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Accountancy in Motion
Mercedes Benz GL

The most common misconception is referring to the GL as the ML's big brother. Yes, the “GL” does look like a grown up version of the ML and they both have the Mercedes Benz build and reliability, but, that's as far as the similarities go.

The “GL” is a seven seater vehicle that seems to have become the latest status symbol amongst the “Sandton” kugels. Whenever you go past a school in the area you will inevitably see one on the pavement, which is quite a shame, as this vehicle was not designed to be a soft roader.

Inside, you have all the creature comforts and more. Impressive features of the GL are the dual screens for the rear passengers, including a separate DVD player that is installed in the bottom end of the front seat armrest. What makes this so impressive is the wireless headphones and input jacks for playstaions on each screen, absolute bliss. No longer “are we there yet”. The only problem was the kids never wanted to leave the vehicle, even when we reached home!

In other similar seven seater vehicles, the biggest problem is the folding and lifting of the third row of seats, one has to stretch your back in order to lock these seats into place due to the sheer distance between the boot opening and the lever to raise the seat. Well, if, like me, this made you either leave the seats erected or folded all the time, then you will be pleased to know that this is no longer the case in the GL. All that it takes to elevate or fold away the seats is a touch of a button, which is located in both the boot and the rear panel behind the second row of seats, making seven seats all that more fun to use.

The inside layout is typical Mercedes with solid feel and build quality. The leather covered dashboard adds to the overall feel of quality and feeling of “upper class”. Added to this is the high driving position of the vehicle, making you feel dangerously almost invincible.

On the road the vehicle drives like many a soft roader, except for the cornering which is a lot more stable thanks to the active suspension that is manually controlled by the driver allowing one to lower and raise the vehicle depending on the driving conditions with which one is faced. I have to admit, the Joburg potholes were no match for the vehicle's sheer size, it was almost like I was driving on a tar road?

This vehicle may surprise many, as this is no soft roader. Thanks to its lockable double differential and low range selection, one can go almost anywhere. The little that I ventured off road was quite a surprise, as, apart from handling anything I threw at it with ease, it almost felt like as if I was on a road as opposed to the off the beaten path.

The 3,5 litre diesel motor is more than enough for the normal person, however, if you're looking for the ultimate towing vehicle with a bit more grunt I would suggest the 500, if you don't mind the fuel bill!

The 350 is by no means a cheap entry-level vehicle but, rather, a premium top-end all road vehicle. I would not recommend this vehicle for everyday short distance city driving - not because it's hard to drive, but, rather, due to it sheer size making it rather difficult to manoeuvre in urban centres. The feedback from the steering is not as precise as I would have liked, however, it came into its element off road. The road illumination is brilliant especially with the see-around the corner system that automatically turns the headlights in the direction that one is driving.

My time spent with the GL transformed my view of off road vehicles. No longer do you have to carry kidney belts when venturing off road or, have a separate vehicle for road trips - although I would suggest a smaller vehicle for running around. All in all, the best of both worlds!

Vehicle courtesy of Mercedes Benz SA.

Azim Omar CA(SA) is a member of the SAGMJ.

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Comment(s)

  • Penuel
    29 July 2010

    Iam pleased to hear a range of Mercedes that offers offroad performance as mentioned in the GL, I thought Mercedes was meant for luxury & not offroad performance! Well if the GL offers all that & more then there is no better deal heard of!!

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