Mercedes-Benz GL 500 2012 first drive

Most Mercedes GL owners in Britain prefer diesel. Of the 3167 first-generation GLs sold since 2006, just 155 have been petrol variants. So will this revised petrol GL 500, which lands alongside the diesel GL 350 next spring, hold greater appeal?

It looks fresher and sleeker than its predecessor but is longer, wider and taller. Indeed, at more than five metres long, the GL’s size could limit its suitability to our nadgery roads.

On the other hand, there’s plenty of space for a large family. The GL 500 is based on a revised version of the first-generation car’s platform, but it has greater headroom and legroom for its seven occupants, plus a bigger boot.

Mercedes has largely achieved its aim of raising cabin refinement to be on a par with its luxurious S-class saloon. It’s an excellent long-distance cruiser, thanks to the lofty driving position, comfortable cabin, forgiving ride (in Comfort mode) and docile V8, which only really makes its presence felt when you boot the throttle hard.

And, boy, does it shift. The turbocharged, 429bhp 4.6-litre engine, mated to a seven-speed auto, propels the GL 500 with a pace that belies its heft. But how many chances would you get to use the GL 500’s reserves of grunt on UK roads? The GL 350 possesses more than enough power for most occasions. 

The clincher is the economy. Mercedes claims a combined figure of 25mpg for the GL500 – an improvement on the 20.8mpg of the old car, but outgunned by the GL 350, which offers 38.2mpg.

Mercedes-Benz GL 500

Price £75,000(set); 0-62mph 5.4sec; Top speed 155mph; Economy 25.0mpg; CO2 262g/km; Kerb weight 2445kg; Engine V8, 4663cc, turbocharged; Power 429bhp at 5000-5750rpm; Torque 516lb ft at 1800-3500rpm; Gearbox 7-spd automatic