There is a lot to be discovered in the GL-Class, both inside and out. With permanent four-wheel drive and a 50:50 torque distribution between the front and rear axles, the GL-Class is the ultimate adventure vehicle. However, a range of features have been developed to ensure any journey, there or back, is as safe as possible. Features include Hill Start Assist, designed to hold the vehicle temporarily while your foot moves off the brake and onto the accelerator. Whilst Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) uses engine and wheel braking to ensure a controlled and fixed descent speed.

The low-range switch primes the 4ESP/ 4ETS dynamic handling control system for off-road conditions. Now when braking at speeds below 30 km/h in the off-road mode, brief locking of wheels is permitted, allowing braking efficiency to be significantly increased (when off-road driving). ed with this, automatic gear changes are extended and the accelerator response becomes more sensitive.