2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350

German engineering is quite different from Japanese. They say that this model slides over big depressions on the road. Probably due to its Airmatic height-adjusting air suspension with any bumps damped so that neither the driver nor his passengers will feel a thing.

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 350 is roomy, quiet and quite garish. Even though movements to and from the cabin is a bit awkward, sitting high is great for urban driving, as some owners say.

Favorite features according to those who have driven this SUV include the sound system, impressive interior styling, multi-functional steering wheel, Bluetooth phone programming, imperceptible shifts and smooth transmissions and plenty of three rows of seats

The interior is one befitting of this plane of vehicles. With the unusual stitched upholstery at the dash and simulated leather seating (Mercedes calls this MB-Tex), it is quite a pleasant sight as many agree. MB-Tex is very good at imitating the real deal. However, one has to pay extra for real leather. Talk from other quarters is that the interior is not so memorable.

The GL may have-room for 7 people in the three rows of seats but it fails to afford ample cargo space behind the 3rd row with barely 14.3 cubic feet of space. The second and third rows have inadequate legroom.

Under the hood is a V-6, 3.0-liter diesel  engine that makes 210 hp for the GL350 Bluetec. While accelerating, many have noted that there’s a familiar diesel clatter and the sound is like that of the more recent diesel pickup vehicles from Chevrolet and Ford. If you are looking for a diesel powered SUV that produces lots of torque or low-end power and quick acceleration from zero, then you got it in this GL. The engine produces 400 pounds-feet torque at 1600 rpm. Its curb weight however poses as a burden and as expected, this GL does not move out confidently.

Diesels obviously have fuel economy advantages over gasoline engines. The GL350 EPA rating is 19 mpg which stands 27% higher than the combined EPA rating of the GL450 with its 4.6 liter gas V8. The GL350 however, has its combined rating lagging those of other diesel SUVs of larger size such as the BMW X5Drive35d (which is 22mpg) and that of the Audi Q7 TDI (which is 20mpg).

The engine boasts of a seven-speed auto transmission with manual shift paddles at the side of  the steering wheel, providing a means to hold the gear while on steep grades.

For safety, notable features include its antilock brakes, side curtain air bags for all three rows and side-impact air bags for the front row seats, an electronic stability system and Pre-safe. The Pre-safe cinches the seat belts and closes the sunroof and side windows upon detection of an impending collision.

Typically the diesel version is more expensive than gas in models where both are available. However, with $60,950 as the starting price, the diesel Bluetec is the least expensive trim. The two V8 gas-powered models-the GL550 and the GL450-are more expensive.