The X166 GL-Class is a

full-size Full-size car—also known as large car—is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than mid-size cars, it is the largest size class for cars. In Europe, it is known as E-segment or F-segment. Af ...

luxury SUV A luxury car is a car that provides increased levels of comfort, equipment, amenities, quality, performance, and associated status compared to moderately priced cars. The term is subjective and reflects both the qualities of the car and the ...

produced by

Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz (), commonly referred to as Mercedes and sometimes as Benz, is a German luxury and commercial vehicle automotive brand established in 1926. Mercedes-Benz AG (a Mercedes-Benz Group subsidiary established in 2019) is headquartere ...

, from 2006 to 2015.

Development and launch

The X164 GL-Class debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, and deliveries commenced on September in Europe. Around US$600,000,000 was invested in the Mercedes Alabama plant in preparation for the production of vehicles including the X164 GL-Class. Unlike most three-row luxury SUVs at the time, the GL-Class is based on an elongated and widened version of the M-Class platform, instead of the

body-on-frame Body-on-frame, also known as ladder frame construction, is a common motor vehicle construction method, whereby a separate body or coach is mounted on a strong and relatively rigid vehicle frame or chassis that carries the powertrain (the engin ...

construction found on vehicles such as the

Lexus LX The is a full-size luxury SUV A luxury car is a car that provides increased levels of comfort, equipment, amenities, quality, performance, and associated status compared to moderately priced cars. The term is subjective and reflects bo ...

and

Cadillac Escalade The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV engineered and manufactured by General Motors. It was Cadillac's first major entry into the SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to competition from the Merced ...

. GL500 models are badged as GL550 in the United States.

Equipment

All models feature leather electric seats, an automatic climate control system, 19-inch alloy wheels,

4MATIC 4Matic (stylized as 4MATIC'') ''is the marketing name of an all-wheel drive system developed by Mercedes-Benz. It is designed to increase traction in slippery conditions. With the introduction of the 2017 E 63 S sedan, Mercedes-AMG announced a p ...

all-wheel drive An all-wheel drive vehicle (AWD vehicle) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand. The most common forms of all-wheel drive are: ;1x1 : All unicycles Reflecting one axle with one w ...

air suspension Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension powered by an electric or engine-driven air pump or compressor. This compressor pumps the air into a flexible bellows, usually made from textile-reinforced rubber. Unlike hydropneumatic suspension, ...

(adjustable by up to 307 mm), and a 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic transmission. GL-Class models are also optionally available with a

tyre pressure monitoring system A tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) monitors the air pressure inside the pneumatic tires on vehicles. A TPMS reports real-time tire-pressure information to the driver, using either a gauge, a pictogram display, or a simple low-pressure wa ...

DAB digital radio Digital radio is the use of digital technology to transmit or receive across the radio spectrum. Digital transmission by radio waves includes digital broadcasting, and especially digital audio radio services. Types In digital broadcasting syst ...

, reversing camera, and rear seat infotainment screens. Grand Edition models were also offered from 2011, and feature a redesigned front bumper, taller grille with three slats, 20-inch AMG alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlamps, and a two-tone interior.

Models

Petrol engines

Diesel engines

Model year changes

2009 facelift

The following changes apply for models produced since June 2009: * Exterior design changes including: redesigned radiator grille, foglights, bumpers, wing-mirrors, and LED headlights and tail-lights * Interior design changes including: redesigned seats and steering wheel * Addition of Tenorite Grey and Palladium Silver exterior colour options * All diesel models now receive urea-injection in exhaust system (BlueTEC), to meet 50-state emissions requirement * Introduction of GL350 CDI BlueTec, GL320 CDI model rebadged as GL350 CDI, and GL420 CDI rebadged as GL450 CDI

2010

* GL350 CDI engine updated and GL450 CDI ends production

2011

* Introduction of Grand Edition model for GL450 and GL350 CDI BlueTec

Sales figures

The following are the sales figures for the X164 GL-Class: Note: 2012 sales figures include the next generation model.

Awards

* 2007

MotorTrend ''MotorTrend'' is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, and designated the first Car of the Year, also in 1949. Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles published ''MotorTrend'' until 1998, when it was sold to ...

“SUV of the Year” * 2008

Car and Driver ''Car and Driver'' (''CD'' or ''C/D'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. In 2006 its total circulation was 1.23 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011. It was fou ...

"10 Best Trucks and SUVs" award * 2011 AutoPacific "Motorist Choice Award" in the SUV category

References

{{Mercedes-Benz vehicles GL-Class (X164) Cars introduced in 2006 Luxury sport utility vehicles All-wheel-drive vehicles