2006 MERCEDES BENZ GL-Klasse (X164) 420 V8 CDI 4MATIC 7AT AWD (306 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-Benz introduced the luxurious seven-seater GL at the 2006 North American International Motor Show and took the crown as the brand’s flagship SUV.

The German carmaker looked with praying eyes at the American seven-seat off-roaders for years before deciding to take the decision to compete with them on their home ground. Moreover, it produced it in Alabama to deliver it faster and avoid expensive import taxes. Although the car was not cheap and was considered the SUV version of the S-Class flagship model produced by the three-pointed-star brand.

Unlike the Cadillac Escalade, which was a body-on-frame build, the GL featured a unibody construction, thus making the vehicle lighter. Its front fascia resembled its smaller sibling, the ML-Class, already made in Tuscaloosa. With its two-slats grille and the tall lower bumper, the carmaker tried to hide the vehicle’s height. On its sides, the vehicle sported longer windows for the doors and, in addition, a third long glass panel between the rear doors and the D-pillars.

The interior was a mix between the ML-Class and the S-Class in terms of luxury and equipment. Its leather-wrapped cabin was adorned with wood grains on the center stack, door cards, and center console. There was room for three passengers in the middle row and two more on the third one. These two formed a completely flat loading area and an impressive 83.3 cu-ft (2,359 liters) of space when folded down.

Under the hood, the carmaker installed a choice of two V8 gasoline engines paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. For specific markets, though, the carmaker added a few turbo-diesel options, which were much more fuel-efficient. Power went in all corners as standard on the entire range, and the all-wheel independent air suspension ensured one of the most comfortable rides in the segment.