Seating & Cargo
The front seats have a litany of power adjustments, including optional side-bolster adjustments. Even with the bolsters and lumbar support dialed all the way back, I found the seats stiff. That's typical in German cars, but in a large SUV I prefer cushier seats. The GL has the kind of seats that hold you in place during spirited driving; expert road manners notwithstanding, I'm not sure many GL-Class drivers are going to carve corners.
I compared seating in a GL-Class, QX56, Escalade and Lexus LX 570 at an auto show, and the front seats of all three competitors suited me better than the GL's. Second-row space in the GL seems on par with the competition — I'm about 6 feet tall, and I had no complaints — but it's the third row that shines. Legroom and headroom in the GL are leagues better than in the others, and the GL's seats sit high enough that passengers aren't staring at their knees. The Lincoln Navigator is perhaps the only competitor that has as much third-row room. As craftsmanship goes, there is no competition: The GL's third row boasts reading lights, overhead A/C vents, a fixed skylight and leather-wrapped armrests. It puts the other SUVs' third-row décor to shame.
All trim levels have a power-folding 50/50-split third row. It folds more or
less flat, as does the second row, and the resulting load floor is free of any
major gaps. Maximum cargo volume is 83.3 cubic feet, which considerably trails
some of the GL's boxiest competitors.
Cargo Volume Compared
Max. seats Behind 3rd row (cu. ft.) Behind 2nd row (cu. ft.) Behind 1st row (cu.
ft.)
Mercedes GL-Class 7 14.3 43.8 83.3
Lexus LX 570 7 15.5 41.0 83.1
Cadillac Escalade* 7 16.9 60.3 108.9
Lincoln Navigator* 7 18.2 54.5 103.3
Infiniti QX56 7 20.0 56.7 97.1
*Regular-length models.
Source: Automaker data for 2009 models.
See also:
Shifting to neutral N
- When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
- Push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
If the engine has been switched off, the
automatic transm ...
Jump-starting
WARNING
Failure to follow these directions will cause damage to the electronic
components, and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while conne ...
Notes on regularly inspecting wheels
and tires
WARNING
Regularly check the tires for damage.
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If ...