Against a field of 11 competitors for the coveted 2013 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year® award, one clear winner stood above the rest, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. In Motor Trend’s annual weeklong SUV battle royale, Sport/Utility offerings from various manufacturers are put through a battery of tests, outlining six criteria that provide objective insight into scoring the best of the best.
The six key criteria comprising the competition are Design Advancement, Engineering Excellence, Performance of Intended Function, Efficiency, Safety, and Value, all playing important roles in selection of the vehicle worthy of the distinction. Scoring highest overall, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, regardless of package or engine option, proved to do “more of what we expect an SUV to do” according to Motor Trend’s Frank Markus.
Available with a 240hp diesel V-6 in the GL350 BlueTEC, 362hp or 429hp biturbo gasoline V-8’s in the GL450 and GL550 respectively, matched to a reengineered paddle-shift 7-speed automatic transmission providing smoother shifting and higher efficiency, all available packages were tested, and were collectively impressive throughout the competition. For those looking for efficiency, the BlueTEC equipped model returned an impressive 18.5mpg, besting several competitors equipped with smaller, less powerful engine options.
Beyond power and off-road capability, the GL-Class didn’t disappoint on the open road either. Drives down the highway and through winery roads, used as the proving grounds for testing, gave testers seat time to enjoy the beautifully engineered chassis and suspension. According to Motor Trend’s Mike Floyd, the 2013 GL-Class provides “An ueber-smooth ride, even in sport mode. You just float down the highway on a cloud and in silence.”
Hearing the glaring accolades from these seasoned testers can surely give you a sense of what Motor Trend’s 2013 Sport/Utility of the Year®, the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, has to offer, but the easiest way to understand what makes the GL-Class experience marvelous, is to simply get behind the wheel and enjoy it for yourself. For more information on the 2013 GL-Class, or to schedule a test drive, visit us at your nearest Park Place Motorcars location in Dallas, Ft. Worth, or Grapevine, or on our website at www.ParkPlaceTexas.com. If you are interested in purchasing a ne GL-Class, click here to view our 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Inventory.