2010 Mercedes GL350 CDI

The badge says 350 but the engine actually displaces 2987cc and makes 224bhp and 52kgm of torque. The OM642 motor in the GL is similar to the one in the ML350CDI, which means it has four valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts and a torque curve that peaks at a low 1600rpm and stays flat till 2800rpm. Weighing 2505kgthe GLs performance is sprightly but doesn’t feel particularly quick. It’ll hit 100kph in 10.2 seconds, which is not bad considering its size and it’ll hit a top speed of 210kph.

The GL is a car that builds speed in a linear manner and without any drama and so doesn’t feel spectacular in the power department. On the road it’s reasonably quick although overtaking is sometimes hampered by the seven-speed auto’s lethargy at downshifting. A quick tug on the left paddleshift sorts this out but not if you’ve got your foot on the accelerator. That said, the gearbox is best left in Drive.