Mercedes-Benz GL

What is the Mercedes-Benz GL?

The GL was Mercedes-Benz’s full-size SUV, with three rows of seating and room for up to seven. It combined a spacious cabin with the ability to travel on paved roads and off them, and sat near the top of the brand’s SUV range. Mercedes-Benz later renamed the line GLS.

The GL came in two generations: the X164, from 2006 to 2012, and the X166, from 2013 to 2016. The second generation carried the same broad purpose forward with updated styling and technology.

Engines and power

The listed engines ranged from 3.0 L to 5.5 L, with diesel and petrol choices and power from 190 kW (258 PS) to 410 kW (557 PS). EU registration figures show strong numbers for 4.0 L diesels in the early years. In 2014, a 3.0 L diesel rated at 190 kW (258 PS) was among the leading versions.

How economical is the Mercedes-Benz GL?

Official consumption figures vary by market and test procedure. The lowest listed UK figure is 7.8 L/100 km on NEDC, while France’s is 7.4 L/100 km, also on NEDC. The lowest US figure is 11.8 L/100 km under the EPA procedure, with a best combined rating of 20 MPG. Canada’s lowest result is 11.6 L/100 km on its 5-cycle test. These results are not directly comparable: European NEDC and WLTP, the US EPA procedure and Canada’s 5-cycle test use different methods.

EU registration figures total 4,976 GLs from 2010 to 2016. Registration counts show how many cars were registered; consumption figures come from laboratory tests.

Where was the GL sold?

The GL appears in official figures for the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Canada. The year spans vary: UK, US and Canadian figures begin in 2007, EU figures in 2010, and French figures in 2013. As a large, comfort-focused SUV with space for seven, the GL served drivers looking for room for passengers and luggage alongside long-distance and off-road ability.