Video by Tate MacDowell. Additional Footage by Austin Novy. Van Tours: 2017 Mercedes Crew Sprinter. Jul 19, 2018 - The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet will sport a new model designation for 2019: the E 450. A replacement for the current E 400.
The Car Connection
Likes
Dislikes
Buying tip
Steer clear of 21-inch wheels, even with adaptive suspension, as the ride can be harsh.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class wears its old-school heart on its sleeve, proudly.The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class once wore the GL badge. The name’s changed, but the big, boxy-but-beautiful family hauler hasn’t changed much at all. It carries over for the 2019 model year, while a new edition waits for a public reveal. The 2019 Benz GLS is a capable all-weather performer and has enough real utility to make it a solid choice for families or people needing plenty of cargo space. We rate it 6.6 out of 10 overall. (Read more about how we rate cars.) Did we already say boxy? The point can’t be overstated. The GLS embraces the old-school SUV look gracefully, and pairs it with a lush interior with swaths of optional leather, wood, and metal. The GLS450 is powered by a 362-horsepower twin-turbo V-6 and a 9-speed automatic. A little warmer is the GLS550 with a 449-hp V-8, paired to the same 9-speed auto. Smoking hot is the AMG GLS63 with a 577-hp twin-turbo V-8 and a 7-speed automatic. All versions come standard with all-wheel drive. All models feel and handle much more confidently than their size indicates with air suspension that damps out all but the worst roads. As a result, the driving sensation isn’t far off from that of a much smaller car, with the difference being much more passenger space. All three rows are spacious enough, and feature plenty of options to spoil passengers like heating and cooling, or multi-way adjustments. The 2019 GLS hasn’t been safety-tested yet (2018’s model hasn’t yet, either), but can be upgraded with blind-spot monitors, surround-view cameras, and active lane assist. The list of available options, both packaged and stand-alone, is long. Buyers can opt into navigation, leather, upgraded audio, off-road packages, and more. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are optional on the base GLS450, standard on other models, and they’re recommended, since they help ease the COMAND infotainment system’s woes. Old-school, no-nonsense looks suit the 2019 Benz GLS well.The 2019 Mercedes GLS-Class is a delightfully retrograde piece in some ways. It’s big, boxy, and looks completely foreign among the curvy sleds that occupy the rest of Mercedes’ lineup. It’s a vibe we appreciate: we rate it 7 out of 10 for styling. (Read more about how we rate cars.) The GLS has seen a facelift and some updates over time, but in many ways it’s the same vehicle we’ve seen for five years or more. Following a facelift in 2017, the GLS sports a wide grille, a large Mercedes-Benz logo, LED lighting and thick horizontal bars up front. GLS 550 models get 21-inch wheels and flared wheel wells, and the GLS 63 AMG carries its own distinctive styling. Vehicles with sport trim are equipped with running boards, 21-inch wheels, and special air dams front and rear. Inside, the cabin wears its luxury-SUV threads like finely tailored goods. A display is mounted on the dash, with the Mercedes-made COMAND infotainment system. Metal surrounds features like air vents and the display screen. Upholstery and interior features can be customized with carbon fiber, wood veneer, and can be swathed in a variety of stitching patterns. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS manages its size with grace and even feels nimble in some circumstances.It’s easy to lose sight of the Benz GLS in the sea of large SUVs that are on sale today, but Mercedes has not ignored its performance. With AMG on board, the GLS is not slow, not lumbering, and not at all boring. We rate the 2019 GLS a 7 out of 10 for performance, with extra points for its strong powertrains, and capable off-road ability. (Read more about how we rate cars.) Three powertrains are on tap for the GLS this year. The GLS450 is powered by a twin-turbo V-6 with 362 horsepower. Turbo lag is readily apparent, and the 9-speed transmission shifts a bit more frequently than we’d like, making the powertrain feel overworked and busy at times. A 4.7-liter V-8 with 449 hp resides in the GLS550. It pairs that power with a 9-speed automatic. It’s strong across the rev range, with a delightful V-8 bark. The range-topping GLS 63 AMG gets a 5.5-liter V-8 with 577 hp with a stronger 7-speed auto to handle the extra power. That bark? It’s a bite here. All-wheel drive is standard across the GLS line. Drive modes help with specific conditions, programming the suspension and drivetrain to match the needs of each situation. Off-Road+ raises the air springs to allow more ground clearance and Sport mode tightens up the GLS’ shifts and changes steering weights. Other modes like Slippery and Comfort change traction control and suspension settings to deal with those conditions. The GLS does a good job at disguising its hefty proportions, though its steering can feel distant at times. The ride is smooth and under control with air suspension in most conditions. The Active Curve system works against body lean by applying counterforce that keeps the vehicle more level, but that takes away natural vehicle feedback as a result. In all, the GLS does a remarkable job at driving like a smaller SUV. Keep in mind, we’ve found the standard 19-inch wheel and tire combination to be the most comfortable, which avoids the smaller (and less-padded) tire sidewalls of larger wheels. The GLS can shuttle seven adults without issue and is out-spaced by only the largest SUVs on the market.The 2019 GLS offers flexible, spacious seating arrangements and extravagant finishes all around. There aren’t too many ways to improve on this formula, short of knocking a zero off the price tag. With that in mind, we rate the 2019 GLS a perfect 10 on our quality scale.(Read more about how we rate cars.) The front seats spoil passengers with heating and multiple adjustment options. Available cooling and massage features up the luxury quotient for the front passengers. Second row access is aided by generous door-openings and seats can be optioned-up with heating and power controls. Two adults can ride in comfort, but three can fit fairly easily. The third row is more than usable, thanks to both the easy entry points in the GLS and the simple seat operation that allows the second row to slide or fold out of the way. Cargo space in the GLS is humble, but functional at 16 cubic feet with all three rows folded up. With only two rows up, the GLS offers 93.8 cubic feet, which puts the GLS’ cargo space in the same league as all but the biggest SUVs. No crash data doesn’t mean the GLS doesn’t sport the latest safety features.The 2019 GLS hasn’t been crash-tested yet, so we’ll reserve our scores until it is. We’re still waiting on 2018’s model to be scored, so we aren’t holding our breath. (Read more about how we rate cars.) The GLS comes standard with a rearview camera, forward-collision warnings, and automatic emergency braking. The SUV also comes with a driver attention monitor that alerts the human inside that it’s a good idea to get caffeine or take a break from driving when it senses the pilot nodding off. Optional safety equipment includes blind-spot monitors, active lane control, traffic-sign based speed warnings, adaptive cruise, and LED lighting. The Mercedes GLS-Class spoils buyers with features and choice, but the infotainment system is due for replacement.The GLS-Class plays in the same arena as offerings from Land Rover and BMW, so Mercedes offers a number of customization and upgrade options to keep things interesting for the big SUV. That flexibility helps the GLS achieve an 6 out of 10 on our features scale, but a baffling infotainment unit and average warranty coverage hold it back from true greatness. (Read more about how we rate cars.) The 2019 GLS brings a new super-luxe Grand Edition to the GLS 450 and 550 that features exclusive badging, Porcelain and Espresso Brown interior themes with design nappa leather upholstery, and 20-inch 10-spoke wheels. The standard GLS offering includes power features, a synthetic leather interior (more popular than it sounds), the COMAND infotainment system with an 8.4-inch display, a power driver seat, automatic climate control, remote start, and cruise control. The base GLS can be upgraded with a la carte options like surround-view cameras, cooled front seats, power second-row seats, panoramic sunroof, Bang & Olufsen audio, and a trailer hitch. Mercedes offers a variety of packages that group popular options together, like an Off-Road group with locking center differential and a reduction gear. Sadi marzi torrent file free download. Others bring navigation, ambient lighting, blind-spot monitors and adaptive cruise control, and keyless ignition. The COMAND system is due for an overhaul across the Mercedes lineup, especially in vehicles with price tags the size of the one on the GLS-Class. The interface is aging, unintuitive, and difficult to control without a touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are much better choices than the COMAND-equivalent features, but even then the knob/dial controller is a major hindrance and there are extra steps involved to connect a smartphone that other brands’ vehicles don’t require. CarPlay and Android aren’t standard on the base model, either. Don't stray too far from a gas station in the GLS.People buying large SUVs tend to understand the trade-off they’re making between size and efficiency, but the GLS may shock even those buyers. The GLS-Class no longer comes in diesel form, and we don’t expect to see a hybrid any time soon. We rate it 5 out of ten for its middling fuel economy numbers. (Read more about how we rate cars.) The base GLS450 comes with a twin-turbo V-6 and a 9-speed automatic that is good for 16 mpg city, 22 highway, and 18 combined. The GLS550’s V-8 is rated at a hungry 14/19/16 mpg. Step all the way up to the AMG GLS63, and you should probably buy stock in your favorite oil or gas company: it’s only going to achieve 13/18/15 mpg. The Car Connection Consumer Review
Rate and Review your car for The Car Connection! Tell us your own ratings for a vehicle you own. Rate your car on Performance, Safety, Features and more.
Write a Review
The Car Connection
Likes
Dislikes
Buying tip
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter’s available infotainment software is top-notch and worth the upgrade for fleet operators with several vans.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a versatile, refined van suited to a wide range of commercial and fleet uses.For commercial van shoppers, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is, well, the Mercedes-Benz of passenger- and cargo-haulers. It may look like last year’s model from most angles, but the 2019 Sprinter has a more comfortable interior, updated powertrains, and the most advanced connectivity of any vehicle to wear the three-pointed star. For fleet operators—those with big budgets, at least—the Sprinter is just the ticket. We rate it at 4.0 out of 10 on a scale that’s admittedly biased toward consumer-oriented cars. (Read more about how we rate cars.) Notably, the Sprinter can also be bought through big-rig dealers as the Freightliner Sprinter. The Sprinter is available in two wheelbases with numerous body configurations and powertrains. Most Sprinters will feature a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 rated at 190 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque that moves an unladen van along with remarkable ability. A 1.9-liter turbo-4 gas engine rated at 190 hp and 258 lb-ft cribbed from the smaller Mercedes Metris van lineup is also available, but we haven’t yet driven it. Myriad configurations include full cargo, partial cargo/passenger, 17-seat passenger, and cab versions ready for aftermarket upfitting. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is a new option, but a high-riding dedicated four-wheel-drive model isn’t available. The Sprinter’s high seating position affords it with Empire State Building-grade outward vision. Firm, multi-adjustable seats available in cloth and hard-wearing synthetic leather trim provide all-day comfort. The Sprinter’s switches and materials are similar to what’s used in the automaker’s luxury cars, and they’re easy to sort through. The available 10.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment debuts the automaker’s latest software for the U.S. market. It’s easy to sort through but light on hard buttons for quick, eyes-off-the-road access. Fleet operators with more than a few vans can opt for a service that links vans together to display vehicle locations and operating status as well as the ability to push notifications to vans via the infotainment display. Passenger van versions of the Sprinter can accommodate up to 17 in reasonable comfort, although four abreast in the last row is positively economy class. The Sprinter is unlikely to be crash-tested by the NHTSA or the IIHS, but it is available with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and active lane control. This year’s Sprinter is built at a new Mercedes van assembly plant in North Charleston, South Carolina, which helps it skirt a tax levied on commercial-oriented vehicles built overseas. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter blends some high-tech touches with a boxy, functional body.If there’s such a thing as a pretty van, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is probably it. We rate it 3 out of 10, pulling back two points for its ungainly proportions. (Read more about how we rate cars.) The boxy exterior doesn’t matter from the driver’s seat, however, And its slab sides allow for big company logos. LED headlights up front point the way forward and are joined by high-visibility LED taillights. Unpainted bumpers and steel wheels are standard, but hotel shuttle operators and those trying to project a more upscale image can opt for painted trim and alloy wheels. Inside, the Sprinter has a beautiful three-spoke steering wheel that can be optionally wrapped in leather—a worthwhile addition for drivers who spend all day at the wheel. The dash itself is curvy, with plenty of small pockets for storage. Base Sprinters have a simple radio head unit, but the optional 7.0- and 10.3-inch touchscreens that hover out of the dash give it an upscale look. By big van standards, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter lives up to its name.The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter won’t set any records on a race track, but its performance is poised and composed for a big van. We dial back points for its trucky ride and for the tippy feel inevitable from its high center of gravity. It’s a 3 out of 10 on our scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.) This year, a 1.9-liter turbo-4 rated at 190 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque comes standard. It’s mated to a 9-speed automatic and it sends power to the rear wheels. We’ve not yet driven this setup, but we question its ability to accelerate a fully laden van with any authority. The optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6’s 324 lb-ft makes it a better choice. The V-6 pairs to a 7-speed automatic that sends power rearward or, optionally, to all four wheels. Though it makes more diesel clatter than you’ll find in most modern passenger cars, the Sprinter’s engine endows it with good acceleration. We observed about 20 mpg driving an unladen dual rear-wheel model. A properly equipped Sprinter can tow up to 7,500 pounds and its maximum gross vehicle weight rating is an impressive 12,125 pounds. The Sprinter’s steering is crisp and precise, and a careful design for its front suspension gives the big van a terrific turning radius in tight city situations. Its ride, unladen, is firm but controlled. At highway speeds, the Sprinter lets in a lot of road and wind rush, but it tracks straight and is aided by its available active lane control and adaptive cruise control. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter can handle just about anything in reasonable comfort.The driver and passenger get the best seats in the house in the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. We deduct points for the passenger van’s tight rear rows and for the drab interior finish, but add them back for comfortable front seats and exceptional cargo utility. Overall, we land at a 5 out of 10 for the 2019 Sprinter’s comfort and quality. (Read more about how we rate cars.) Up front, the driver’s and passenger’s seats are all-day comfortable and multi-adjustable. Power adjustment is optional and includes memory, a nice feature for vans that might be shared between multiple drivers over the course of a day or week. Outward vision is stellar up front, less so for rear-seat passengers. Its rear benches are firm and upright, with Spirit Airlines-grade leg room. Optional USB ports for rear-seat riders help, but the Sprinter is best used as an around-town shuttle than a touring van for when the band gets back together. Cargo is the Sprinter’s forte: the biggest versions hold up to 488 cubic-feet of stuff. In San Francisco, that’d cost about $1,500 a month plus utilities. It’s not likely that the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will be crash-tested.Big vans such as the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are not usually crash-tested by both the IIHS and the NHTSA, so we can’t assign a score here. If they do test the 2019 Sprinter, we’ll update this space. (Read more about how we rate cars.) The Sprinter comes with six airbags and offers a wide array of advanced tech such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and active lane control. Not only are these important safety features, they may help lower running costs by eliminating fender-benders. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a blank canvas—albeit an expensive one.Fleet buyers will want to spend an afternoon or two picking the right configuration and options for their 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. We rate the Sprinter at 5 out of 10, pulling back a point for its spartan base specification that we add back in for its huge amount of customizability. (Read more about how we rate cars.) The Sprinter comes in four body styles and two wheelbases, most of which can be ordered with either gas 4-cylinder or turbodiesel V-6 power and either rear- or four-wheel drive. Base Sprinters are just that: basic. They do have power windows and locks, keyless ignition, and air conditioning, but that’s about it. Standard connectivity lets fleet operators keep track of vans from a website or smartphone app, but advanced features cost $29 monthly. The Sprinter’s myriad options include upgraded touchscreens for infotainment in 7.0- and 10.3-inch sizes, different upholstery, painted bumpers, alloy wheels, and various cargo management solutions. We recommend the larger infotainment screen. It’s crisp and bright and easy to use. Most importantly, it allows for fleet managers to push notifications such as new jobs and points of interest directly to the head unit. A loophole exempts the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter from the EPA’s tests.A loophole in EPA testing means that the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter doesn’t report its fuel economy to the feds. As a result, we can’t assign it a score here. (Read more about how we rate cars.) In a brief test drive in South Carolina near the plant where Sprinters are assembled for North America, we observed 20 mpg on the van’s trip computer. Our test was in an unladen Sprinter with the diesel engine and dual rear wheels and it included low- and high-speed driving. The Car Connection Consumer Review
Rate and Review your car for The Car Connection! Tell us your own ratings for a vehicle you own. Rate your car on Performance, Safety, Features and more.
Write a Review
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |