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The price is certainly a barrier to entry for most folks, but there's nothing else about this car that would make it any harder to own than a family sedan. In that vein, I've got some qualms about whether a three ton SUV is really the best choice for family transport. In fact, it's so remarkable that I fear it'll become the norm, the way that the ubiquitousness of air travel has taken some of the wonder out of stepping into a metal tube in New York, blasting through the air eight miles in the sky, and grabbing a beer in Munich eight hours later. The G元50 Bluetec is a remarkable feat of engineering. The air suspension had no problem swallowing up bumps while still remaining responsive enough to keep me appraised of what was going on outside the vehicle-important when piloting nearly three tons of metal. With seven passengers on board, I tossed it around like I would a sedan, and it complied with virtually no body roll or lean. That shouldn't be a problem, as I'm rarely invited to cocktail parties.Īs far as handling is concerned, the GL truly impresses. I hope I never run into any gas-powered GL owners at a cocktail party after I've had a few gin and tonics, because I'll be sure to grill them on their choice of vehicle. Comparatively speaking, the diesel is so remarkably efficient, and the drawbacks are minimal. Still, we can't imagine why anyone would choose to buy a gas-powered GL. Turbo lag-the short time it takes for a turbocharged engine to "spool up"-is a minor issue here, and the lack of instantaneous acceleration from a stop can be a bit unnerving until you get used to it. Mercedes claims the diesel V6 can move the giant GL from 0-60 in around eight seconds-though we'd argue most of that acceleration takes place in the latter six or so.
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In fact, all costs taken into account, a study by the University of Michigan (PDF) commissioned by engine component manufacturer Bosch shows that a diesel GL could save an American consumer $13,514 over a gas-powered counterpart over the course of just three years. That's not outstanding when compared against the majority of cars on the market, but it's a whole heck of a lot better than the 14 MPG city rating the EPA gives the gas-powered GL450. Our observed mileage, taken mostly from city driving, was closer to 18 MPG. Even though diesel tends to run more per gallon than gas, that's still a deal-especially considering gas-powered GLs require premium fuel. EPA rates the G元50 at 19 city, 26 highway, 22 combined. Won't that drive up the cost of the diesel, making it more expensive to run than the gas equivalent? Nope. You occasionally need to top off the AdBlue tank, which runs a few hundred bucks. It's a synthetic compound, so there's no actual urea (just what you think it is) in your car, unless you couldn't find a gas station bathroom in time.
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The 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 performs just like a gas engine, with no clatter and no cold weather issues, but a lot better fuel efficiency.Ī urea-based fluid known as AdBlue reduces harmful nitrogen oxide emissions (hence the "Bluetec" badge) that have sandbagged diesel in the past. That's far from the powerplant at work here. We also weren't huge fans of the dark Eucalyptus trim's tendency to pick up fingerprints.Īt least in New England, the words "diesel Mercedes" tend to bring to mind a 30-year-old, smoke-belching wagon with lacrosse gear in the back and a rear window covered in prep school stickers. Mercedes' brand-specific controls are still there: Owners of a '79 240D would know just where to find the cruise control stalk and power seat controls, but there's a slightly larger learning curve for those coming from other makes. There's enough legroom for adults in all three rows, and our tester featured climate control for three zones, too. If it's just appearances you're concerned with, the Land Rover LR4 also seats seven, and looks like it's ready for a safari. It also looks a lot more like a minivan than an SUV- and unless you need ground clearance, offroad abilities, or towing capacity, a minivan should be on your list. But a few exterior updates for 2013 have made the vehicle visually appealing in a utilitarian sense, like a well-designed locomotive. The GL is far from the most attractive vehicle Mercedes has ever built.