"Seven seats of Mercedes-Benz, American-style. Although the GL-class is sold worldwide, it’s clearly made to target our country’s love of extra-large and extra-in-charge trucks. Plus, the GL is manufactured in the good old U.S. of A., down in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
Since we said goodbye to our long-term 2008 GL320 CDI 4MATIC, the GL has undergone a number of running changes. In 2009, Mercedes added BlueTec, a urea-injection exhaust after-treatment that made the diesel 50-state emissions legal; and 2010 brought a mid-cycle refresh to the front and rear styling. The badge change from GL320 to GL350 is purely semantic—the oil-burning powertrain remains unchanged—and the drop in the highway fuel-economy rating from 23 mpg to 21 is merely a result of new EPA test procedures required for all 2011 models.
How Does It Drive?
The GL’s impeccable road manners remain intact. It never tries to be a sports car, but the steering is slop-free and accurate, and the GL350 wafts over bumps in a way that seems to say, “You’re in a giant Mercedes. I know you don’t want to be disturbed."
How Does It Stack Up?
A GL won its first (and only) comparison test in 2006—in V-8–powered GL450 guise—and we’re still fans. Back then, the Audi Q7 4.2 finished second, and we still like that SUV, too. Although the Audi attempts to be a bit sportier, the Mercedes leans more on attributes like a tall, commanding view of the road, a no-nonsense demeanor, and a more spacious third-row seat. When considering the diesel versions of both, the Q7 TDI is about 10 grand cheaper. That’s a tough price difference to overlook, but those who can afford to won’t be disappointed with the GL.
What’s the Cost?
The GL350 is large and has a three-pointed star in the grille, so it ain’t cheap, but the BlueTec is our pick of the GL range. Its base price of $61,825 undercuts that of the GL450 by $1000 and the GL550 by a whopping $23,500. What’s more, although we wouldn’t call the diesel stingy, it crushes the gas burners on fuel economy, 17/21 mpg versus 13/18 and 12/17, respectively. That’s one thing the latest round of updates hasn’t changed at all." - Car and Driver
"The US Auto Enterprises experience is unique. You can manage the entire process, from purchase to shipping using only your mouse and keyboard.All transactions are available to you online, and can be tracked from the port of discharge. Export Trader representatives speak many languages and are always ready to answer specific inquiries." - USAutoEnterprises
US Auto Enterprises
sales@usautoenterprises.com
http://www.USAutoEnterprises.com/
1-561-577-8386
No comments:
Post a Comment