My just married wife is a little discouraged about the 13 City and 17-18 mpg. Since we have children on the way she wants an SUV that is comfortable and efficient. My current car is a 2007 S550 4matic and the government says that it gets 14/21 and for me it gets better than 17/22. Thank You!

Why not get the bluetec gl320?

Avg 17 MPG over first 25 K miles in mixed driving.

Even if it avg'd 22 mpg, buying any $60- 80K vehicle- even the GL Bluetec is not the most financially smart move anyway, because cars are bought for many other reasons , unless she is a closet greenie and THAT'S why it bothers her.

I've had mine just under two weeks and so far, with about 550 miles on the odo, am averaging ~15MPG mixed in town and highway driving.

If efficiency is a consideration, a full sized SUV like the GL isn't going to serve the purpose very well.

I think the GLK/Q5/X3/XC60 class is probably worth her consideration for a compromise.

If you want efficiency and luxury, Look at a GL 320. There's no other 7 passenger SUV that can touch it, not even the hybrids. We have 38K and have consistantly averaged 22 mpg, mixed highway and city. That's better than a GLK, which is a much smaller vehicle.

I agree, the GL320 gives you the best mileage for 7 passenger, however, if you need only 6 passengers, the Toyota Highlaneder Hybrid Limited gives you 3 more miles and the driving is comparable. We used to have one, but we moved to the GL 320 becuase we needed more space.

same here ...between 15-17 in city, about 21/22 on the highway (avg 75 or 80 MPH)

I consistently average around 17 miles per gallon in my daily commute to work which is part highway/part city. I have gotten as high as 22 on the highway. In my opinion these are pretty good numbers for a full size SUV. I was getting around 13 city 17 highway with my Yukon Denali for comparison purposes.......

I can't say that I have been in a Highlander Hybrid but I have been in my inlaws 2010 Highlander. Although a nice car, IMO it is a loooooong way from being a comparable drive as the GL. I wouldn't consider it a luxury car at all.

Now if they ever come out with an oil burner in their Lexus LX 570, that would be something to contend with.

But then you'd have to " contend " with what is arguably the dorkiest looking rear end in all of SUV-dom.

Mine is about 22-23 in mixed city/highway driving. Getting just shy of 600 miles on a tank of oil. And it's only 2400 mile into its life. Looking for better mileage after the break in.

scottybdiving:

I understand your disbelief. But I was also impressed when I drove it . The difference between the driving of a Highlander and a Highlander HYBRID LIMITED is enormous. Different engine, transmission, seats, etc. It is like comparing a driving of a C-Class and a E-Class.

I do not have it anymore. I am a happy owner of a GL and an E-350. But I would definitely recommend the NEW version of the Highlander Hybrid Limited (2008-2010).

SUV-dom?

alvillar2000. I'll just have to take your word for it. A hybrid just isn't in my forseeable future.

For the purposes of comparison, I don't think that people who shop a GL would even consider a Highlander. I think conversely a Highlander shopper wouldnt do the opposite. I ordered a GL350Bluetec and quite honestly I don't think there is anything comparable out there in terms of luxury, size and efficiency, not to mention the stellar rep for durability that MB diesels have. I think your talking apples and oranges in the target audience these two vehicles are trying to reach.

On our 09 GL450 we have average around 11.8 mpg, our driving is mostly local and we have about 10,000 miles on it.

On highway trips we get 19 mpg but that is a rare thing ... overall this thing likes gas and a lot of it.

Are we talking the new E or the old E versus the new C ?

This is a strange comparison because the old E drive's kind of on the disconnected side where the C feels in touch with the road.

OTOH I haven't driven the new E but I have a feeling they gave it more of a driver's feel ...

the passengers in the rear most seats that much. Check out the clearance between the rear-most headrest and the back of the car...at most 5 or 6 inches. We actually looked at the car and once I noticed that, we left. If you want a highlander hybrid or whatever highlander, it really is only a 4 or 5 passenger car at most.

Bryan