A In addition both side view mirrors are defective-drivers side is frosted and the passenger's side has two stripped bolts off its backing plate.

Waited nine month and it's been worth it

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I'm a bit of a car freak and after carefully considering the options (Q7, X5, Lexus) decided to wait for the newly designed Benz. Wow, it took a long time, at least partially due to the options we elected. We picked up the car on Tuesday and it is beautiful. We did Arctic White with the special order Black dash/ carpet/headliner with Almond seats and door accents. We also ordered matte wood. It drives like a dream, is very comfortable and has outstanding build quality. We love it and I really believe this one will keep us happy for the decade we plan to keep it.