Comparison: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 vs. 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon
01-03-2013, 01:46 PM
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2005 ML350, 2008 GL320, 2013 Gl350
Comparison: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 vs. 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon
Comparison:
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 vs. 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon
Battle of the Seven-Seat Benzes
By Erick Ayapana | January 03, 2013 |
Sometime around the mid-2000s, Mercedes-Benz decided Americans needed not just one, but two luxurious seven-seat family-haulers. First on the scene was the wedge-shaped R-Class that Benz described as a "Grand Sports Tourer," though it was widely derided as a minivan with an identity crisis. Next up was the boxy GL, which is the best-selling three-row luxury SUV in the United States. In fact, we just crowned the new GL as our 2013 SUV of the Year, marking the second time the big Benz has won the award (the first-gen GL took it back in 2007.) As senior features editor Jonny Lieberman summed up, "Mercedes has built an SUV that's better than the rest. Not just in its competitive class: The new, second-generation GL is the best new SUV on the market, period, and the winner of our prize."
While the R-Class didn't fare as well (it was pulled from the American market), we're putting the spotlight on another three-row Benz that's been around much longer than the GL or the R: the E-Class wagon. Most buyers won't cross-shop the GL and the E-Class wagon, but to discover what GL buyers are missing, we spent quality time with both all-wheel-drive three-row Benzes.
Starting from the Back -- Advantage: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450
Many kids grow up with minivans and sedans, but the lucky ones spend time riding in the third-row jump seat of an E-Class wagon. The seats, which are located in the cargo area and face backward, provide a cocoon-like environment where the rear hatch window gives a unique outside view. With headroom and legroom limited, the seats are truly meant for kids. And with passengers in the back, there's very little room left for cargo. Gear for soccer or baseball practice may fit fine, but necessities for a day at the beach might be pushing it. (A roof-mounted storage box would be a possible workaround.) On the upside, there's a respectable 29.0 cubic feet of space behind the second row when the third-row jump seat is stowed, and 57.4 cubic feet when all rear seats are folded away.
On the other hand, the GL's more conventional third row seems spacious and welcoming enough for passengers as tall as Big Bird. Better yet, the seats fold and unfold at the push of a button, and there's space for a few items in the cargo area, albeit just 19 cubic feet. Folding the third-row seats down provides 49.4 cubic feet, while stashing away both rows opens up a cavernous 93.8 cubic feet. Sure, the wagon's third row may be a fun place to be if you're a kid, but the GL is simply more comfortable and practical, and therefore wins this round.
Handling - Advantage: Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon
As expected, both Benzes are comfortable and smooth cruisers out on the normal roads. The bigger Benz, however, surprised us on our figure-eight course by achieving a time of 28.5 seconds at 0.56 g average, though we should note that our GL450 tester was equipped with a long (and pricey) list of high-tech suspension goodies including active dampers, air springs, and an Active Roll Cornering System. But the E350 wagon posted a quicker time of 26.6 seconds at 0.67 g average and did so without much of the GL's suspension magic. And while the GL450 provides a higher seating position, visibility is slightly better in the E350 wagon, making it much easier to maneuver around texting tweens in a mall parking lot or to stay within SoCal's narrow freeway lanes. The GL450's heft and monster engine means it's thirstier than the E350 wagon's EPA-rated 19/27 mpg, though the diesel-powered GL350 is rated at 19/26 mpg.
Performance -- Advantage: Mercedes-Benz GL450
On paper, a 0-to-60 mph drag race between the GL450 and E350 wagon seems like an even match. The GL weighs a whopping 5876 pounds, but has a strong and efficient 4.7-liter, twin-turbo V-8 churning out 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The E350's 3.5-liter V-6, rated at 302 hp and 273 lb-ft, is down two cylinders (and two turbos) but lugs around 1517 fewer pounds than the GL, thanks to the wagon's relatively svelte 4359-pound curb weight. On the track, the GL450 reached 60 mph in 6 seconds flat, barely beating the E wagon by 0.2 seconds. Not only is the GL surprisingly fast, but it sounds quite good, too -- drive with the windows and sunroof open and the combination of the deep exhaust growl and faint turbo whine provides a strangely entertaining sense that you're driving a refined city bus. The E350's V-6, which may be tweaked in an upcoming E-Class refresh, is quiet in most situations, but doesn't sound so great when pushed hard.
Looks and Luxury -- Advantage: Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon
If Bentley ever makes a three-row SUV, the interior might look something like our GL450 tester, which was equipped with a special Mercedes Designo Package. Indeed, it's a pricey option, but you get what you pay for: suede-like headliner, leather-wrapped dashboard and door panels, and seating surfaces wrapped in premium white leather with black diamond-patterned contrast stitching. Even without the Designo Package, the GL's interior design and build quality are noticeably better than the first-gen model. Exterior changes are subtle. It retains the outgoing model's solid and boxy look, but sports a few tweaks including a bigger grille and more chrome-like accents.
If the GL is big and flashy, then the E350 wagon is comforting and familiar. Details like the analog clock occupying the left side of the instrument panel and the hood-mounted three-pointed star ornament visible from the driver's seat are longtime Benz hallmarks not found on the GL. Buttons and switch gear are purposefully arranged, while the diagonal stitching on the door panels and ambient light provide just enough character and luxury. Exterior styling on this lower-volume vehicle is handsome, and if past Benz wagons are any indication, there's no doubt this model will still look great decades from now. We're not sure how gracefully the GL will age, so we're giving this round to the E350.
Value - Tie
In base form, the E and GL provide the typical niceties one would expect in a Benz -- dual climate control, sunroof, power tailgate, heated front seats, rearview camera, etc. Both also offer similar option packages and a la carte items such as navigation, panoramic sunroof, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Between the two, the E-Class carries the lowest starting price, at $58,605. Price of entry for the GL450 is $64,805. It'd be easy to declare the E350 wagon as the winner of this round since it's the cheapest, but some families truly need room for seven adult-sized passengers and the ability to tow a boat or traverse rocky roads, and for them the GL's premium is worth it. Owners whose third-row seats will usually be occupied by small children might be better served with the less expensive E350 wagon.
Verdict: These two seven-seat Benzes each have their strengths. While the SUOTY-winning GL is the sales leader, we think the E350 wagon deserves more consideration. Though we'd like to crown the E350 wagon as the winner, its not-quite-as-functional third-row seat gives an edge to the bulkier but impressive GL. Still, we're thankful that Benz hasn't attempted to do anything funky to its wagon, like the hunchbacked hatch BMW 5 Series GT or the pseudo off-road treatment on the Audi Allroad and Volvo XC70. Although the E and GL serve in completely different segments, the bottom line is that Mercedes-Benz has two solid and distinct family-haulers that rear passengers can look forward (or backward) to riding in.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/..._4matic_wagon/
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 vs. 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon
Battle of the Seven-Seat Benzes
By Erick Ayapana | January 03, 2013 |
Sometime around the mid-2000s, Mercedes-Benz decided Americans needed not just one, but two luxurious seven-seat family-haulers. First on the scene was the wedge-shaped R-Class that Benz described as a "Grand Sports Tourer," though it was widely derided as a minivan with an identity crisis. Next up was the boxy GL, which is the best-selling three-row luxury SUV in the United States. In fact, we just crowned the new GL as our 2013 SUV of the Year, marking the second time the big Benz has won the award (the first-gen GL took it back in 2007.) As senior features editor Jonny Lieberman summed up, "Mercedes has built an SUV that's better than the rest. Not just in its competitive class: The new, second-generation GL is the best new SUV on the market, period, and the winner of our prize."
While the R-Class didn't fare as well (it was pulled from the American market), we're putting the spotlight on another three-row Benz that's been around much longer than the GL or the R: the E-Class wagon. Most buyers won't cross-shop the GL and the E-Class wagon, but to discover what GL buyers are missing, we spent quality time with both all-wheel-drive three-row Benzes.
Starting from the Back -- Advantage: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450
Many kids grow up with minivans and sedans, but the lucky ones spend time riding in the third-row jump seat of an E-Class wagon. The seats, which are located in the cargo area and face backward, provide a cocoon-like environment where the rear hatch window gives a unique outside view. With headroom and legroom limited, the seats are truly meant for kids. And with passengers in the back, there's very little room left for cargo. Gear for soccer or baseball practice may fit fine, but necessities for a day at the beach might be pushing it. (A roof-mounted storage box would be a possible workaround.) On the upside, there's a respectable 29.0 cubic feet of space behind the second row when the third-row jump seat is stowed, and 57.4 cubic feet when all rear seats are folded away.
On the other hand, the GL's more conventional third row seems spacious and welcoming enough for passengers as tall as Big Bird. Better yet, the seats fold and unfold at the push of a button, and there's space for a few items in the cargo area, albeit just 19 cubic feet. Folding the third-row seats down provides 49.4 cubic feet, while stashing away both rows opens up a cavernous 93.8 cubic feet. Sure, the wagon's third row may be a fun place to be if you're a kid, but the GL is simply more comfortable and practical, and therefore wins this round.
Handling - Advantage: Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon
As expected, both Benzes are comfortable and smooth cruisers out on the normal roads. The bigger Benz, however, surprised us on our figure-eight course by achieving a time of 28.5 seconds at 0.56 g average, though we should note that our GL450 tester was equipped with a long (and pricey) list of high-tech suspension goodies including active dampers, air springs, and an Active Roll Cornering System. But the E350 wagon posted a quicker time of 26.6 seconds at 0.67 g average and did so without much of the GL's suspension magic. And while the GL450 provides a higher seating position, visibility is slightly better in the E350 wagon, making it much easier to maneuver around texting tweens in a mall parking lot or to stay within SoCal's narrow freeway lanes. The GL450's heft and monster engine means it's thirstier than the E350 wagon's EPA-rated 19/27 mpg, though the diesel-powered GL350 is rated at 19/26 mpg.
Performance -- Advantage: Mercedes-Benz GL450
On paper, a 0-to-60 mph drag race between the GL450 and E350 wagon seems like an even match. The GL weighs a whopping 5876 pounds, but has a strong and efficient 4.7-liter, twin-turbo V-8 churning out 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The E350's 3.5-liter V-6, rated at 302 hp and 273 lb-ft, is down two cylinders (and two turbos) but lugs around 1517 fewer pounds than the GL, thanks to the wagon's relatively svelte 4359-pound curb weight. On the track, the GL450 reached 60 mph in 6 seconds flat, barely beating the E wagon by 0.2 seconds. Not only is the GL surprisingly fast, but it sounds quite good, too -- drive with the windows and sunroof open and the combination of the deep exhaust growl and faint turbo whine provides a strangely entertaining sense that you're driving a refined city bus. The E350's V-6, which may be tweaked in an upcoming E-Class refresh, is quiet in most situations, but doesn't sound so great when pushed hard.
Looks and Luxury -- Advantage: Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon
If Bentley ever makes a three-row SUV, the interior might look something like our GL450 tester, which was equipped with a special Mercedes Designo Package. Indeed, it's a pricey option, but you get what you pay for: suede-like headliner, leather-wrapped dashboard and door panels, and seating surfaces wrapped in premium white leather with black diamond-patterned contrast stitching. Even without the Designo Package, the GL's interior design and build quality are noticeably better than the first-gen model. Exterior changes are subtle. It retains the outgoing model's solid and boxy look, but sports a few tweaks including a bigger grille and more chrome-like accents.
If the GL is big and flashy, then the E350 wagon is comforting and familiar. Details like the analog clock occupying the left side of the instrument panel and the hood-mounted three-pointed star ornament visible from the driver's seat are longtime Benz hallmarks not found on the GL. Buttons and switch gear are purposefully arranged, while the diagonal stitching on the door panels and ambient light provide just enough character and luxury. Exterior styling on this lower-volume vehicle is handsome, and if past Benz wagons are any indication, there's no doubt this model will still look great decades from now. We're not sure how gracefully the GL will age, so we're giving this round to the E350.
Value - Tie
In base form, the E and GL provide the typical niceties one would expect in a Benz -- dual climate control, sunroof, power tailgate, heated front seats, rearview camera, etc. Both also offer similar option packages and a la carte items such as navigation, panoramic sunroof, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Between the two, the E-Class carries the lowest starting price, at $58,605. Price of entry for the GL450 is $64,805. It'd be easy to declare the E350 wagon as the winner of this round since it's the cheapest, but some families truly need room for seven adult-sized passengers and the ability to tow a boat or traverse rocky roads, and for them the GL's premium is worth it. Owners whose third-row seats will usually be occupied by small children might be better served with the less expensive E350 wagon.
Verdict: These two seven-seat Benzes each have their strengths. While the SUOTY-winning GL is the sales leader, we think the E350 wagon deserves more consideration. Though we'd like to crown the E350 wagon as the winner, its not-quite-as-functional third-row seat gives an edge to the bulkier but impressive GL. Still, we're thankful that Benz hasn't attempted to do anything funky to its wagon, like the hunchbacked hatch BMW 5 Series GT or the pseudo off-road treatment on the Audi Allroad and Volvo XC70. Although the E and GL serve in completely different segments, the bottom line is that Mercedes-Benz has two solid and distinct family-haulers that rear passengers can look forward (or backward) to riding in.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/..._4matic_wagon/
01-03-2013, 08:40 PM
#2
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Interesting read. Not sure many people really are deciding between the two but I am glad the E-class wagon is sticking around in the states. Just need it to come out in a diesel though 
I think the wagon definitely has utility some people need, but not to seat 6-7 people.
I think the wagon definitely has utility some people need, but not to seat 6-7 people.
01-04-2013, 07:24 AM
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2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Good article...... For me, it's all about what you want out of a vehicle. I want the comfort and luxury for the long ride as well the ability to haul the full load of "stuff" to a remote cabin in Vermont in any kind of weather. Easy decision.....
01-04-2013, 10:07 AM
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Wagons are obviously not popular in the US compared to europe etc. I kind of wonder if demand determines supply or if supply is determining demand in the US. Meaning I hardly ever see new Wagons on the lot at any dealer here in the US. Don't think sales people discuss them much? Don't see any specials on them...
01-04-2013, 06:28 PM
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2013 E350 Wagon, prev 2005 ML 500 SE
wagon vs gl
Thanks for posting.
I compared the GLK, GL, ML, and E Wagon. For me/ my needs and wants, the E Wagon came out on top this time.
As Mbenz260e said, you sure don't see any/many E Wagons on dealer lots.
If they pushed them even a little, had some ads featuring the wagon, they'd
probably sell more.
I had a 99 ML 500 and 2005 ML 500 and loved both of them. So far, love the
E Wagon.
I compared the GLK, GL, ML, and E Wagon. For me/ my needs and wants, the E Wagon came out on top this time.
As Mbenz260e said, you sure don't see any/many E Wagons on dealer lots.
If they pushed them even a little, had some ads featuring the wagon, they'd
probably sell more.
I had a 99 ML 500 and 2005 ML 500 and loved both of them. So far, love the
E Wagon.
01-29-2013, 04:08 PM
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07 S550
Grew up riding in the back of the Oldsmobile & Buik station wagons with my little brother and want to get the e class estate but the wife thinks its wierd to have the kids ride in the back facing rear. Plus she thinks it looks old school but it's better than a minivan!!!! Now she has her eyes set on the GL, which I don't mind. I just think wagons are cool!!!
