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2013 Nissan Altima: First Drive
It's been twenty years since Nissan decided the old Stanza nameplate had had enough, and brought... Read More
2013 Nissan Altima: First Drive
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The biggest Benz SUV of them all is Germany's answer to the Chevy Suburban--just slicker, and greener.
For 2011, the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class hasn't changed much, and since our editors enjoy its roomy interior, friendly handling and entertainment features, we're awarding it a score of 7 here at FamilyCarGuide--despite the fact that it's a pricey machine, fuel economy isn't a strong point except in the diesel version.
The GL-Class was envisioned as the replacement for the military-grade G-Class, but it evolved into something more plush, if almost as off-road capable. It shares its platform with the ML-Class and R-Class utility vehicles, and it's built in Alabama alongside them, and as such, it's due for a major update in the 2012 model year.
For now, the GL-Class continues to impress us with a rich, upscale interior with plenty of room for seven passengers of all ages. The front seats are exceptionally comfortable, and the tall driving position creates great angles of visibility over the GL's angular front fenders. The middle row of seats is nearly as spacious, with great leg room and just a touch more step-in height than you'd find in something like a Ford Flex. The third-row seat's mainly for children, and it's fairly easy to get into--more so than the biggest GM SUVs. You can't even get a seven-seat Range Rover, either. Both the rear and middle rows of seats fold down to create a nearly flat load floor and more than 80 cubic feet of space for tugging home a load of antiques or wine or all the flat-screens you could fit in a sports bar.
Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has crash-tested a GL-Class, but safety's traditionally been a Benz strong suit. The GL also piles on the safety-tech options: aside from curtain airbags and stability control, it's also fitted or available with blind-spot detectors, parking sensors, a rearview camera, and adaptive cruise control.
