Category: Large 4x4s 
Price Range: £67,485 to £67,485
Road presence, performance, Mercedes image
Absolutely huge exterior, but cabin not that roomy; M-Class is better-looking
Only consider the GL if you absolutely have to have seven seats and off-roading capability - or want to make a big statement. The R-Class and M-Class are more practical options and cost thousands less.
Depreciation, which can be the biggest cost of new-car motoring, shouldn't be too much of an issue here, although the petrol versions will lose value quicker than the more manageable diesels (the GL 320 will be the most popular). Demand should be strong on the second-hand market, either way, as the GL should remain relatively rare on UK roads.
Fuel consumption is predictably frightening from the petrol models: 20.3mpg from the GL 500 and 21.1mpg from the GL 450 - and probably less in real-life driving. However, with a 100-litre fuel tank, at least you shouldn't need to visit the petrol station too much. The diesels promise a slightly less scary 24.4mpg (GL 420 CDI) and 28.8mpg (GL 320 CDI), but they're hardly going to make for economical runarounds. Tax bandings and BIK liability for company car taxpayers are hefty too.
