cookstar

The ultimate review we have been waiting for!

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...benz_gl63_amg/

JAQ1

But the RR SC doesn't seat 7, does it?. I don't know why they keep putting these cars in the same categories. If I didn't need a 7-seater, I wouldn't be buying the GL. Same with X5 and Porsche Cayenne. But I truly find it hard to believe there is anything WORSE than the COMAND system! Really?

vertrkr

I hear ya about the COMAND system. I considering, gasp, the 2014 Dodge Durango. It has a 8.4 inch center touch screen and a 7 inch speedometer cluster screen you can customize to show a variety of different screens if you don't want the traditional analog speedometer, very cool. I love MB for their superior mechanical systems but their dash system/electronics are clunky at best. Fiat owns Dodge/Chrysler now but at least they own Ferrari too.

JAQ1

Have you driven a Durango? I tried it too and really wanted to love it, but with no SRT version it's just not powerful enough. I am so used to the power of the 550, and frankly a little scared about 550hp in the GL63, but can't go back to underpowered SUVs. I love the Chrysler entertainment system. It's in our Dodge truck and my Ferrari Cali. Such a great GUI and so easy to connect to. If Dodge made an SRT version, I would be all over that!

sbkim

What about Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8? I wish it were around 50s vs 60s...

vertrkr

Plan to this week. Fortunately for me I've never driven a car with more than 250HP so I have no idea what I'm missing. I need cargo space to haul around my sports crap so I've always had wimpy trucks and large SUVs in the past. I'd like the Jeep but it's just a little to small in the cargo space.

Damn, more I look at that 2014 Durango the more I like it. Having had a touch screen system for the last 8 years I don't think I could take a step backwards and no have it. I keep hearing good things about that Chrysler uConnect GUI. Having setup my Parents in their 2013 ML350 a few weeks ago the COMAND system just drove me nuts. Specially trying to make a voice call, it's a 3 step process. First you have to be on the Tele screen, then say "Call name" then look at the screen and say the name again or line number.

There could be an August Designo build slot up for grabs real soon :-)

JAQ1

Not a 7 seater. No deal for me with 4 kids, 2 big dogs, and all their friends!

JAQ1

Well, you will love the Durango then! Look at the Citadel edition. It is a great looking car. Not as quiet inside as the Merc. Doesn't feel as solid. Don't think it has massaging seats

The UConnect is awesome. Have it in 2 cars and wish it were in all of them. So easy to use and all touch screen. No getting to all those different screens with that little button on COMAND.

I think I'll go drive it again too, just to be sure.

vertrkr

With my kids I never notice how quite a car is. Maybe I'll spring for their HEMI 360HP engine. Definitely I'll get the Citadel and I love their flip up monitors in the back of seats instead of the headrest type.

http://www.dodge.com/en/2014/durango

JAQ1

That's what I'm thinking. At least you have a V8 then. And yes, the flip up monitors are best and have inputs as well. And there's a very nice red color~

I guess we've officially gone !

Dalema

Hehe - quite off topic - but was interesting for me to read as hadn't even thought these would be alternative considerations - are they (?). You should give the discussion a separate discussion thread.

On the topic in this thread - I scanned the article quickly. Seemed as though they were surprised that the GL63 was on the same playing field, noted that it was and in some cases better, but couldn't get their heads around that and concluded the RR was preferable.

I think again it comes down to what the individual buyer is looking for.

wamochi

personally i've never cared for the overall looks of the RR . its rear end hangs out over the rear tires really far. the GL looks so much more balanced.

the GL's front and rear fascia are so "finished" and the RR looks lacking. also part of the finishing touches - aluminum roof rails and running boards.

South Ocean1

JAQ1

When I read your post I said to myself - you nailed it. I love the looks of the GL, and all that it can do, but I would not be buying a GL unless I needed three rows (and three rows that really can fit people with luggage space behind - which the new RR Sport with the third row jump seat does not really have). If I want a performance oriented full size three row SUV, there is no other option . . . I appreciate that most don't need or want a performance full size SUV, but I sure am glad MB decided to make this one . . .

JAQ1

Me, too! I keep thinking how silly it is to want this much power in an SUV, but dang it, this is probably the last SUV I will need (youngest is 13 next month and so they'll all be drivers in 3 years) and I want to go out with my boots on. Then I can buy a Tesla and make up for all the damage I've done to the environment by having all these kids.

JimBarnhart

Get a GL350 and you can rest a little easier knowing your carbon footprint is somewhat better.

JAQ1

Is that the diesel engine? Oh, I have friends with one and they've had nothing but problems. Has yours been good?

sraza

having had a fully loaded Range and now with the GLs, total of 5 GLs the immediate family (3 550s and 2 450s) and having had a personal inspection of the new Range, as I'm always looking for a reason to get one; I have to say the exterior is nothing but disappointing, the new Tata company take over has very effectively negatively impacted the looks of this car- it doesnt matter to me that it looks like an explorer- the explorer actually looks better. Lights are oddly designed and interior though nice couldve been muuuuch better..
I do have love and respect for the Range but at that price, no 3rd row and this exterior makes it a no no for me- if i had to get a 'statement SUV' with 2 rows i'd get the G class, for need of performance - the cayenne turbo/s...
my 2 cents..

cookstar

The RR autobiography in Toronto costs over $200,000, the interior quality of leather is superior to that of the GL (even Designo) but the $40,000 Ford Explorer look and touch screen is really a shame. Its also under-powered.

JoeMa

I test drove the RR Supercharger and did not get the hype surrounding this vehicle. It does not fit a large man like myself nearly as well as a GL and on the road I feel the GL is more behaved and civil. As for the interior, I definitely prefer the GL. The RR is again more show than function and cannot compete when it comes to room (no 3rd row). I also agree with some of the comments about the exterior looking like a Ford. Or maybe its the other way around? To each his own.

JimBarnhart

Yes, the GL350 is bluetec diesel. 11,000 miles, no problem so far. I haven't heard much bad about the diesel itself, whether X164 or X166.