We had the Mercedes Benz GL 350 CDi Luxury 4WD SUV. It has a MLP of $131,800, which includes the luxury pack and the vision pack.  

The GL 350 CDi produces 165Kw @ 3,800 rpm and a maximum of 510Nm of torque between 1,600 – 2,800 rpm and drives through the 7G-TRONIC transmission.

Luxury 4WD SUV Family transport for the larger family.

The Mercedes Benz GL 350CDi SUV is somewhat of a dark horse in the luxury SUV market. Like a lot of its compatriots it is unbelievably capable but rarely sees more dirt than the dusty driveway at the country property. 

Mercedes Benz has a long history of building capable, robust 4wd vehicles with the ‘G’ wagon for about 30 years now. What they have done with the GL Wagon is build a luxury family wagon that is also very capable off road. 

Make no mistake about it this is a 4WD in the same vein as the Lexus 570 and the Landrover Discovery 4 HSE. It’s just that owners don’t utilise the capabilities. 

Full of luxuries, powered by an economical diesel motor, will fit 7 in comfort like almost no other 4WD, will tow almost everything you want and with the legendary Mercedes Benz qualities, the GL 350 CDi is one of my favourite 4WD vehicles.

What is Good?

• Comfortable 7 seats
•  Off road ability
• Diesel Motor

What is not so Good?

• Overall size
• Price
• Um…. still thinking

Mercedes Benz has done an admirable job of disguising the GL’s overall size with subtle styling. At over 5.0m in length it is a monster and yet it looks smaller than it is. As it is based on the M Class from many angles it is difficult to tell them apart.  

It has crisp clean lines that are complimented by integrated side steps and flared guards that accommodate impressive 20 inch 5 spoke alloy wheels housing 50 series low profile tyres. The side profile shows a sweeping line towards the boot and the integrated roof rails complete the picture.  

Bi-Xenon headlights cater for lighting with Intelligent Light System featuring Active Light System, dynamic range adjustment, cornering light function and headlight cleaning system with LED daytime running lights.  

Everything seems neat and tucked away. An example of this is the exhaust pipes, virtually invisible. In terms of big luxury 4WD SUV’s it is arguably the best looking. It just doesn’t look as big as it is. 

The GL 350 CDi has an overall length of 5099mm, wheelbase of 3075mm, width of 2124mm and height of 1840mm. The ground clearance is up to 307mm and the Tare mass is 2450kg. 

Once inside your first impression is that it is positively cavernous.  

It goes without saying that the driver’s seat is supremely comfortable. Multi adjustments combined with the electrically adjustable leather steering wheel means that you can find the perfect drivers position. The seat has more than enough travel for my 190cm frame and still leaves ample room behind.  

The steering wheel, which has all the controls you would expect, frames the twin dial instrument panel. The centre area houses the multi function display. Typical of Mercedes Benz the detail you can get there is extraordinary.  

What takes a little getting used to is the transmission lever on the steering column.  You find yourself constantly reaching towards the centre console. The benefit is that there is more tangible space there and no reaching over bottles of water to change gears. In fact the feeling of a place for everything also prevails. 

Without going into detail the GL350CDi Luxury is absolutely jam packed full of goodies, more so now as Mercedes Benz has included the GL Class in its value enhancement programme adding a pile of luxuries and features.  There is way too much to list here about what it has inside. The best way is to have a look at the brochure from Mercedes Benz, which you can DOWNLOAD HERE.  

Central to the driving pleasure is the unobtrusive nature of the advanced technology. Did you know there are more than 150 electric motors to take care of all the things you can take for granted in the GL-Class? The only thing I would ask for is the control knob found on the GL500 as the functions of the central display unit can be a little fussy. 

The second row of seats is very comfortable with plenty of head, shoulder and legroom. More suited to two with semi individually sculptured seats there is ample room for three.  

The third row of seats is comfortable enough for me to sit in with ample head and shoulder room. There is also more knee room than many smaller sedans in the second row. The closest to this is the Discovery 4 and the GL seats are better. In fact they are the best third row seats bar none in any 4wd on the market. To compliment the comfort the THERMATIC automatic climate control system provides consistent temperature for all seven seats both in the depths of winter and on those sweltering summer days. 

If you don’t need them the rear individual seats can be stowed electrically at the push of a button, either individually or in tandem to provide a completely flat load surface. With the second row also folded flat the load area is enormous. Long enough for me at 2188mm to lie flat with room at each end, which is nothing short of amazing. Access is easy with the electronic tailgate.

The GL-Class makes full use of the advantages of its unitised body, combining optimum strength with intelligent lightweight steel design. The result is excellent passive safety. Combined with the front and rear deformation zones, the high-strength occupant cell forms an efficient base for the occupant protection systems.  

These include: Adaptive, two-stage airbags for the driver and front passenger, Sidebags in the front, and in the middle row of seats as standard, Windowbags across all three rows of seats from the A to the D-pillar, NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger as standard, 3-point seat belts on all seven seats, Seat-belt pre-tensioners and adaptive belt-force limiters for the driver and front passenger, seat-belt pre-tensioners and belt-force limiters on the outer seats in the middle row.  

PRE-SAFE® is standard, and it’s most striking feature is that passive and active safety systems are networked with each other. PRE-SAFE® utilises the sensors in the dynamic handling control systems such as ABS, BAS (Brake Assist) and ESP® and optimises the protective function of the passive safety components in potential accident situations.  

The GL-Class also takes the issue of pedestrian protection to a new level. The front section includes precisely defined ample crumple space between the body and the major assemblies under-neath. In conjunction with impact zones that are designed to yield, this design provides a high degree of protection both for pedestrians and cyclists.  

What these all mean is that Mercedes-Benz have done an excellent job of helping the driver. Most of these features will likely never be used on the majority of vehicles, but it reassuring to know that you are driving one of the safest if not the safest SUV on the market.

The tried-and-trusted V6 diesel unit in the GL 350 CDI model has an output of 165Kw @ 3,800 rpm and a maximum of 510Nm of torque between 1,600 – 2,800 rpm. The result is a highly respectable set of performance figures: the GL 350 CDI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds, reaches a top speed of 210 km/h and consumes a mere 9.7 l per 100 km. 

The seven-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission is operated by a conveniently positioned steering-column selector lever and works seamlessly with the powerful diesel motor.

4MATIC – the permanent all-wheel-drive system works together with the powerful engines and 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission to provide outstanding handling whatever the conditions.  

All-wheel drive is provided by a two-stage transfer case with reduction gearing, which is flange-mounted directly onto the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission.

The technical blurb is that two propshafts with constant-velocity joints normally distribute the drive torque evenly between the front and rear axle, while a bevel-gear differential takes care of any differences in the rotation speed. In the event of different rotation speeds at the individual wheels, due to traction slip, the 4ETS traction system intervenes to vary the torque distribution. In this case, the torque is sent to the wheels offering the best traction by braking the spinning wheel(s). 

One of the most impressive standard features of the GL is the multi-talented AIRMATIC air suspension which provides outstanding on-road comfort and substantially enhanced directional stability.  

AIRMATIC compensates for variations in the vehicle load and driving conditions and also functions as a level control system. Away from the road, the full air suspension system enhances the vehicle's off-road capability by providing additional ride heights. 

The body can be raised or lowered at any time, either automatically or at the request of the driver, whilst the engine is running. The system is speed-sensitive, automatically lowering the body by 15 mm at both axles when the speedometer needle reaches 140 km/h, thus reducing aerodynamic drag and improving directional stability. 

Once the speed drops back below 40 km/h, the  AIRMATIC works in tandem with the ADS Adaptive Damping System which adjusts the damping rates according to requirements, depending on the road conditions, driving style and vehicle load the body is raised to the normal level again.

Off road the GL 350 CDi will surprise most with its abilities thanks to electronics and good design. There is a raft of electronic bells and whistles that assist the driver. The beauty of the GL 350 CDi is that these gadgets assist rather than take control, which is the trend. Wheel articulation is not as good as say the Discovery 4 but the electronics more than compensate.  

The powerful diesel motor brings its torque in at a low 1,600rpm and combined with height adjustable air suspension, the 7G-TRONIC transmission and the All-wheel drive with electronic traction system means that the places where you can go are generally limited by its size and your bravery. 

The off-road Pro Engineering package is a dedicated combination of off-road-specific features comprising AIRMATIC DC adjustable air suspension with level control, two-stage low-range transfer case with additional ratio of 2.93:1 (which can be engaged whilst moving), front differential lock with a 4ETS (4-wheel Electronic Traction System) acting as a lock on the front axle, multiple-disc centre differential lock with up 100 percent lock (manual and automatic engagement), multiple-disc rear differential lock with 100 percent lock (button engagement) and protective under-shield.  

Other off road figures are impressive. Approach/ramp over/departure angles of 33/23/27 aren’t bad considering its bulk. Maximum fording depth is 600mm, which is similar to a Landcruiser 200 series. 

Clever design shows itself again with the double-wishbone suspension at the front and the four-link rear suspension, both of which come with self-supporting subframes, is ideally suited to the challenges of off-road driving. The isolated design of the subframes in terms of vibration ensures that very few jolts are transferred to the vehicle’s body. When you look underneath everything is neatly tucked up out of the way and a steel under-guard protects the important chassis and powertrain components.  

Given its size visibility is a feature. Forward you get a reasonably clear picture of where you are over the front bonnet and wheel guards. To the rear the reversing camera is an essential piece of equipment.  

What does limit how far you can go off road is the tyre selection. 20-inch rims with 50 series profile tyres would not be my first choice of a good off road tyre. Thankfully I am told that dealers will assist with a set of off road rubber if you require it. I would hate to replace these tyres.  

Two of the things that make the GL so popular with the horse and boat groups are that it will tow 3500kg with ease (braked) and has a 100L fuel tank. Handling, when pulling a trailer is no less impressive thanks to ESP® Trailer Stabilisation. It defuses critical driving situations involving a trailer before they become dangerous by precisely applying the brakes, while AIRMATIC provides fully automatic level adjustment keeping things level.

Is the Mercedes Benz GL 350 CDi the best 7 seat 4WD SUV on the planet? 

Let’s have a look at what it offers.

• It has the ability to seat 7 in comfort with the best third row seats bar none.
• It has positively cavernous internal space, again unmatched by any other vehicle on the market.
• A powerful and economical diesel motor that provides more than adequate performance. It is slightly behind the market, but Mercedes Benz has a bigger more powerful motor in its kit bag overseas.
•  A level of luxury that equals its compatriots.
• More capable off road than almost any owner will ever need.
• It will tow 3500kg effortlessly and safely.
• It benefits from a 30 year history of robust exceptional off road vehicles and
• It can be considered value for money even at $131,000 MLP.

Well given all those factors I would have to say yes. Some of its compatriots may be better in some areas but I don’t believe any have a better overall balance.  

Let the arguments begin!