| The 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class offers three models differentiated primarily by engines and features.
The GL350 uses a 3.0-liter BlueTEC turbo-diesel with 210 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.
The GL450 comes with a 4.7-liter gasoline V8 (335 hp/339 lb-ft), while the GL550 uses a 5.5-liter V8 (382 hp/391 lb-ft).
All GL-Class offerings come with a 7-speed automatic transmission, 4MATIC all-wheel drive, and Airmatic air suspension.
All come with seating for seven and with a third row that powers up or down at the touch of a button.
GL350 ($60,950) and GL450 ($61,950) are similarly equipped, with MB-Tex faux leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, power driver's seat, heated power mirrors, heated windshield washer system, reading lamps, burl walnut trim, first-row moonroof, third-row panorama roof, rain-sensing wipers, HomeLink, cruise control, six power windows, and trip computer.
Options include the Full Leather Seating Package ($1930), which includes leather upholstery, Comfort front headrests, premium interior lighting and ambient lighting; and Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control ($1450), which includes rear air conditioning.
Buyers can choose between a wood/leather steering wheel ($590) and a heated steering wheel ($225).
A Class IV trailer hitch is optional ($550).
Additional options include heated/ventilated front seats, Parktronic proximity sensors, running boards, lighting package (adaptive bi-Xenon headlamps with heated washers), dual-screen DVD rear entertainment system, LED daytime running lights), illuminated door sills, roof rails and metallic paint.
Premium package 1 ($4,280) includes HDD navigation COMAND/voice recognition with Zagat guide, HD and Sirius radio, and MP3 inputs, power folding mirrors, power tilt/telescope steering column and driver memory, power liftgate, 115-volt outlet (house current), and auto-dimming mirrors; Premium Package 2 adds a harman/kardon Logic 7 sound system and Keyless go to all the features in Premium Package 1.
GL550 ($84,450) comes with many above options as standard, including full leather, three-zone climate control (rear air conditioning), navigation, rearview camera, Parktronic, harman kardon audio, adaptive bi-xenon headlamps, infrared-reflective glass, metallic paint, Adaptive Damping Suspension, and Keyless Go.
Options are limited to a chrome package, roof cross bars, trailer hitch, rear-seat entertainment system, heated steering wheel and rear seats, illuminated door sills, and an upgrade to Nappa leather upholstery.
Safety features that come standard include eight airbags, including side airbags for all four outboard first and second-row seating positions as well as side curtain airbags that protect occupants in all three rows.
GL-Class models come with active front head restraints, LATCH tethers for child safety seats, adjustable headrests and three-point safety belts for all seating positions; make sure everyone in the vehicle always wears those seat belts because they're your first line of defense in a crash.
Active safety features (to help you avoid a crash) include an Electronic Stability Program, anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist Plus, four-wheel electronic traction control, and all-wheel drive.
The 2011 GL350 and GL450 come standard with run-flat tires.
Optional safety features include a park-assist system, a rear-view camera and, new for 2011, Blind Spot Assist, which monitors both driver-and passenger-side blind spots.
Visual and audible warnings will alert the driver when a turn signal is activated with another vehicle in either blind spot.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class uses a proprietary Pre-Safe system, which can sense an impending collision by myriad input factors.
Introduced previously on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans, Pre-Safe automatically tightens the front seat belts and moves the front passenger seat to a position that can provide better protection.
Side windows close to provide better support for the curtain air bags.
If the system senses an impending rollover, the sunroof also closes. |