Test drive GL 420 CDI vs. Range Rover TDV8: Duel of Giants

Until now, Range Rover and Mercedes have never come as close to each other as they do now. Both companies now have a full-size luxury SUV with an eight-cylinder diesel in their range. Comparative test of Range Rover TDV8 and Mercedes GL 420 CDI.

One of GL's goals is to overthrow Range Rover. To do this, the model has a carefully thought-out gigantic body, a well-maintained and at the same time incredibly powerful eight-cylinder diesel engine. Until recently, at least in terms of the latter, the Range would have been unprepared, but today the situation is different: the British have for the first time created an eight-cylinder diesel version of the model, which at the same time develops an impressive 272 hp. With.

The diesel nature of the British can only be recognized on the spot or when driving at very low speeds. In other cases, the interior of the car remains just as pleasantly remote from any irritants from the outside world, as in Mercedes. In addition, the lower power and torque values of the 3,6-liter engine compared to those of the Mercedes GL do affect performance measurements, but in practice this circumstance goes almost unnoticed from a subjective point of view. The ZV transmission of the TDV8 has six gears, while the German rival boasts seven, but in practice it also remains hard to notice - the British gearbox harmonizes with the Range engine just like Mercedes' seven-speed design with a four-liter CDI.

Style versus dynamics

With the GL, it seems part of the idea is to offer one more idea than the Range Rover in all objectively measurable ways. For example, the Mercedes offers more luggage space and can be fitted with seven seats as an option, while the Range stays with the classic five-seat layout but instead creates a feeling of more space. The classic Range Rover body shape gives a serious advantage when viewed from all sides - unlike the GL, the driver always knows exactly where each part of the car is, smoke is better, not least because of the thinner side columns.

Both giants rely heavily on driving comfort - air suspension systems are incredibly smooth over any bumps. A direct comparison shows that the Range Rover's steering is slightly indirect, but also lighter. The Range Rover TDV8, especially in the Vogue version, offers a nobility that you simply cannot get anywhere else in this class, and extravagant equipment. With the Mercedes GL 420 CDI, many of the standard Range Rover TDV8 items come with an extra charge. In the end, there is no clear winner, and in this particular test there could not be. And yet: the stylish and sophisticated Range Rover scores slightly inferior to the Mercedes GL 420 CDI.

2020-08-30