Test Drive: 2013 GL63 VS 2013 Range Rover Supercharged
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 7
From: Toronto
2005 ML350, 2008 GL320, 2013 Gl350
Test Drive: 2013 GL63 VS 2013 Range Rover Supercharged
Today while I was checking on the status of my order at my dealership I noticed that they had a GL63 parked outside, first I thought maybe it was just GL63 budging ( yea people do that) but noticed it was the real thing. I spoke to my sales guy and he mentioned that this was the first and only GL63 in the country at the moment and that it had been ordered by a leasing company which cancelled the order. I had a chance to drive the car for bout 5 mins around the block
and have to say that the difference in power from the Gl550 is night and day. Acceleration is unbelievably fast and in my opinion it seemed allot faster than a Range Rover supercharged which I test drove today as well.
When comparing the two vehicles I would say the level of quality is 95% the same between the two cars but the power that the Benz puts out feel allot more. The Benz gets the advantage for the in dash screen resolution and less road noise while the Range has more "real" none plastic surfaces inside. The interior and exterior choices for the Range Rover far exceed what is offered by MB and also costs $$$$ more, one of the exterior color choices is 17,000, which is ridiculous to say the least.
For anyone contemplating going with the Range Supercharged vs the GL63 I would strongly suggest going with the GL63.... not only is it minimum 10 grand cheaper but the performance is much greater than the range, both in straight line and cornering. I have driven a 06 Range and the difference in cornering is huge between last gen and this gen but the car still feels top heavy.
From the info I received the GL63 was about 120-125k while the Range was 135 before taxes, the autobiography is just under 200k!
and have to say that the difference in power from the Gl550 is night and day. Acceleration is unbelievably fast and in my opinion it seemed allot faster than a Range Rover supercharged which I test drove today as well.When comparing the two vehicles I would say the level of quality is 95% the same between the two cars but the power that the Benz puts out feel allot more. The Benz gets the advantage for the in dash screen resolution and less road noise while the Range has more "real" none plastic surfaces inside. The interior and exterior choices for the Range Rover far exceed what is offered by MB and also costs $$$$ more, one of the exterior color choices is 17,000, which is ridiculous to say the least.
For anyone contemplating going with the Range Supercharged vs the GL63 I would strongly suggest going with the GL63.... not only is it minimum 10 grand cheaper but the performance is much greater than the range, both in straight line and cornering. I have driven a 06 Range and the difference in cornering is huge between last gen and this gen but the car still feels top heavy.
From the info I received the GL63 was about 120-125k while the Range was 135 before taxes, the autobiography is just under 200k!
Last edited by cookstar; Dec 18, 2012 at 09:20 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 96
From: Texas
2014 S550 - SOLD, 2014 GL550 - SOLD, 2014 GL63 AMG, 2015 S63 AMG Sedan, 2015 S63 AMG Coupe
Are you getting the GL63?
I am happy you liked it. Thanks for the review.
Can you please comment on the interior vs the 550. GL63 has designo interior.
I am happy you liked it. Thanks for the review.
Can you please comment on the interior vs the 550. GL63 has designo interior.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 28
From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
Pics or it didn't happen! Did you happen to take any?
Sounds like a good experience. I'm not exactly sure how the dealer has it though, the reason given just doesn't make any sense. What would make more sense is that it's a corporate model making its way to many dealers to show brief salespeople on it. But you did say it's for sale at that one dealer right now?
Sounds like a good experience. I'm not exactly sure how the dealer has it though, the reason given just doesn't make any sense. What would make more sense is that it's a corporate model making its way to many dealers to show brief salespeople on it. But you did say it's for sale at that one dealer right now?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 7
From: Toronto
2005 ML350, 2008 GL320, 2013 Gl350
The one I drove had the white Designo stitched leather which felt softer than the "real leather" I ordered on my car. I believe the Designo is 5-6 extra which seems like a good price IF you are comparing it to the Range. The Range Rover guy said that the leather is twice as think as anything Mercedes puts in the cars ( not sure if this is true as I am not a leather expert), to me the leather felt better on the GL and looked better due to the diamond stitching.
The 550 I drove back in October had the Tobacco Brown which is a bit rougher than the designo, I think the Designo is both softer and thicker and looks a million times better with the diamond stiching. I think the GL63 had a different type of black fabric for the roof liner (looked better than the $250 black roof liner option), I think it might have been synthetic suede.
I am a really picky person when it comes to buying cars and in my honest opinion I think the GL is a much better vehicle than anything in the same class on the market today, if you can justify paying 6 grand for the designo than go for it, its quite unique and many people dont even know what designo is, in Canada its not even advertised as an option unless you know what your looking for and specifically ask for it ( even from the premier dealers). I would not go with it solely because it is the wife and kids that use it.
Pics or it didn't happen! Did you happen to take any?
Sounds like a good experience. I'm not exactly sure how the dealer has it though, the reason given just doesn't make any sense. What would make more sense is that it's a corporate model making its way to many dealers to show brief salespeople on it. But you did say it's for sale at that one dealer right now?
Sounds like a good experience. I'm not exactly sure how the dealer has it though, the reason given just doesn't make any sense. What would make more sense is that it's a corporate model making its way to many dealers to show brief salespeople on it. But you did say it's for sale at that one dealer right now?
Last edited by cookstar; Dec 18, 2012 at 09:51 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 96
From: Texas
2014 S550 - SOLD, 2014 GL550 - SOLD, 2014 GL63 AMG, 2015 S63 AMG Sedan, 2015 S63 AMG Coupe
Thank you so much for your comments. It is interesting to note that the GL63 cookstar sat in had the designo quilted pattern - it sounds like the color was porcelain. I do have a GL with porcelain on order. I was not aware MB is doing a quilted pattern on a 63. I hope they do as I like that look better - maybe it's different for US. I would have to wait and find out.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 401
Likes: 11
From: Chicagoland
2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo, 2020 GLC 63, 2014 Audi S6, 2014 GL63; past 2019 M5 and 2011 E63
Cookstar, you lucky dog. . .
I have to agree with xxGenericSNXX though, that has to be an MB corporate car as none have been allocated for sales to any dealers as of yet.
Cookstar, what was the exterior color - just curious.
I have to agree with xxGenericSNXX though, that has to be an MB corporate car as none have been allocated for sales to any dealers as of yet.
Cookstar, what was the exterior color - just curious.
Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
2015 Mase Ghibli SQ4. 2013 Range Rover Supercharged
I was waiting for GL63 forever, and my dealer told me that won't be available for about 1year. So I compared between 2013 GL550 and Range Rover Supercharged. I decided to got a Range Rover. after a month driving that Range, i gotta say it's best SUV i have ever drive. much softer, quieter, less body roll in corner. and the new Meridian systems in the Range just much better than H/K in GL550. (i had 2010 Gl550, 11 Range Rover Supercharged. so i have experiences w both vehicles)
the only thing is the Range only has 5 seats, and a lot less technology than the GL550.
the only thing is the Range only has 5 seats, and a lot less technology than the GL550.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 96
From: Texas
2014 S550 - SOLD, 2014 GL550 - SOLD, 2014 GL63 AMG, 2015 S63 AMG Sedan, 2015 S63 AMG Coupe
I was waiting for GL63 forever, and my dealer told me that won't be available for about 1year. So I compared between 2013 GL550 and Range Rover Supercharged. I decided to got a Range Rover. after a month driving that Range, i gotta say it's best SUV i have ever drive. much softer, quieter, less body roll in corner. and the new Meridian systems in the Range just much better than H/K in GL550. (i had 2010 Gl550, 11 Range Rover Supercharged. so i have experiences w both vehicles)
the only thing is the Range only has 5 seats, and a lot less technology than the GL550.
the only thing is the Range only has 5 seats, and a lot less technology than the GL550.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
2015 Mase Ghibli SQ4. 2013 Range Rover Supercharged
I don't know. I asked them back in October. and SA told me that GL63 won't be on the market until sometimes by end of 2013??? They said all GL450 w high optioned and GL550 are sold also.
