Used 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2011 GL-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the GL-Class since its last redesign.
Love/Hate Heartbreak
Schaffs04, 06/08/2016
updated 12/11/2017
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
102 of 106 people found this review helpful
The GL was a dream come true for me at the beginning. One owner, 2011 GL450 with a clean carfax and good looking maintenance history. Purchased from an MB dealer in April 2015. On the upside it was incredibly comfortable, fast, elegant, and as capable of hauling 6 adults in comfort to dinner as it was pulling a trailer with 3 tons of rock. When it was right, it was a thing to behold. When it went wrong, as it often did, it was like getting kicked in the gut. In 12 months and 20k miles: *Front Airmatic failure: $2,450 to repair *Primary and Secondary Battery Failures: $550 to repair *Blown underhood fuse panel: $450 to repair. *Standard maintenance for the year: $800, and that was skipping the spark plugs due at 60k which would have been another $600. Insult to injury was the depreciation in just one year: close to 40%. It has gone away and I am back to a nice, reliable, Japanese Infiniti. No need for 7 passenger so I also downsized. The only way this truck makes sense is if you can either do the work yourself, or have no worries about significant unexpected repairs. Wanted one for 25 years and after a year with the Benz, I suggest if you want a 7 passenger SUV that can tow, save yourself the heart wrenching experience of a GL and buy a GMC Yukon or Lexus LX570.
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A Diesel All the Way
Sawjai, 10/16/2010
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
25 of 25 people found this review helpful
Have taken vehicle on two long haul trips. One to Vancouver and one to LA and averaged over 25 mpg. The 600 mile range at least for me is more like 700 to 800 miles when driving less aggressively. LA trip hauled enough stuff for 4 adults and a newborn and everyone was comfortable. I wish that the rear two rows had legroom adjustments, but there is still a lot for a 3 row SUV. Power is excellent for passing, could use more off the line go power. The brakes have an initial feel of mush, but the stopping power is excellent. Saved me a few times, but didn't save the guy that rear-ended me. Built like a tank, little to no damage to my vehicle bumper, but totaled front panel of rear car.
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Mercedesnot the quality people have come to expect
cmnrs4, 05/19/2015
updated 11/21/2017
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
54 of 56 people found this review helpful
Need a SUV that would carry all 6 people for the many road trips and small trips we take together. It also had to be nice enough for my wife to drive by herself with decent gas mileage. I wanted this car for these reasons: - 7 passenger seating - luxury amenities - AWD - gas mileage - reliability & quality - storage space The GL delivered on some of these but missed BIG on the these items: quality and reliability. Had a PPI done Had this car for 1 year and 3 months, it was in the shop almost every other month. Numerous issues: - oil leaks - stalled and stop running (would not restart, needed tow) - when using cruise control, car enter "limit mode" - COST OF REPAIRS!
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Nice, but costly to maintain
Abraham, 03/19/2016
updated 09/23/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
41 of 43 people found this review helpful
The performance of my GL350 is unacceptable at any level of quality standards. The Oil Cooler, AdBlu Heater, and GPS unit have all failed, within 5-8 thousand miles of the warranty. The costs to fix all these items are > 10% of the original purchase price of the car, at >$7,000. No one would offer that this performance meets or exceeds the most basic expectations. While MB national and local discounts were offered and accepted (20% off), I told the MB national representative, Andrea D., Case Manager, [contact info removed] that I doubted if that discount was near the profit margins enjoyed by MB on parts and labor, making the ENTIRE cost remediation of these issues on my shoulders. We didn’t SHARE the remediation, I paid for it ALL. I’ve purchased 4 Mercedes since 2008…I’ll not be an eager return MB buyer for my next auto… UPDATE - (9/16) Since this above, I've had the motor on the autolift tailgate fail and need to be replaced. Another $500 down the drain...
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The worst car I have ever owned.
cm8112, 06/06/2014
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
69 of 74 people found this review helpful
We purchased a brand new 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. Fully Loaded, including entertainment and towing packages. In January 2014 our problems started. The car had just a little over 60K miles. Airmatics were gone, one after another within days. One of them even blew up. 4 Electrical problems, including radio, and door locks. All repairs costed more than $4,500 within 6 months, and it continued until we had enough. It just started to fall apart after 60K miles. I gave it away for $26K. Lost almost 50 grand in 4 years. I was lucky with that history of repairs. Do yourself a favor get a Japanese car. Our time, hard earned money and peace of mind are valuable. Stay away of this car and brand.
Worst vehicle ever! Better get real good warranty!
Brian, 03/15/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
42 of 45 people found this review helpful
Fell in love with the looks of this vehicle. We had a VW Passat TDI but needed a bigger vehicle, and this seemed perfect. We wanted the diesel for the torque and fuel economy. Very soon after buying it (used with 69,000 miles) we began having problem after problem. Key fob quit working and then mysteriously began working again and now quit again, front wheel bearing went, had it fixed, then had to bring it back after they said they needed to replace it again, got it back and the other one went, then the air strut which began popping over every bump soon after buying it. Motor mounts went, steering column module went bad, transmission valve body had to be replaced, and it still revs and slams into second gear the first time take off in cold weather. Oil cooler seals leak, dealer supposedly changed them but they began leaking again. Never noticed the leak until AFTER they changed them bit it is a common problem. Cost: almost $3,000. AdBlue tank heater went bad, $2,000. Glow plug control module went bad, sway bar bushings and links went bad, tailgate sometimes doesn't close unless you hit the button several times or lock and then u lock with the key fob if you close it with the fob. Can't fold the second row seat back down because the seatbelt gets stuck and I have to unbolt it from the bottom to raise the seat back up. Vehicle now has 83,000 miles. Our Land Rover LR3 never gave us any problems except for an air compressor thay went out and a wheel bearing, which I easilly tackled myself. Fuel economy is dismal for a diesel. Best I can get on the highway is 22 mpg with the cruise set at 75. Cebeer console is poorly designed. You can't put anything in it. Cargo cover is poorly designed. You can't use it without scratching the sides of the vehicle, and the seatbelt snag on it making it a pain to get it into the grooves. I could go on. the LR3 also rode so much smoother, and the headlights were 100 times better, especially the high beams. Cargo carrying was also better even though the GL is much larger. The air suspension also raised and lowered very quickly on the LR3. Takes forever to raise on this vehicle. If you buy one get ready to become good friends with the service people. On the bright side you'll get to test drive alot of cars because at least they give you a loaner car. I can't get rid of this thing either because despite the fact that I got a good deal below book value, it depreciated like a rock. I regret buying this car. I've had BMW's, Land Rovers amd another Mercedes, and while Land Rovers are supposed to be unreliable, this Mercedes is way way worse than any Land Rover I've ever owned, even my 2002 and 2003 discovery II. There are other things I've had to get repaired bUT since there are so many I can't remember them all. I will rejoice the day I can finally get rid of this. Never again will I buy another Mercedes Benz.
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6 Years of Maintenance Headaches, but still Own It
Jim A., 09/26/2017
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful
Original owner, vehicle serviced 100% by Mercedes repair/maintenance facilities in San Francisco & Monterey CA. After 50,000 miles, the maintenance problems began, and they are common to many other postings I have seen on the web. Engine oil cooler seals go ($4,000), front wheel bearings leak/go ($3,000), AdBlue Heater goes ($3,000), vehicle loses speed and requires multiple repair visits to finally repair fuel system problem ($2,500), plus regular maintenance that has averaged $1,500 per visit. Vehicle has locked me out twice, battery has unexpectedly drained on several occasions requiring jump-starts, "Check Engine" light goes on way too often, requiring dealership visits. Vehicle itself is a pleasure when it's working properly, but those intervals are getting shorter and shorter. Bought the diesel for power, efficiency and reliability but it's not turing out that way.
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New to MB
srpastor1, 03/27/2011
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
55 of 60 people found this review helpful
It's been a month since I traded my Lexus LS430 sedan for a 2011 GL 450 SUV. I researched the luxury SUV segment for more than 6 months. I ordered it with the P2 option, entertainment center and other luxury options. After 1000 miles, I realize that German engineering is very different from Japanese. The GL is very quiet, roomy and an attention getter. The drivetrain is excellent and smooth. It is awkward getting in and out of the cabin. Sitting high is excellent for urban driving. Overall, I like this vehicle but am still acclimating to MB luxury. It meets my needs for additional seating with a luxury nameplate. As I expected, the gas mileage is consistent with this segment.
Continuous Costly Maintenance
Ken, 03/25/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
29 of 31 people found this review helpful
Here is a list of repairs on our GL350, 2011: 1. Fuel system changed, fuel rail, high pressure fuel pump, all 6 fuel injectors $600 each in part, total cost > $5000. 2. AdBlue preheater, $1300 part, total $2100 3. Pending issues, oil cooler seal leak, estimate $2800, part and labor 4. Pending issues, cold start rattling noise; most likely due to timing chain stretch MUST buy extended warranty if you still want this car. Highly recommend to wait until next business management change at corporate level to bring back their quality products. Currently, it's way below acceptable standard of practicing good business.
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Great ride when it's not in the shop
David M., 09/01/2016
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
27 of 29 people found this review helpful
Pros: Handles well for the size of the car. Love the styling. Acceleration with V8 allows you to move quickly when needed. Cons: Lots of repairs over 2 year period: engine $5000, rubber flex boot for smooth ride 3 wheels at $850 each, air diffuser 3 at $350 each, visor deteriorated $400, etc. I probably have spent $10 k in maintenance over 2 years. I did buy a 3 year extended warranty for $3,800 which covered the engine repair. Car was in the shop for 6 weeks while the warranty company validated the repair. This is not a car for the budget conscious buyer. I'm selling mine before the warranty expires.
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Worst experience ever
Steve, 01/14/2016
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
44 of 49 people found this review helpful
Bought used GL350 and told the wife it was a Mercedes, they been making diesel cars forever. First few months, oil "o" ring goes to the tune of$1,600. Four months later timing chain stretched for about $ 3,000. Two weeks later windshield leaks and rusts connections to air bag module. $ 6,600. One month later rear wheel bearing goes bad for $800. That's over $11,000 in repairs in just over a year. Funny part is "0" rings and modules have been recalled on other 350 models. Not a happy Mercedes man.
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Not sure why MB is making such a bad car
Devesh, 11/24/2015
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
28 of 31 people found this review helpful
Nobody who is looking for a reliable diesel car/ truck should buy MB GL350, which is a constant source of frustration. It is a large SUV with good fuel economy considering its size. But there is no other positive points about this car. Negative points include the following: Frequent problems with check engine light repeatedly turning on Electronics are not at all user friendly No spare tire. Although you can run on a flat tire for 50 miles but what if you are driving at night on a long drive. Traction is not the best in bad weather conditions. It depreciates faster than any other car in this range, almost 10,000 each year. Interior is spacious but not comfortable.
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Rock Solid So Far
cyk, 11/17/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
21 of 23 people found this review helpful
We purchased a 2011 GL450 with 77k miles for $27k in Jan '15. So far the car has been reliable with the only repair being a set of front pads & rotors that set us back $600. We've racked up 25k miles and in that time have come to a few conclusions. 1) The build quality is not like MB of years past (we've had a few) where the doors had a tank-like closure and this GL feels comparatively "tinny". Materials are also a point of contention in that a car that had an original MSRP of $75k should come standard with leather seating, not the weird feeling MB Tex that comes standard. 2) The ride, while quiet, is heavy handed and feels unrefined over harsher pavement; poor compression damping would be my best description. 3) The engine's power is adequate, but I feel like another 100hp would be just about perfect. Considering the car lives at 8k ft with high gradient roads, an extra 100hp would offset the lack of O2. 4) Aesthetically, the car's exterior has held up quite nicely and still looks relatively new. The paint and trim all continue to have a high luster. 5) The depreciation on these is astounding and makes it a poor choice to purchase new. Our expectation is to run this car well past 200k miles and it has worked better than expected to date. Understanding repair & maintenance costs will be relatively high, the big MB mostly delivers for its intended purpose; i.e. family hauling and comfortable commuting.
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GL-350 - Worst Can of my life !
deninfiniti, 03/26/2015
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
21 of 23 people found this review helpful
Let me start off by saying that when I test drove my 2010 GL-350 I fell in love with it. The engine was smooth, transmission great and interior quality was fantastic, so I went ahead and purchased it. Despite having 90k miles on it (I have had diesels before and run them until 150k easily and know they can go much higher so the miles didn't worry me) I thought it was as sound decision as I have also had 2 Mercedes before and loved them. Well after 4 Check engine lights (Blue Tech low, Fuel line break, Blue Tech heater replacement and an O-ring failure on the turbo) and over $3000 in 4 months I finally traded it in for a new Japanese car. My advice, DO NOT buy and older Mercedes !
Worst vehicle I've ever owned!
Brian Rocha, 10/01/2015
updated 04/03/2016
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
Thought I did the smart thing trading my LR3 in for this. Boy was I wrong. Desite Land Rovers reputation for poor reliability, mine had no major issues. Bought this with 60,000 miles on it and a 4 year warranty (thank God I did). Power liftgate only lowers when it feels like it, oil leaks, DEF tank heater, oth wheel bearings, engine mounts, transmission mounts, transmission valve body, clunking fr front suspension that dealer still hasnt fixed, second row seat back will not go back up because center seatbelt will not unlock and allow the belt to come out. Fuel economy is dismal for a diesel. I get about 20-21 mpg as long as I don't go above 75mph. Shifts at high RPM, anything more than driving like a granny makes the rpm go up to 3,000+. Have to manually upshift with the paddles, which are very slow to respond and sometimes don't respond. When i first take off in first headed to work, the engine spins up as it shifts to second followed by a jerk. Only does this once during the first drive of the morning, then its fine. I've owned an ML320 that was trouble free. Wish i could get rid of this thing, as it has given me more trouble than every other vehicle I've ever owned in my life combined. My LR3 rode alot smoother, and the suspension is so freaking slow to raise and lower. My Land Rover raised and lowered in just a couple seconds (less than 5 seconds literally!). This thing takes a minute or two and raises very very slowly, amd when it is raised it rides horribly like it has no suspension. The Land Rover rode good even in off road extended height. Was getting about 26 mpg hwy for the first few months, now im lucky if I get over 21. Only thing good about this is the compliments people give. If they only knew. Last Mercedes I'll ever buy. Think I'll go Japanese as they are far less troublesome but also BORING! The LR3 also held bigger cargo, as the roof is taller and the opening is wider despite being a more narrow vehicle than the GL. If only the LR3/LR4 had a diesel because the fuel economy was why i traded it in for the GL.
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Dont buy used
mbpoorquality, 05/12/2015
updated 05/13/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
A used Mercedes, who brags about quality, should not need a new cylinder head at 65,000 miles. Running rough? When they do a compression test, dont be suprised if it is number 2 or number 4 on the passenger side. It will cost you $5000 and you can forget about warranty coverage. The electronics are way out of date. Save yourself money and frustration...do not buy used. And dont be misled when you get a call from Mercedes "corporate". It is some hourly employee who gets paid to tell you how special you are but they wont do a thing about their crappy motors. I will never buy another one. My AUDI Q7 is much better all the way around.
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Seduced by Styling
rcf8000, 12/28/2010
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
The GL is a mixed bag of the great and not so great. The latter would include the ride quality and road noise, although my car has the 20 inch wheels and runflat tires, which may be worse than the standard 19 inch wheels. I find the seats to be a bit too firm, but then I find most luxury car seats to be too firm. The nav screen is a joke. It's too small, and the lettering is too small. And I can't read it at all when wearing sun glasses. But the guidance to programmed destinations works well. My car has the running boards, which make getting in and out somewhat awkward. They look good though!
Grey Ghost aka GL450
terp97, 12/07/2010
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
Turned in 08 for a new 11 and once again very happy. Navigation is improved but still short of Acura/Lexus. Rear Entertainment screens are nicer but placement is horrible. They should have stayin the headrest. DVD in the center counsel is great location and it would be nice to control the DVD playback from the command not just from one of two remotes. It would be nice if the 550 grill and fender flares could be had as in option. The grill is massive and really sets the GL off with out sucking up all that gas like the 550 not that the 450 is any better.
2011 GL 350 Bluetec
Atlanta North, 09/30/2010
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
59 of 73 people found this review helpful
We just recently moved from a 2008 GL 320 CDI to the 2011 GL 350 Bluetec. The fit and finish and additional sound insulation in the 2011 are very noticeable. There are some nice feature upgrades from 2008 to 2011 such as bluetooth, voice control, HD radio etc. MB has definitely taken a step forward on what was already a great vehicle. The larger 20" tires on the '11 are definitely nicer than the 18" on the '08. We loved our previous GL and look forward to even better experience with our '11. In fact already the fuel economy seems slightly improved which was already impressive for such a large vehicle.
2010 Mercedes 350 Gl Bluetec
Scott L., 01/21/2019
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I am a long time owner of diesel Mercedes Benz products. The last diesel I owned before going to gas was a 1985 300 d turbo. Traded the car with almost 300,000 miles with very normal maintenance of the vehicle. I decided two years ago to go diesel again and found a beautiful 2010 350 Gl with 89,000 miles on it. Not afraid of miles on a diesel and not reading any reviews I purchased this vehicle. I am sorry to say it has been the biggest mistake of my life. I was able to purchase an extended warranty for this car engine,rear and trans only. Thank GOD. Within 3 months of ownership the engine seized after driving it a total of 3,300 miles. It literally took 5 months of red tape for the warranty company to put a used engine in the car. I guess I consider my self lucky I didn't shell out the 13,000 the shop charged for engine and install. Had the car back for a week when what i describe as an explosion occurred under the truck which immediately dropped in the rear. Rear air suspension done not under warranty. I'm waiting for the front to go any minute. I am praying i can pay this thing down enough to trade it in.
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Flawless
Tom Smith, 06/06/2010
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
This car is simply flawless. I have yet to find fault with it-The seats are wonderful, the ride is excellent, and the handling is amazing for such a large SUV. Test drove Q7, R Class, Escalade, Escalade ESV, and QX, only the ESV had a roomier third row, and the q7's 3rd row was smaller then my wife's BMW x3. The Escalade's dash was a little nicer but it looked to flashy and no fold flat third row. The heated and cooled cup holders were very nice though and wish this car had them.Overall this car is perfect, and would highly recommend to anyone with a large family. Its served mine of 7 and 2 dogs very well, so well in fact I'm selling my wife's x3 for one of these. Will be buying 2 more in a year.
The most unreliable vehicle. Never Again!
Just a car Guy, 01/05/2019
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
We absolutely loved our GL350 when it was working and really wanted to love Mercedes-Benz; however, here are some of the repair challenges we had to deal with in only 100k miles of ownership. All 4 air struts timing chain replacement Timing chain tensioner failure/replacement Engine mounts Torque converter NOX sensor DEF filter failure/replacement Urea Fluid heater/gas tank replacement Coolant hose leak/replacement two engine oil line leaks Constant grey sludge being dropped from the vehicle on the driveway almost every bulb that produces light in the front of the vehicle. 3 batteries i'm sure there is something else i've left out We just cant justify spending additional money on the repairs at this point and Mercedes USA is no help so we had to get rid of her. We have moved on to Tesla ( i own a 120K mile Model S that has been an absolute dream to own and drive). We just purchased another one. Please don’t buy this vehicle or anything from Mercedes... You have been warned!
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Goodbye Audi
Dan, 10/24/2010
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
I had been driving an Audi a8l (2007) and a Ford escape hybrid (2008) I wanted to consolidate to 1 vehicle--it needed to be an upscale, fuel efficient, and fairly large SUV (I haave 3 dogs and no way were they getting into the Audi). I found that in 3 years my Audi had taken a $58,000 depreciation hit! Still I liked the q7 tdi, and had never owned a Mercedes--I was so put out by Audi, that I went across the street and fell in love with the gl 350 bluetec. Its sumptuous and amazingly comfortable interior, quiet, quiet ride, beautiful rear visibility and increased cargo over the q7 sold me. I love this car! I give it a thumbs up and [violative content deleted] to Audi!
Never again
Non, 10/12/2018
updated 04/19/2021
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
If you looking for fancy and not reliable you can count on this car. We didn't even have the car a year or have driven it enough for the issues to happen. Be careful with purchasing this truck. Since we received the car many issues happen with the engine which is terrible. More cost go into designing the car then actually focusing on making sure people stay with their purchase.
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Better have a warranty
Mark Miller, 02/05/2016
updated 02/16/2017
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have owned this car since new. It has been a love hate relationship. The fuel economy is very good for a full size, 3 row, all wheel drive vehicle. I have found the ride and handling and body rigidity to be sub par. Reliability has been below average with an engine leak at 50,000 miles that required the transmission to be dropped and cost $3,000. One of the air bladders in the suspension went out at 55,000 miles which cost $1000. An emission sensor went out at 60,000 miles which cost $2,000. Fuel filter recall occurred twice. You will get to know your service adviser well. That has been my experience with my other European luxury cars. I like the character and comfort of the car over the Asian makes. Given the lack of personality with the Asian equivalents I may try domestic next because the warranty will be out soon. The extended warranty definitely paid for itself. Addendum Watch out for poor resale value. Thanks to VW (diesel gate scandal) as well as Mercedes long term cost of ownership, when I went to trade in my Blue tec diesel for a new BMW X5 5 months ago I was offered $20,000 for a vehicle in perfect working order (other than needing new tires), having all the maintenance records,very good cosmetic shape (garaged throughout its life) with 65,000 miles on the odometer. It lost $53,000 dollars in value over 5 1/2 years. Poor resale is a trend with all Mercedes. They are so expensive to maintain and repair as they get older. Mercedes please get rid of the unnecessary complexity (ie air bladder suspension) which makes maintaining these vehicles past warranty difficult. By the way I bought an BMW X-5 diesel (was on special due to VW again) and its drive train is unbelievably better than the Mercedes diesel. It is the first diesel vehicle I have owned (and that is many) that I cannot tell its a diesel. Getting 28-30 mpg in suburban driving in the BMW with AWD. I no longer own the GL. I can say that my neighbor has traded in his 2015 GL after 2 years due to multiple visits to the dealership for mechanical issues. This vehicles are more complicated than they need to be.
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Follow Up to My 2016 Review
cyk, 06/19/2019
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
To recap, I purchased a ‘11 GL450 almost 5 years ago for $27k with 77k miles. The car now has 147k miles and I can say it’s been a stellar car. The utility of 7 seats and plenty of cargo room speaks for itself. The economy has also been acceptable, consistently returning 18mpg. Materials have stood up quite nicely to the daily abuse of a growing family. Maintenance costs have been minimal and reliability has been stellar. Outside of replacing brakes and regular oil changes, the only repair has been a suspension airbag. The original plan was to run the GL to 200k miles and if the last 70k miles are any indication, we may go much longer! Considering our great experience, we will be taking a very close look at a new GLS when the time comes.
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Delightful Improvements
beechtiger, 01/20/2011
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I was delighted with significant improvements in Mercedes GL450 in the last few years. The firm seats are comfortable for both short and long distance driving. As a previous Land Cruiser owner, I am mighy pleased with the third row seats in GL450 as compared to Land Cruiser. It was a very simple push-button to set up the third row seats.
Amazing Car
Bob Whalen, 05/23/2010
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL550 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (5.5L 8cyl 7A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
At first I thought transferring from an Escalade to a 550 would be dumb, but i am wrong. The fold flat third row is a charm and it handles way better. Way more roomy third row. The only thing I miss is the heated and cooled cup holders.
Worst car I ever had, never again!!!
ahmad khalid, 06/23/2017
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
Stay away from Mercedes gl. This is a disaster car. I bought this car with minimal milage on it, after 50, 000, it started to fall apart. I had the following problems in 6 months: oil leak, sound stopped working, right mirror stopped working, rear suspensions made an explosion sound while I was driving, and many other problems. My mother in law had one and had many problems with it, but I thought she was just unlucky so I bought one, what a disaster. I was afraid driving anywhere because i was worried it was gonna break any time. I was ready to give it away for free because repairs were soooo expensive. The day I sold it (25000 dollars less), I felt so relieved. Stay away from this car.
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Great riding vehicle, keep your checkbook close by
Jeff S, 08/26/2015
updated 02/27/2017
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
If you are looking for a stylish, spacious, comfortable SUV with good highway mileage, this would be it! It took me six months to find this vehicle with the diesel engine and particular bells and whistles. We typically range between 24-28 mpg when we are on the highway using the cruise control, which happens to be one of the easiest cruise controls I have ever used, great design. My wife still thinks she is dreaming as the owner of this SUV and loves it more than any other car she has owned. Great space for sports equipment and plenty of passengers (the 9 yr. old loves his own back seat section with panorama moonroof). Now....the downsides! This vehicle was MB serviced by the previous two owners as if it was one of the family. Warranty up to 70,000 miles, when we bought it, and still runs like a top. On our 2nd long trip, only two weeks after buying it, the heating element for the AdBlu feature (Blutec) needed replacement, $1700 out the gate as the MB would not allow us to extend the warranty at the time of the repair, but the dealer gave us a small break on the price and tried to accommodate the situation. Servicing to do the brakes and for MB parts is not a cheap venture no matter what mechanic you use. Next issue was the air suspension, which we were warned about before purchasing. Front, driver side was "sagging" due to this malfunctioning and that part was $650 with labor we were about $1,000 with a very fair mechanic. I am sure the other side will go out at some point through normal wear and tear. Without the center knob to control the electronic components (phone, Nav., radio, etc.) like my other MB, this makes it very awkward to control and enter addresses. Very poor design on this component. Long and the short of it, we will bear through the expenses, diesel is cheaper for now, 20% more fuel efficient than gas, we expect to go many miles on this engine, good lines on the design and most importantly, the wife still loves it.
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Very heavy, safe, and fast for its size
Tony, 03/28/2020
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I travel a lot and wanted a safe and comfortable SUV, all I can say is, this is it, I have had most of the issues people are talking about in their reviews, the only difference is that I have 160,000 miles on mine and have done all the maintenance the way I know it should be done, forget the manual, oil should be changed every 3K miles, its a diesel, no matter what you want to call it, its 3K or you will have issues, noise on cold start ups, is a timing chain tension er you can change from the outside of the motor, who else does that, and gave way at 150K miles, minor oil leaks but never the oil cooler seals, again 3K mile oil changes work here, 6 injectors just because was not happy with performance after 160K miles, car was still running, changed out the air suspension pump 180.00 on eBay,no big deal to swap out by any shop. I now have an electrical issue somewhere after replacing injectors, but once my mechanic fixes it,, I have no intentions in trading the car in, still runs like a luxury SUV, looks like a million bucks, and performs very well and feel very safe on the highway. If you dont like to spend money on maintenance, get a low end 4 banger Nissan, bottom line this is a very expensive automobile and so is the maintenance. if this is not what your willing to sacrifice for the price of luxury and performance, stay away.
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Very nearly perfect
expdek, 09/22/2011
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
14 of 18 people found this review helpful
Having owned a variety of minivans and large SUV's over the years, we were looking at the new Dodge Durango. A trip to Carmax to check the trade value on our van allowed us to walk the lot and we were taken by a GL450. We wanted new, so went to the local MB dealer and drove the 2011 GL450. End of story, we were sold with the ride, handling, luxury, and style compared to anything we had ever seen. The dealer encouraged us to try a GL350 diesel, and that really made the deal so much better, to have this kind of performance with this kind of fuel economy.
2010 MB GL 450 4Matic with 105 miles
EFRAIN , 12/16/2019
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
2006 to 2012 GL Made In Germany 🇩🇪 / 2012 to present assemble in Alabama 🇺🇸 Luxury, Classic Power Well handle in heavy Rain, strong suspension very smooth to Drive , leather seats ok A lot of room for 7 passengers seats .. Expensive Maintenance but no Often save money for repairs whenever It needs it Engine not problems, just regular Maintenance Air Matic Suspension it’s expensive whenever you need to replace some Parts Transmission not problems,just regular maintenance Gasoline, 15 miles per galon on streets Definitely not a suv for Work if your job is far away ,, I Drive my Mb Gl 450 on the Weekends with my Family.. Very quiet in side not much noise from outside on the freeways or streets Hope this little information can help for people wants to buy a Used MB GL 450 4 Matic.. “ MB the Best or Nothing “
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I love it!
George, 03/06/2010
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL550 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (5.5L 8cyl 7A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I sold my Acura, I got this GL550, I have to say I love it! I only miss the Navigation from my MDX, it is more powerful and intuitive. I love the ride, I am surprise it feels like a sedan car, even when I tested it at 100 mph.. NICE Enough space in the third row for adults, great features, great ride..and other people comment on how beautiful it is..
If you have an endless supply of money....
Jeff S., 10/26/2017
updated 11/05/2020
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
We have had a 2010 GL350 with Bluetec for over 3 years. DEF heating components, suspension, compressors, nox sensors, etc. have continually failed and the parts and labor on these things are not cheap. MB gave us 10% off when the heating element for the DEF went out just a few thousand miles after the warranty expired. (They don't really care as evidenced on my E350's with Bluetec check engine light would not go off and triggered so many other codes to repair I had to get rid of it and go back to Lexus). I have even had those who work for MB describe some of these expensive vehicle as being "throw aways" after 75-100k miles! Be forewarned, MB does not stand behind these products and does not generally issue recalls. I have no doubt this is a safe vehicle, but you do pay for it in upkeep. Keep in mind, this is also a very heavy vehicle and I have heard of other MB 450 and 550 owners going through tires in 10-15K miles. I have found the Toyo HTs to be best and have a current set of 4 on it with over 40k miles.
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550 GL
WBL, 02/09/2010
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL550 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (5.5L 8cyl 7A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I have had the GL 550 for a week and can say it is the finest SUV I have driven. I had two GL 450s prior to this auto. It is much more powerful and comfortable to drive than any other SUV I have owned including Range Rover HSE.
Trouble some vehicle
nafresh, 06/24/2015
updated 07/02/2018
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I have 2013GL Since 2013 now after 48 months Engine and transmission start leaking oil Overall this 2013 is better than 2009 and 2011
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great suv
mike, 01/19/2010
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
smooth ride ,handling , 3rd row power fold seats.engine power is smooth
Had the suv for 4 years looks good
Has , 11/21/2019
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL550 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (5.5L 8cyl 7A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Get the good warranty for everything which I did and then your air shocks collapse and not covered because they called shock absorbers and i own a lot of Mercedes cars and suv 2011Gl 550 is a beast on the road handling is good safety is good but issues with air bags On shock are junk and Tire ware is unbelievable every winter new tires and expensive tires
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Great SUV
mike, 06/12/2010
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Better than Cadillac Escalade I had. Rides and handles way better. Easy to drive and get in and out. Easier to load cargo in rear too.
What a Luxury SUV Should Be
Mr. Jim, 04/07/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
We used to own a GMC Yukon XL Denali. That was a great roomy SUV but frankly it felt like driving a school bus around town, and long trips were kind of draining despite the fact the vehicle was roomy and comfortable. Our GL450 on the other hand has a little less room on the interior, but it is the best SUV I have ever driven. It steers and feels more like a big luxury sedan than a "truck". The seats are comfortable and look almost brand new on a car that is nearly 5 years old. There is plenty of room for our family of 5 and the third seat can be split or both side folded down to give cavernous storage room. The GL450 accelerates very well, brakes great and shifts smoothly. Some of the controls take a little getting used to and yes, it is a Mercedes so the maintenance can be a bit pricey. That said, we have had nothing major go wrong in the 2 plus years we have owned it. A couple of quirky things required fixing but were covered under the extended warranty we purchased. The GL450 has been really reliable and although the services can be costly, we always get a loaner and are treated with tremendous respect and courtesy by the Mercedes service staff. I think a lot of folks don't consider the loaner value when they complain about the cost of repairs. When I get our Ford or Buick fixed I'm usually out anywhere from $50-$100 to a rental car place. The GL450 looks great, is a safe and reliable luxury SUV.
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Care for
Timothy Allen, 11/22/2016
updated 05/22/2018
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
This has all the required service timely and fully performed. Almost new brakes, new tires and a new diesel particulate filter. Emissions inspection for 2 years 11/09/2016. Has been well taken care of with normal wear and tear. Nav system updated 11/09/2016. I Have sold the car for the maintenance after 160,000 miles became very expensive and on going every month or so.
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Made in Alabama - a place with no tradition !
Renato Rossi, 11/15/2018
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
7 of 11 people found this review helpful
I have 56 invoice receipts in only 3 years. I spent an average of $1200 per month over 3 years of ownership. Car had 85,000 miles when I purchased it. Starting from little things like sensors and all the way to full harness I have already changed half a car in parts. Engine is now seized and car is sitting for 3 months now. I still owe the bank $15,000 !!! A bunch of German idiots got together with bunch of prideless red necks and decided to build a luxury SUV.
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Great SUV
John L, 01/13/2010
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Replaced my Acura MDX with this Mercedes. Drives nearly like a sedan. Very composed and solid ride. Does not feel large at all. Interior finish is well done. The AWD feels secure on snowy and wet roads. system is more intuitive in my old Acura. Overall, happy with the vehicle so far.
Great Drive
Chi-Town, 12/07/2009
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Purchased 2010 this in November and love everything about this car. This does not drive like a large SUV. It's definitely an improvement our ML (2002). Ride is quiet and interior is well appointed. Need to get used to the Navi- so far I prefer my Garmin- although just one button and the Navi turns on and appears on a large display. Need to do something about the rear seat entrance. Sliding seats would be great as the other reviewer indicated
Blue350
Blue350, 11/19/2009
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Great truck, build quality is getting better and better. Got rid of an 08 to get the 2010, huge difference in build quality overall. Will be buying another next year as a second car, great family vehicle, kids, dog, all the junk fits and you get 27mpg on hwy if you drive below 70mph, wow!!
Excellent SUV
Jon, 01/01/2010
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Have over 3000miles and love this SUV. The bluetec diesel is just amazing. Power/torque and smoothness combination is addicting. Averaging 26mpg combined. Just came back from a trip to Lake Tahoe. SUV felt very strong and stable at high altitude and temperature in the teens. Interior is also excellent except for the 2nd row seats. They should slide and recline like those in R350.
Very smooth drive but expensive to repair/maintain
Powell, 09/16/2017
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Drives like a dream. Very reliable overall but when something does go bad the cost to repair is usually twice the highest amount you think it could be before taking it to the dealer. For example; $3K to switch out the 2 front shocks and air springs. $1K to switch out the motor on the power gate lift. Even with that extra cost it is worth it overall.
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Great car except for air ride.
Sebastiansmark, 12/17/2020
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought mine in 2015. It was a one owner. I had no issues until my first air strut went out then I replaced the two rear ones. Later I had another one go out. I talked to my mechanic and I purchased a strut master kit and now it rides on springs and shocks. It is bullets proof now. Not as smooth as the air ride but no worries. The car drives great and for the size economical and dependable for me. It has been garage kept as well but driven. It has over 150 k on it and I have my personal mechanic do all the service and he is very conservative. I had the transmission flushed at 150k and it runs even better. I was well pleased overall and I purchased a good one. Always a fun car for trips to the beach and Disney world. 3rd seat has more room than most. Selling it to a friend for a extra vehicle. I would drive it anytime to anyplace ands not worry about it. Sorry to hear others had problems. Just got a 2021 Lexus RX I would say best SUV on market in every sense.
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Another year later and I still have it & love it.
Vicki Dabney Rooney Wells, 10/06/2018
updated 04/23/2025
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is a great vehicle. I looks good and drives fantastic. It's starting to show wear in little things like the handles on the air vents in the front have broken off but I have yet to find a new car with all of the features that this car has unless I spend over 60K. The power my car has is amazing when I need to move out. It's easy for me to park and handle. The seats still heat up in the winter and are comfortable. I have a large trunk space when needed. I don't need the 3rd row of seats like I did at one time but overall this is a great car. I'll keep it until it needs something really major done to it.
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