CAMIV

Hi,

This is my first post on MBW, and I wanted to than you all and MBW for the opportunity to join such an awesome site.

I'm currently in the market for a new GL. I was wondering if anyone was aware of how similar the current GL400 is to the upcoming GL450 (both have the V6). I'm currently in an '09 Suburban, so in moving to a GL I was hoping for improved ride quality, performance, and efficiency (all of which I am sure to attain).

I don't need 500+ HP. I don't need 500 ft-lb. What I was hoping for was an efficient family hauler with performance, and an ability to go around 500 miles without a fill up.

I know the 350 is efficient, and I know the 550 is a better performer. I'm hoping to be somewhere in the middle of performance and efficiency, and the new 450 seems like the ticket. Would that be an accurate assessment based on all available information?

This link has some info on the current GL400 overseas. It mentions performance similar to current 450, with 24+mpg efficiency, and a quick 0-60 of 6.5 sec. Torque being similar to the current 450.

http://autonetmagz.net/mercedes-benz...features/6640/

Thank you

cadetdrivr

This is pretty much the $64K question these days.

I don't think we'll have the definitive answer until we can compare the north american spec 2015 450 (400 everywhere else) against the outgoing 2014 450 or 2015 350/550.

fabbrisd1

I have one in transit now - let you know next week.

Frankly OP - if you're looking for fuel economy the GL350 rocks-a-lot and get in line now if you want one before Christmas !

Young04

If the US-spec GL450 will have the overseas' GL400 power numbers, I would hope that MB would lower the price of the car (although others here have said that the output numbers will be the same).

CAMIV

The 2015 efficiency ratings are 17 city, 21 highway for the 450. I received the info today from the salesman at MB.

fabbrisd1

Well.. interesting info on the 17/21 since the Federal fuel economy results for the "new" GL450 have not been completed or released yet...

ogre.

As fabbrisd1 says, if you want economy then the only real choice is the gl350. The 400/450 is not in the middle for economy, as the 350 is very different from the others. But if you have never had a diesel then it is very different to get familiar with in other ways.

To get the economy the EPA milage states, you have to drive at low revs. For a diesel, low revs are how you drive anyway. Why get the gasoline engine if you want low revs as the fun in a gasoline engine is how it drives when you use revs.

The difference in revs is why the real world mileage for the diesel is more of a step up than the EPA figures alone reveal.

But it is a diesel. Quite at speed but noisy when you are going slow. Great in gear acceleration but sucks getting away from stopped. A different experience.