Introduction:
Mercedes-Benz has an wide range of sport utility vehicles and crossovers, covering the gamut from rugged off-roader to family-hauling crossover. Several of the SUVs are even available in high performance AMG variants, and the M-, GL- and R-Class models offer a choice of gasoline or diesel engine. Mercedes-Benz SUVs balance luxury, performance and utility in unique and interesting ways. Each Mercedes-Benz SUV comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty.
GLK-Class
GLK-Class debuted as a 2010 model. It is the most compact of the Mercedes-Benz SUVs, built on the C-Class platform, known internally at Mercedes-Benz as "W204." Currently offered in one trim level. the GLK350 comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque) and 7-speed automatic transmission. The GLK rides on a 108.5" wheelbase. The overall length of the vehicle is 178.2"; overall width is 79.4"; height is 66.9"; and curb weight is 3,979 lbs - 4,079 lbs, depending on options and equipment. Luggage capacity is 23.3 cubic feet behind the second row; Cargo capacity is 54.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. 4MATIC all-wheel drive is a major option at $2,000. Pricing starts at $35,880, plus options. Fuel economy is estimated at 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway.
2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Test Drive & Review.
2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Photo Gallery.
M-Class
M-Class debuted as a 1998 model. The second generation began as a 2005 model, and the current third generation debuted as a 2012 model. Built in Mercedes-Benz's Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant, the M-Class is based on the same platform that underlies the GL-Class SUV. Currently offered in three trim levels: the ML350; ML350 BlueTEC (diesel); and the ML63 AMG. The ML350 comes with a gasoline direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 engine (302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque) and 7-speed automatic transmission with standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive. ML350 BlueTEC gets a 240 hp/455 lb-ft of torque 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. The ML63 AMG gets a 6.3-liter V8 that generates 503 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque.The M-Class rides on a 114.8" wheelbase. The overall length of the vehicle is 189.1"; overall width is 84.3"; height is 70.7"; and curb weight is 4,753 lbs - 5,040 lbs, depending on options and equipment. Luggage capacity is 36.2 cubic feet behind the second row; Cargo capacity is 71.0 cubic feet with the second row folded. Pricing starts at $48,990 for ML350; $50,490 for ML350 BlueTEC and $95,865 for ML63 AMG, plus options. Fuel economy is estimated at 11 mpg city/15 mpg highway for the ML63 AMG; 17 city/22 highway for the ML350; and 20 city/27 highway for the BlueTEC diesel model.
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Test Drive & Review.
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Photo Gallery.
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG Test Drive & Review.
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG Photo Gallery.
2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320CDI Test Drive & Review.
2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320CDI Photo Gallery.
GL-Class
GL-Class debuted as a 2007 model and is now deep into its first generation. It is built on the same line as the ML-Class, with which it shares a platform. Currently offered in three trim levels: the GL350 BlueTEC (diesel); the GL450 and the GL550. GL350 BlueTEC gets a 210 hp/398 lb-ft of torque 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. The GL450 comes with a gasoline-fueled 4.6-liter V8 engine (335 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque), and the GL550 gets a 5.5-liter gasoline V8 that cranks out 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Each comes with a 7-speed automatic transmission with standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GL-Class rides on a 121.1" wheelbase. The overall length of the vehicle is 200.72"; overall width is 85.5"; height is 75.6"; and curb weight is 5,346 lbs - 5,545 lbs, depending on options and equipment. Luggage capacity is 14.3 cubic feet behind the third row; Cargo capacity is 43.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 83.3 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. Pricing starts at $62,445 for GL350 BlueTEC; $63,445 for GL450 and $86,175 for GL550, plus options. Fuel economy is estimated at 17 mpg city/21 mpg highway for the BlueTEC; 13 city/18 highway for the GL4500; and 12 city/17 highway for the GL550.
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC Test Drive & Review.
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC Photo Gallery.
2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 Test Drive & Review.
2008 Mercedes-Benz GL550 Photo Gallery.
2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Test Drive & Review.
G-Class
G-Class debuted as a 1979 model, and received its last makeover for the 1991 model year. It is hand-built in Graz, Austria. Also known as the Gelandewagen or G-Wagen, the G-Class has also been sold as a "Puch" model and as a Peugot P4 in other markets under license. Currently offered in two variants: the G550 and the G55 AMG. G550 gets a 5.5-liter gasoline V8 that puts out 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque through a 7-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive. G55 AMG is equipped with a supercharged 5.5-liter gasoline engine that produces 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque with a 5-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The GL-Class rides on a 112.21" wheelbase. The overall length of the vehicle is 184.5"; overall width is 71.8"; height is 76.0"; and curb weight is 5,622 lbs - 5,721 lbs, depending on options and equipment. Luggage capacity is 45.2 cubic feet behind the second row; Cargo capacity is 79.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. Pricing starts at $107,975 for G550 and $124,450 for G55 AMG, plus options. Fuel economy is estimated at 11 mpg city/15 mpg highway for the G550 and 11 city/13 highway for the G55 AMG.
R-Class
RL-Class debuted as a 2006 model and has remained unchanged in the lineup except for incremental updates ever since. It is built in Mercedes-Benz's Tuscaloosa, Alabama factory, and is currently offered in two models: the R350 BlueTEC (diesel) and the R350 4MATIC. R350 BlueTEC gets a 210 hp/400 lb-ft of torque 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. The R350 comes with a gasoline-fueled 3.5-liter V6 engine (302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque). Each comes with a 7-speed automatic transmission with standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The R-Class rides on a 126.6" wheelbase. The overall length of the vehicle is 203.1"; overall width is 85.4"; height is 65.4"; and curb weight is 4,960 lbs - 5,225 lbs, depending on options and equipment. Passenger capacity is 6 or 7, depending on second row configuration chosen. Luggage capacity is 15.2 cubic feet behind the third row; Cargo capacity is 42.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.0 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. Pricing starts at $54,715 for R350 BlueTEC and $53,565 for R350 4MATIC, plus options. Fuel economy is estimated at 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway for the BlueTEC and 16 city/21 highway for the R350 4MATIC.
