Mercedes-Benz GL FAQs

• Is the Mercedes GL the same as the GLS?

  When the GLS was first released, it was a direct replacement for the GL. The change was brought about to clarify Mercedes-Benz's SUV line-up, allowing a number of other models to share the GL prefix. At the time, the GLS and GL were very much the same, including trim level, styling and even performance. As time has gone on, there is a definitive difference, which is also the case across the various GL models that exist today such as the GLS, GLC, GLA, GLE and GLB.

• What does the GL stand for in Mercedes?

  Previously known as the GL, the modern-day GLS is one of a series of Mercedes-Benz SUVs that all feature the first two letters "GL" in their name. As a result, the GL prefix now signifies the German auto-maker's SUV range. The third letter in the name represents the model series for the respective range. It's also worth noting that the "G" at the beginning of the name stands for ‘geländewagen’, which is German for off-road vehicle.

• What is the difference between a Mercedes GL 450 and GL 550?

  The GL 550 is a step-up from its sibling, offering a much more performance-oriented SUV. It is a lot more powerful with a significantly higher level of torque, taking less effort to hit those high notes on the road. However, it isn't really just down to straight-line speed here, because in addition to a more vigorous level of power, the GL 550 is equipped with tyres, brakes and a suspension set-up that have all been tweaked for optimal performance. The GL models are both the preceding versions of the GLS, albeit with the change in naming convention, and all the upgrades that have followed since.