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Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

10 model years from 2007 to 2016, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
Pictured: Mercedes-Benz X167 IMG 5259. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2007–2016
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Latest engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo
Best MPG
14–20 combined, by year
Latest rating
Not rated
Recalls
0 campaigns, all years
Interest
7,823 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2016 GL-Class in brief

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is a standard SUV offered with 3 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo and 5.5L 8-cyl turbo) and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 202 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,688 lb (Gl 63 Amg 4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 21 highway), 2% better than the 2016 standard SUV average of 18.7 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class has 10 model years in our data, from 2007 to 2016, classed as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD.

Its most efficient year was 2008 at 20 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 14 to 20 MPG.

Buying used? 2016 has the fewest problems in our data.

How the 2007 GL-Class compares

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.6L 8-cyl) and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 23 highway), 15% better than the 2007 SUV - average of 17.4 MPG, for an estimated $4,800 a year in fuel.

About the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

The Mercedes-Benz GLS, formerly Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, is a full-size luxury crossover SUV produced by Mercedes-Benz since 2006. In each of its generations it is a three-row, seven-passenger vehicle positioned above the GLE. The GLS is considered the flagship of the marque's SUV lineup, although the body-on-frame G-Class is more expensive and has been in production longer.

From the Wikipedia article "Mercedes-Benz GLS", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2016 GL-Class pros & cons

Full 2016 details →

What's good

  • Few owner complaints0 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 29 for similar models.
  • No recalls so far

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Best and worst years to buy used

Best year

2016 GL-Class

0 owner complaints · 0 recalls

No clear problem year

None of the 2 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 2 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

GL-Class changes by model year

  1. 2015
    • Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
    • Best combined MPG up from 16 to 19
  2. 2013
    • Engines added: 4.7L 8-cyl turbo and 5.5L 8-cyl turbo
    • Engines dropped: 4.7L 8-cyl and 5.5L 8-cyl
  3. 2010
    • Engine added: 4.7L 8-cyl
    • Engine dropped: 4.6L 8-cyl
  4. 2009
    • No diesel version any more
    • Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
    • Best combined MPG down from 20 to 15
  5. 2008
    • Engine added: 5.5L 8-cyl

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 10 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20163.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo19 MPG202.4 in5,688 lbNot rated00
20153.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo19 MPG202.4 in5,688 lbNot rated00
20144.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo16 MPG202 in5,390 lbNot rated00
20134.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo16 MPG202 in5,611 lbNot rated00
20124.7L 8-cyl, 5.5L 8-cyl15 MPG200.4 in5,611 lbNot rated00
20114.7L 8-cyl, 5.5L 8-cyl15 MPG200.4 in5,611 lbNot rated00
20104.7L 8-cyl, 5.5L 8-cyl14 MPG200.4 in5,423 lbNot rated00
20094.6L 8-cyl, 5.5L 8-cyl15 MPG200.4 in5,313 lbNot rated00
20083.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.5L 8-cyl20 MPG200.4 in5,313 lbNot rated00
20073.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.6L 8-cyl20 MPG––Not rated00
Best combined MPG by model year — Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
2007: 20 MPG2008: 20 MPG2009: 15 MPG2010: 14 MPG2011: 15 MPG2012: 15 MPG2013: 16 MPG2014: 16 MPG2015: 19 MPG2016: 19 MPG20072009201120132015max 20 MPG

Alternatives to the 2016 GL-Class

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 BMW X525 MPGNot rated5
2016 Cadillac Escalade17 MPGNot rated4
2016 Lexus RX30 MPGNot rated3
2016 Tesla Model X289 miNot rated12
2016 Lexus LX15 MPGNot rated1
2016 Lincoln Navigator18 MPGNot rated4
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →