hcden

This month's Motor Trend features comparison between GL450, Slade and LR3. Audi Q7 was not included coz it didn't make it on time of test. Testers were surprised that the GL450 matched Slades 0-60 accelation 6.4 secs. LR3 was 8.8 secs. It beats the cadillac in 0-100, quarter mile, passing time and braking. Damn I was shock too to see that GL450 can matched that 400+HP Cadillac.
In the end, GL came in first, LR3 2nd and Escalade third. They like everything about the GL, i.e. engine, 7 speed, seating configuration, space, comfort, performance etc. The only negative comments about GL is the complicated Command system and no leather seats despite its $68,000+ as tested price.

gothebenz

If you were in a race with someone in the exact same car as you, same fuel amount, a/c off, etc. except you had 3 other people in car with you who do you think would win the race? You would need an engine with more horsepower and torque just to even out the race. The Slade is around 600 HUNDRED POUNDS HEAVIER than the GL-450 so its the same as carrying around 3/4 extra people with you. I knew even before I saw this test the GL would beat the slade for this simple fact. A lot of people dont concider the weight just the horse power/torque. A construction truck probably has 400/500 hp but you could beat one 0-30 on a bike : )

jayj

very interesting. mbusa sites 0-60 for gl to be 7.4 secs. good to see its significantly faster then the manufacturer's numbers. considering gl only has 335hp, it is surprising that it beats the escalade despite the weight difference.

Germancar1

If this GL450 is a hit (which I think it will be) then get ready for the scorching GL550 next year with 382hp and a 85K loaded price I'm betting.

M

hcden

Heres an Edmunds review of Escalade comparing it to GL450.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=115128

LETO

edmunds is very conservative on their 0-60 times, example : edmunds got a 0-60 of 5 sec when they tested the SLK55 AMG, compared to Road and track, who got 4.5 and 4.3 sec.

The GL is surprisingly quick. The RR Supercharged does not get under 7 sec if I am correct.......is the GL quicker than the 90k Rover (the rover is heavy as hell,......but it does have brembos, and breaks amazingly)

gothebenz

So is Mercedes in their own testing. Most of MB published 0-60 times for thier cars is almost always slower than when they are tested independently. When I see MBs 0-60 for a car I almost always feel you can take another .5 to a full second off that.

Val678

Anyone want to post a link to this article?

I can't find it anywhere on the net!

Thanks

carpersn

out to subscribers at the same time, so almost a week later, i have to get mine.

LRRPJOE

Buy the Magazine.

Val678

I went to the store.

I saw the motor trend mag. I didn't see a article on the GL VS. LR3 vs. slade.

So yeah!

hiddenvalue

I want to read that article, too.

I got my GL a couple of weeks ago.
How do I like it? Simply put-I LOVE IT!

Val678

Yes,

I got a copy of Motor Trend!

I just cant belive 6.4 0-60.

LAtes

LETO

Got the copy yesterday......a very good review indeed. They loved the GL. I cant understand why MB would hand over a car without leather to a prominent magazine like motor trend (i know they are very proud of the Mbtex stuff.....but MT is right, after a certain price point leather should be standard, you can still have premium leather as a option, but synthetics are a big NO).

I was in manhatten over the weekend and saw a couple escalades. Have to say that it finally has my attention after three body morphs. It is a handsome truck. The LR3 on the other hand, eventhough MT claims is a bargain is too cheap looking and plasticky on the instide for mid 50's. You are just better off paying the extra cash and getting a RR sport if you dont need third row seats. Besides 8.8 sec to 60 is just abyssmal. I know SUV's are not performance machines but I dont want to fall asleep trying to merge!

gothebenz

I think MB either wanted to keep the "as tested" price down. Or looked at the seats and not the sticker and though it "was" leather before sending it off to MT.

Was in the dealer and saw some GLs with more options included. One was the premium leather. Could barely tell it from the MBTEX. I for one dont care and am glad I did not have to pay it. If you have kids MBTEX will clean up far easier and is mostly maintenance free. Will look the same 5/10 years from now. Cant say the same for leather. I like MBTEX. Dont want to spend the time to properly care for leather. I think MB made a good choice. Only the napa will provide you with a huge difference.

The options provide for 2 MB audiences. Married ones who are in thier 40s, have multiple kids, made an income that supports a $55K-$65K car, will buy GL s that are none or slightly optioned since they dont care that much since they are already married and so the impress factor of additional options is moot. Thats me I am talking about.

And the younger single or married, no kid or one kid couples. (Me a few years ago) The kids gone by, by, older, now I can enjoy my life lets load this sucker up crowds.

Now this is a very sterotyped view and of course a lot of us fall outside that range. Buy the cluster of numbers seem to stick on those lines. Heck, read these forums and see who the participents are. Would not be suprised if MB marketing uses them.

Remember, based on options you can have a $25k difference in price. Thats like going to a dealer and buying a base GL AND say a honda accord. Now I like my options too. Based on the "do I really use it" factor I have seen over the pass few years of fully loaded cars I have bough I think next time I get a GL I will add memory seats, power liftgate and keyless go. Oh and maybe those 20s, heh. But all of them I have really enjoyed and there is nothing like having the car you want the way you want it. You can always look back on those days and remember when...

I think the mistakes would only have been to 1. Not have leather at all. 2. Only have napa leather. At least leather is an option. Bet you in the 2nd, 3rd generations napa is an option on not just premier additions. If the MB buyers complain, MB listens. Eventually.

They also had ambient lighting on some. Said it was only $150 on the sticker, huh, sign me up, but I still have not seen it ON yet. Anyone have a picture of this, uh, from a GL that is.

LETO

nappa will likely be an option. the SLK launch edition had nappa as a option and it showed up in 06 as a option for the 350.

You are right that the car is very configurable. It is just that I felt a lot had to be added to bring it to par with what i would expect from this car. Having said that I am very satisfied with the premiere edition that I am getting. The nappa was the deal closer for me. It just felt more luxurious.

gothebenz

The first years always have a slower option line for MB. Since they have to tool up. Order quanities of these materials to get a good price and some of the stuff is truly expensive, ie. real wood. So if you dont get enough you dont get as good of a price or order too much of something people dont want you are stuck with it. MB will "feel out" the market of a model and add the more expensive options if thats what people want (they always want napa) and above all, it sells well.

We are lucky the GL shares a lot of the same with the ML in production plant and guts. I have less of a "first year phoebia" since in reality the tranny, guages, electric is not really first year at all. Its however old the new ML is less the engine. That also lends itself as to why the standard options list in the GL is so good. They have proven numbers for the ML and since they share a lot of the same stuff as the GL the quantity discount and risk factors work out favoralbly. So if the GL sucks "it already hasnt" use the stuff on the ML. I also think the ML profit margin is supporting a more competitively priced GL.

I also feel MB has more initial confidence in the GL sales than the R class. The options seem to show that since many people complained about the R class first year options. Dont think MB wanted the "we are stuck with them" senario, which it looks like they have with that one.

Also MB always adds more and more each year to a class. The reason is to keep the value across the years of the line. The 07 will have the value that it looks like the 2012. The 2012 will have the most options and best of the GL line so far but in 2013 the new GL series will be out. Remember the last of the old MLs and that special limited addition black one they had with all the additional options and specials. It was to make people not "wait for the new model"

The 2012 year I just pulled out of my head, dont know when there will be a new GL model

rstone

Well before you run out and buy a escalade you might want to consider these numbers.

LETO

i think there are many other reasons other than that..............poor buick, people wont even steal em

G/R_Wagon

HEY! don't give away the results any more! you ruined the whole article for me GGRRR! its ok just please don't do it again.

Bundy

I believe the 6.4 0-60. When I test drove it, it seemed amazingly quick for it's size. Not as fast as my E500 but very acceptable.

EFant

Good. Maybe no one will steal my Vibe. It is a great scoot about car, and great on gas. I love it!!!