Mercedes-Benz GLS350 CDI Test Drive Reivew

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Date: 20 June 2016 | Author:

Category:	Large 4x4
Key rival:	Range Rover
P11D:	£82,345
On sale:	April 2016

Mercedes' new naming strategy sees its largest off-roader renamed GLS - 'GL', meaning an off-roader, while 'S' relates it back to the S-class luxury saloon in terms of the brand's family of cars.

So, given that the S-class is about as good as it gets in terms of automotive transport, the GLS has a lot to live up to.

The interior delivers on that lineage, with this mid-spec Designo Line model fitting between the entry AMG Line - also with the 258hp 3.0-litre diesel - and the top-spec AMG GLS 63, toting just the 585hp from its 5.5-litre engine. Designo Line comes with what Mercedes calls diamond pattern quilting on the leather seats, as well as no less than four choices of wood finish, four-zone climate control taking in the third row of seats, and even temperature-controlled cupholders.

CO2 is cut by 10g/km compared with its GL-class-branded predecessor, scraping below 200g/km, which still means the maximum 37% BIK banding. By comparison, a Range Rover is down at 182g/km for the same power figure, although that can't offer seats for seven.

The GLS is at its best when not hurried, although the Active Curve System, designed to reduce the rolling motion of the vehicle in corners, does seem to work well in controlling the body roll.

The only logical rival for the GLS is the Range Rover; other than that you're into luxury saloon territory. The Rangie's 17g/km emissions advantage equates to a 3.7mpg fuel economy deficit for the Mercedes. But, this middle-spec Designo Line trim level is nearly £5000 cheaper than a Range Rover Vogue SE, which is only half a percentage point better on the residual value, and that means a decisive 2.3p per mile swing towards the GLS in whole-life cost terms.

The GLS is supremely classy, spacious, has lavishly appointed and comfortable seating and is kitted out to the hilt. Its only problem is that it's competing in maybe the one top-end sector where the Mercedes badge is trumped, and the Range Rover is fundamentally more desirable. At this end of the market, that couple of pence a mile doesn't dissuade punters from choosing the most alluring model.