For the second time, Motor Trend named the Mercedes-Benz GL the SUV of the year. The luxury SUV topped 10 other competitors (the Ford Escape and the Nissan Pathfinder were the other two finalists) in six categories used for judgement (Performance of Intended Function, Design Advancement, Engineering Excellence, Efficiency, Safety, and Value).
"Imagine a gigantic Swiss Army knife, with 50-some tools (one of the tools is a Leatherman, which itself has 50 tools)." Ed Loh, Editor-in-Chief of Motor Trend said. "Now imagine all the blades are gold-plated platinum, and the inlaid mother-of-pearl handle is wrapped in leather from a Himalayan bald eagle. That's basically the GL."
The question we have about this process lies in the direct comparison between cars in the $20,000 range with the GL, which has a base price starting at $63,000. That's like comparing your local neighborhood $20 golf course to Pebble Beach. Of course Pebble Beach, and the GL, is going to crush the competition. And guess what? 80 percent, possibly higher, of the owners of a GL aren't going to be using it for sport or utility.
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[via Motor Trend]
