2010 Mercedes-Benz GL Class - Quality Review

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It drives "small," but the cabin and cargo space in the GL-Class are ample enough for seven passengers seated in a 2-3-2 configuration.

The tailored cockpit has front-row seats with plenty of foot and shoulder room, and in the GL550, ventilation built into the seats. Two adults can easily find a sweet spot in the second row; three is pushing it, even if the GL is a wide body. The third row also has adult-sized room for two, and it folds out of sight at the touch of a button to boost cargo space.

With the two rearmost rows of seats out of the way, the GL-Class has 83.3 cubic feet of storage space-more than a Lincoln MKT, but about 25 cubic feet less than a GMC Yukon Denali.

There's a whiff of cost-cutting inside only when you realize the base GL350 and GL450 have vinyl seats standard. Leather seating isn't something we're used to seeing on an options list, especially in a vehicle docked on this price pier. Otherwise, it's difficult to find fault with the lushly trimmed cabin, outside of a touch of road and wind noise.

More Opinions:
Cars.com: "seats are too stiff"
Kelley Blue Book: "well-shaped and supportive"
Cars.com: "the third row shines"
Edmunds: "third-row access is also well thought-out"
ConsumerGuide: "only the right-side section of the second row slides forward for third row access, though it does create a large passageway"
Cars.com: third row "folds more or less flat, as does the second row, and the resulting load floor is free of any major gaps"
Cars.com: Cargo volume "trails some of the GL's boxiest competitors"
Detroit News: "the third row has ridiculously small cupholders that you can't adjust"
Edmunds: "quiet on the highway, with minimal wind and road noise"
ConsumerGuide: "high-quality materials...give the cabin a premium feel"