The GL finds a way when roads are hard to come by. Whether you’re negotiating mud, scree, gravel tracks or steep slopes, the GL will reach its destination as comfortably as if it were travelling on an asphalt road or pulling a trailer. Numerous technical refinements enhance occupant safety and provide an enjoyable ride – no matter where your destination lies.

The GL is equipped as standard with the Off-Road Pro engineering package with integrated off-road ABS. This can reduce braking distances on downhill gradients, particularly when driving on loose surfaces. The six-piece underbody panelling made of high-rigidity plastic and a stainless-steel reinforced underguard at the front provide outstanding protection on off-road terrain. The modified AIRMATIC system with level control and Adaptive Damping System (ADS) offers a maximum ground clearance of 307 mm and a maximum fording depth of 600 mm in the highest off-road setting. This means that even rocky stretches and stream crossings are no longer an obstacle.
Operating on sloping terrain and under suitable ground conditions, the GL achieves a climbing ability of up to 100%, which corresponds to a 45 degree slope angle.

The driving dynamics system, consisting of the ESP® electronic stability system and 4ETS electronic traction system adapts itself to the challenges of off-road driving e.g. by reprogramming the timing for brake actuations at the wheels and by raising the 7G-TRONIC shift points.