Review: Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-Class (2006-12)

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• Responsive and fuel-efficient turbo-diesel engines
• Comfortable ride
• Spacious interior with usable third row seats
• Quiet, well-insulated cabin

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• Suspension lacks body control
• Overly-assisted steering is vague around centre
• Brake pedal lacks initial response
• Pre-2010 OM642 turbo-diesel engine susceptible to oil cooler leaks

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Review: Mercedes-Benz X164.I GL-Class (2006-09)

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Overview

Released in November 2006, the Mercedes-Benz X164 Series I (X164.I) GL-Class was a large, four-wheel drive SUV. Manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the X164 GL-Class range consisted of the GL 320 CDI and GL 500 models which were powered by 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 and 5.5-litre V8 petrol engines, respectively. Both engines were mated to Mercedes-Benz’s ‘7G-TRONIC’ seven-speed automatic transmission which had steering wheel gearshift buttons for sequential gear shifts. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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4WD system

The Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-Class was fitted with Mercedes-Benz ‘4Matic’ permanent four-wheel drive system and ‘Off-road Pro Engineering’ package which included a two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing (2.93:1 reduction ratio), centre and rear differential locks (with up to 100 per cent locking action), under-body protection, height-adjustable ‘Airmatic’ air suspension for increased ground clearance (up to 307mm) and fording depth (600mm) and an Adaptive Damper System.

In normal conditions, the four-wheel drive system provided and a 50:50 front/rear torque split. However, the adaptable traction control system (‘4ETS’) could brake any wheel that was expected to lose traction to transfer torque to the wheels with grip.

Dimensions and suspension

The Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-Class was underpinned by a modified version of the Mercedes-Benz W164 M-Class unibody architecture. Compared to the W164 M-Class, however, the X164 GL-Class was 308 mm longer (at 5088 mm), 141 mm wider (1920 mm), 71 mm lower (1840 mm) and had a 160 mm longer wheelbase (3075 mm). Due to its longer wheelbase, however, the GL-Class could accommodate optional third-row seats.

The X164 GL-Class had double wishbone front suspension and four-link rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-Class included dual front airbags (two-stage), front and second row side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for all three rows of occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, trailer stability control, active front seat head restraints and seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters for the front and outer second row seats. Where fitted, the third row of seats also had tensioners.

The GL-Class was also fitted with Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Pre-Safe’ system, which anticipated and prepared for collisions by tensioning the seatbelts, adjusting the seat positions for optimal airbag deployment and closing the sunroof (if open).

Features: Mercedes-Benz X164 GL 320 CDI

Standard features for the Mercedes-Benz X164 GL 320 CDI included 18-inch alloy wheels with 265/50 R18 tyres, an eight speaker Audio 20 sound system with a CD player, six-disc CD changer, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, ten-way power adjustable front seats, Artico synthetic leather upholstery, cruise control, front and rear fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, 60/40 split and flat folding second row seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a fixed glass roof above the third row of seats, three 12 volt power outlets, ambient lighting, tyre pressure monitoring, roof rails and an immobiliser.

Features: Mercedes-Benz X164 GL 500

Compared to the GL 320 CDI, tThe GL 500 was further equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels with 275/55 R19 tyres, a 12 speaker Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound system with auxiliary inputs, three-zone climate control air conditioning, COMAND APS with DVD-based satellite navigation and CD/DVD player, multi-contour front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, heated front and second row seats, directional bi-xenon headlights with washers, electrochromatic and power folding mirrors (with memory settings), a power adjustable steering wheel, electrochromatic rear view mirror, front seat memory settings, a power-operated tailgate and power sunroof.

October 2008: GL-Class update

In October 2008, the GL-Class was updated. For the GL 320 CDI, standard features were extended to include 19-inch alloy wheels with 275/55 R19 tyres, MP3/WMA compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5mm/USB/iPod), four-zone climate control air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, a power adjustable steering wheel, front seat memory settings, a power-operated tailgate and an electrochromatic rear view mirror. The GL 500 was further equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels with 275/50 R20 tyres.

Related links

• Specifications: Mercedes-Benz X164.I GL 320 CDI and GL 500 (November 2006)

Review: Mercedes-Benz X164.II GL-Class (2009-12)

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Overview

Released in December 2009, the Mercedes-Benz X164 Series II (X164.II) GL-Class introduced a revised range as the GL 320 CDI was replaced by the GL 350 CDI; Luxury variants were also introduced to indicate a higher level of standard features.

Visually, the X164.II GL-Class could be identified by its new grille and bumpers, combined front fog lights and daytime running lights, LED tail-lights and redesigned chrome skid plates and exhaust outlets; there were also new alloy wheel designs. Inside, there was a new instrument panel, a Nappa leather steering wheel and Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND system – fitted as standard – with a 6.5-inch colour display and Bluetooth interface.

In March 2011, the range was updated as the GL 350 CDI was fitted with a more powerful BlueEfficiency engine and the GL 450 CDI was introduced (powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo-diesel V8 engine). The full range is given in the table below. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Compared to its X164.I predecessor, standard safety equipment was unchanged. However, the X164.II GL-Class was fitted with Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Post-Safe’ system which automatically unlocked the doors and shut down the engine and fuel systems in the event of an accident.

Features: Mercedes-Benz X164.II GL-Class

Standard features for the Mercedes-Benz X164.II GL 350 CDI included 19-inch alloy wheels, COMAND APS with an eight speaker sound system, CD/DVD player, MP3/WMA compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5mm/USB/iPod), 4GB hard-drive for music storage, Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition, satellite navigation and a 6.5-inch display, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, ten-way power adjustable front seats, Artico synthetic leather upholstery, cruise control, front and rear fog lights, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, front seat memory settings, three 12 volt power outlets, courtesy lights, tyre pressure monitoring, roof rails, a compass and an immobiliser.

The GL 350 CDI Luxury was further equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels, a six-disc CD/DVD changer, four-zone climate control air conditioning, directional bi-xenon headlights with washers, power folding and heated door mirrors, electrochromatic door and rear view mirrors, a power adjustable steering wheel, front seat memory settings, driver memory settings (steering wheel and door mirror positions), a power-operated tailgate and privacy glass.

Beyond this, the GL 450 CDI Luxury and GL 500 Luxury added 21-inch AMG alloy wheels, a 12 speaker Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound system, Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, Neck-Pro comfort head restraints, heated front and second row seats, a proximity key, power-operated glass sunroof and digital TV tuner.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-Class