Make the Joneses weep

MERCEDES-BENZ GLS400D: EXPECTED LUXURIOUS EXCLUSIVITY

V6 turbo engine produces 243kW of power and 700Nm of torque.

Keeping up with the Joneses is one thing, but staying abreast of Mercedes-Benz’s model range can be a whole different kettle of fish. Before I start telling you about the GLS400d we spent a week with recently, a quick rundown of the Merc family tree will help to get everyone on the same page.

In the German premium carmaker’s local line-up, no fewer than six of the 16 models nomenclature include the letter G, which stands for gelandewagen, the German word for off-road vehicle.

The G-Class nameplate is reserved for the iconic G-Wagon, which derivatives are indicated by only the letter G and a number, like the G 63 S and G400d.

For the other five model ranges, the letter L is used to link the G with Merc’s appropriate Class nomenclature the SUV is equivalent to. They include the GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE and GLS.

In other words, similar to each equivalent Class, the SUV line-up gets bigger and more expensive as you work your way up from the GLA through to the flagship GLS.

For those who might wonder about the M-Class – which is still a common sight on our roads – Mercedes renamed all ML-derivatives to GLEs some years ago.

The GLS also went through a name change along the line. Starting out as the GL in 2006 as a bigger version of the ML, it was renamed as the GLS some four years ago to correspond with the Mercedes naming scheme.

As the nameplate indicates, the GLS400d that we had on test is an oil-burner and the most affordable of the three derivatives in the line-up.

It is priced at R1 849 840, with the two petrol versions, the GLS580 and the AMG GLS63, going for just south of two bar and just north of three bar respectively.

The GLS is every bit as luxurious and exclusive as you’d expect from a Mercedes-Benz featuring an S in its badge, with space being the major differentiating factor from the SUVs below it in the food chain.

Measuring 5 207mm in length, it is almost 300mm longer than the GLE, with its wheelbase 140mm longer than its smaller sibling, while it stands 50mm taller at 1 823mm.

As you’d expect with generous dimensions like that, space inside the cabin is plentiful.

Even when sliding the second row forward to create greater comfort for passengers in the third row, there is still plenty of legroom for passengers in the second row.

And while you could argue that seating in the third row of a seven-seater can never be as comfortable as in the second row, the GLS’s back row is as good as it gets, taking cushioning, legroom, air vents and safety belt poisoning into account.

Even with the third-row seats in the upright position, the boot features a healthy 355 litres of space. This can be increased to a ginormous 2 400 litres with both rows folded flat.

Along with all the space inside comes the usual premium finish and comfort, along with the MBUX, Merc’s advanced infotainment system and widescreen digital cockpit.

While it also features heaps of safety features, the lack of headup display and adaptive cruise control as standard is a bit annoying, considering you can buy a four-bedroom house in a decent neighbourhood for the same price.

It is powered by the same 2.9-litre V6 turbo engine as the GLE400d, which produces 243kW of power and 700Nm of torque.

The power is sent to all four wheels via the 4Matic system via the 9G-tronic transmission.

And even though the GLS400d weighs in at a hefty 2.5 tonnes, the powerplant does an exceptional job of making the car feel fast off the mark, with the peak torque available from 1 200rpm.

Mercedes claims it can reach 100km/h from a standstill in 6.3sec and we have no reason to doubt that number.

As far as fuel consumption goes, we used 12.1l/100km over 423km, which included a good mix of city and open road.

With a 90-litre fuel tank, you should easily reach Durban from Joburg without having to refuel along the way. While it cruises like an ocean liner and overtakes like a speedboat, wind noise from the large side mirrors at higher speeds was a bother.

Judging by the reaction we got from admirers, there is no doubting the statement a big, shiny Merc such as this makes.

Its size, sculpted in familiar Mercedes SUV fashion with large grille, Merc badge and 21-inch alloy wheels, is something few people can resist.

And best of all, it’s got potential to make even the Joneses a tad jealous.