comment on this cons. report article/reliability?>.
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07' GL 320 CDI, Iridium Silver, Fully Loaded
comment on this cons. report article/reliability?>.
Nov.2006
YONKERS, N.Y., Oct. 12 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The new Mercedes-Benz GL- and R-Class luxury sport utility vehicles outpointed competitors from Volvo, Audi, and Cadillac in tests for the November issue of Consumer Reports.
The GL- and R-Class posted "Very Good" overall scores in tests against the Volvo XC90, Audi Q7, and new 2007 Cadillac Escalade. Though the Volvo, Audi, and Cadillac finished lower in the scoring, those three vehicles still posted "Very Good" scores.
Consumer Reports also tested all-wheel-drive versions of four previously tested sedans: The Volkswagen Passat 3.6 4Motion, BMW 325xi, Volvo XC70 and Subaru Outback 3.0R VDC. Of that group, the Passat received an "Excellent" overall road test score. The 325xi, Outback 3.0R and XC70 received Consumer Reports' Recommended status. All in the group are less expensive and viable alternatives to some SUVs.
"Both the GL- and R-Class vehicles offer exceptional combinations of luxury, utility and performance-at a premium price," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center.
Full tests and ratings of the luxury SUV group appear in the November issue of Consumer Reports on sale now. The complete report is also available to subscribers of http://www.ConsumerReports.org.
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Consumer Reports did not recommend any of the SUVs tested in this group because they are either too new to have sufficient owner reliability data, or have below average predicted reliability. The magazine only recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR's Annual Car Reliability Survey of its own subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.
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The GL-Class, standard with three rows of seats, provides a very high level of luxury and utility-at a price. The Mercedes- Benz GL450 ($67,820 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price as tested), the most expensive of the group, is powered by a 335-hp, 4.6-liter V8 engine that delivers 15 mpg overall on premium fuel. Its seven-speed automatic transmission sometimes hesitates and bumps into gear when downshifting. The GL has a very quiet and roomy interior. With its off-road mode, the GL easily climbed CR's rock hill despite not having a low range. Braking performance is very good.
YONKERS, N.Y., Oct. 12 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The new Mercedes-Benz GL- and R-Class luxury sport utility vehicles outpointed competitors from Volvo, Audi, and Cadillac in tests for the November issue of Consumer Reports.
The GL- and R-Class posted "Very Good" overall scores in tests against the Volvo XC90, Audi Q7, and new 2007 Cadillac Escalade. Though the Volvo, Audi, and Cadillac finished lower in the scoring, those three vehicles still posted "Very Good" scores.
Consumer Reports also tested all-wheel-drive versions of four previously tested sedans: The Volkswagen Passat 3.6 4Motion, BMW 325xi, Volvo XC70 and Subaru Outback 3.0R VDC. Of that group, the Passat received an "Excellent" overall road test score. The 325xi, Outback 3.0R and XC70 received Consumer Reports' Recommended status. All in the group are less expensive and viable alternatives to some SUVs.
"Both the GL- and R-Class vehicles offer exceptional combinations of luxury, utility and performance-at a premium price," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center.
Full tests and ratings of the luxury SUV group appear in the November issue of Consumer Reports on sale now. The complete report is also available to subscribers of http://www.ConsumerReports.org.
================================================== ======
Consumer Reports did not recommend any of the SUVs tested in this group because they are either too new to have sufficient owner reliability data, or have below average predicted reliability. The magazine only recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR's Annual Car Reliability Survey of its own subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.
================================================== ======
The GL-Class, standard with three rows of seats, provides a very high level of luxury and utility-at a price. The Mercedes- Benz GL450 ($67,820 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price as tested), the most expensive of the group, is powered by a 335-hp, 4.6-liter V8 engine that delivers 15 mpg overall on premium fuel. Its seven-speed automatic transmission sometimes hesitates and bumps into gear when downshifting. The GL has a very quiet and roomy interior. With its off-road mode, the GL easily climbed CR's rock hill despite not having a low range. Braking performance is very good.
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As I noted in my own review earlier this year, no large SUV can compare to the GL-Class in terms of both utility and performance.
Reliability could be another matter.
The 2006 survey data are in, and in general Mercedes models did poorly. No results for the GL, but the writing's on the wall.
That said, both CR's data collection and the way they report results are deeply flawed. But since I saw no signs that they are going to change how they do things, I decided to develop my own reliability research.
In a nutshell, my research uses better methods, will yield more useful results, and will be free to those who participate.
To read more about my different approach, and sign up to help out:
http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php
I'm not tracking any Mercedes models yet, but I'd like to be. I need 25 of a particular model/model year to start. Results will be issued quarterly, so with 25+ GL-Class SUVs I'll have results before CR.
Reliability could be another matter.
The 2006 survey data are in, and in general Mercedes models did poorly. No results for the GL, but the writing's on the wall.
That said, both CR's data collection and the way they report results are deeply flawed. But since I saw no signs that they are going to change how they do things, I decided to develop my own reliability research.
In a nutshell, my research uses better methods, will yield more useful results, and will be free to those who participate.
To read more about my different approach, and sign up to help out:
http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php
I'm not tracking any Mercedes models yet, but I'd like to be. I need 25 of a particular model/model year to start. Results will be issued quarterly, so with 25+ GL-Class SUVs I'll have results before CR.
Last edited by mkaresh; Nov 9, 2006 at 04:13 PM.
