Mercedes Benz

GL-Class (inc AMG)

With its permanent four-wheel-drive, the Mercedes GL-Class is a vehicle crammed to bursting with outstanding quality and technology. It delivers an awesome drive and boasts class-leading safety specifications too.

Test Drive

Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG

They don’t come much bigger, bolder or powerful than the mighty Mercedes GL63 AMG and that’s a fact.

You may need a large share-holding in an oil refinery to keep it running which may explain its huge popularity in the Arab states and USA where fuel prices are much lower than the UK, but if you have the cash to splash, this vehicle is fun, fun, fun all the way home.

It’s built like a Porsche Cayenne on steroids with massive dimensions that will pose the occasional issue when weaving through busy city centre traffic, but with performance stats of 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 174mph the GL63 AMG is certainly not to be messed with.

The bursts of speed are seemingly effortless as the 5.5-litre, V8 petrol-driven engine provides all the oomph, grunt and finesse you could possibly wish for to power the vehicle.

And to add to the wow factor, the test model also boasted all Mercedes’ AMG potential and distinctive styling features. AMG models are the pinnacle of the Mercedes range with more aggressive styling, increased levels of performance, sharper handling, improved stability and more carbon fibre than their regular Mercedes’ counterparts.

Stand-out AMG body-styling features include the side skirts, flared wheel arches, plus distinctive front and rear apron. There is an ear-bursting AMG sports exhaust with twin chromed tailpipes, plus high performance brakes with red painted brake calipers.

Additional head-turning features include 21-inch AMG alloys, an electric sunroof, intelligent lights with bi-xenon headlamps and LED daytime running lights, green tinted glass and power-closing doors.

And once you take your seat inside the car it’s simply impossible not to be impressed and wowed by the attention to every detail and abundance of cutting edge technology that greets you inside the luxurious, elegant and very tasteful cabin.

In fairness, if you lay out £92k on a vehicle – £112k with options fitted – you expect the very best and the GL63 AMG lives up to those high expectations.

The luxuriously comfortable seats can be heated, cooled, electrically adjusted and there are memory settings to save your favourite driving position.

And even the second row passengers benefit from their very own climate control systems plus there are individual sun blinds for the rear windows should you require some additional privacy.

There are two extra seats which can be found folded flat to the boot floor, and although these are only suitable for children, it does mean the GL63 has all the versatility that SUV buyers demand.

Creature comforts are plentiful and there has been no expense spared in fitting the finest materials and technology available.

For example, there’s a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround sound system that emits pitch perfect acoustics.

Then there’s the Mercedes’ COMMAND online system which keeps you connected to all your multi-media devices on the go, along with a DAB radio, 6-CD changer, satellite navigation system, ambient lighting and a whole lot more.

So the GKL63 AMG looks the business, but how well does it handle?

The answer is incredibly so.

When you press the start button that mighty engine purrs teasingly into action, but with the slightest pressure on the throttle you are greeted with a roar that wouldn’t be out of place in an African wildlife park.

As you would expect, the acceleration is blisteringly fast and at times it’s hard to believe you are driving such a large vehicle. Road-holding is excellent although tight bends need to be treated with respect, but that aside the ride is incredibly smooth as the car moves through the seven-speed automatic transmission. There are steering wheel-mounted paddles if you fancy taking a little more control.

There will never be any limits on luggage as the boot offers between 295 and 2,300 litres of storage room depending on the seat configurations.

And as one would expect, Mercedes has packed the vehicle with a whole range of safety features, including anti-lock brakes with brake assist, electronic stability programme with acceleration skid control, collision prevention assist, downhill speed regulation, hill start assist, four wheel electric traction system, numerous airbags and plenty more.

And the GL-Class is also the first in its segment to be fitted with Crosswind Assist as standard. This innovative system automatically reduces the effects of sudden gusts of crosswind.

And, of course, it boasts permanent four wheel drive so any unexpected mood swings by Mother Nature won’t be an issue either.

All in all, the Mercedes GL63 AMG is a quite a car. It’s not cheap to buy or indeed to run with combined fuel economy of 23mpg, but it’s a stand-out vehicle with a real air of individuality and style that you won’t see every day.