The X164 GL-Class debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show,[5] and deliveries commenced on September in Europe.[6] Around US$600,000,000 was invested in the Mercedes Alabama plant in preparation for the production of vehicles including the X164 GL-Class.[7]
Unlike most three-row luxury SUVs at the time, the GL-Class is based on an elongated and widened version of the M-Class platform, instead of the body-on-frame construction found on vehicles such as the Lexus LX and Cadillac Escalade.[8]The Guardian said in their review of the GL that "even in places where SUVs are rife, it appears comically out of scale" and described the suspension as "caramel-smooth at pace, but bouncy as a Kiddie Castle on speed bumps" before going on to say "the chrome Mercedes badge on the GL's grille is frying pan-sized and, cutely, right at the height where the head would generally be on a standing four-year-old".[9] GL 500 models are badged as GL 550 in the United States.
The following changes apply for models produced since June 2009:[13]
Exterior design changes including: redesigned radiator grille, foglights, bumpers, wing-mirrors, Standard LED tail-lights, Optional LED DRL/Fogs with Xenon Package[14]
Interior design changes including: redesigned seats and steering wheel[15]
Addition of Tenorite Grey and Palladium Silver exterior colour options[16]
All diesel models now receive urea-injection in exhaust system (BlueTEC), to meet 50-state emissions requirement[17]
Introduction of GL 350 CDI BlueTec, GL 320 CDI model rebadged as GL 350 CDI, and GL 420 CDI rebadged as GL 450 CDI[18]
2010
GL 350 CDI engine updated and GL 450 CDI ends production
2011
Wing mirrors changed again
Introduction of Grand Edition model for GL 450 and GL 350 CDI BlueTec[19]
Sales figures
The following are the sales figures for the X164 GL-Class:[20][21]
Note: 2012 sales figures include the next generation model.
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