2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS Test Results; Captain's Chairs vs Bench Seats | Talking Cars
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ต.ค. 2024
- This week, we discuss the test results of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS450, and we share how this luxurious 3-row SUV performed at our track. We also answer questions about the likelihood of LED headlights getting covered by snow and ice (and what to do about it,) why the captain's chairs on higher trim level 3-row CUVs and SUVs might not be preferable to a standard bench seat, and if the new Honda Accord's 4-cylinder turbo engine is reliable.
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SHOW NOTES
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00:58 - 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS Test Results
09:03 - Question 1: Are new LED headlights less capable to melt snow and ice off the lens than the old halogens?
13:22 - Question 2: Captain’s chairs vs.bench seats
18:23- Question 3: Is the Honda Accord 4-cylinder turbo engine reliable?
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2019 New York Auto Show: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS
• 2019 New York Auto Sho...
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS
www.consumerre...
First Drive: Polished 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS Expands Tech and Luxury
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How to Keep Your Car’s Safety Sensors Clean When Snow and Ice Attack
www.consumerre...
Honda Extends Warranty on Troubled Turbo Engines
www.consumerre...
4K Review: 2018 Honda Accord Quick Drive
• 4K Review: 2018 Honda ...
4K Review: 2018 Toyota Camry Quick Drive
• 4K Review: 2018 Toyota...
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The Camry is reliable and that’s not boring. Reliability is the most important quality in a car.
There is NOTHING boring about reliability.
Reliability is the ultimate luxury!
Yes but you’re comparing apples to oranges, or a mid-sized sedan to a full-size SUV. I have noticed that the unreliable vehicles tend to be the bigger, heavier ones.
In regards to the LED headlights. In Europe a lot of cars with LED headlights are available with washers that are usually heated. These help to keep the lights free of snow and ice in wintery conditions.
I second the complaint about absence of 2nd row bench seats in top trim SUVs. My large golden retriever rides in the 2nd row, so I definitely need it to be a bench.
I've noticed that every time a Mercedes is tested, the critique comes up that the seat controls are difficult to find/use because they're on the doors. I have to say that I, personally, much prefer it this way. I have driven Mercedes for many years as well as other makes, so am familiar with seat controls being on the doors as well as controls that are on the sides of the seats, and I am always frustrated at having to fumble around blindly in the cars where the controls are on the sides of the seats. The seat controls on the doors I found super easy to use, as they're nicely visible, so no blind fumbling required. The fumbling wasn't that bad when I only wanted to adjust the seatback or seat bottom since the controls are vaguely seat-shaped, but as soon as I wanted to save a new position into the memory or press one of the memory buttons so that the seat would assume that position or other buttons such as the thigh cushion extender or lumbar support or the headrest or the height-adjustable shoulder belt the blind fumbling would start - or if the car wasn't moving I'd actually open the door so I could see what I was doing. I also much prefer having the seat heating/cooling controls in the doors, as they are in Mercedes: super easy to find and use and see what setting they're at. Those haven't ever been hidden in any of the cars I've driven, but even if they're just amidst a bunch of other buttons on the centre console it requires me taking my eyes off to the road for those potentially crucial seconds to find them and use them. If they're on the doors, I can even see them out of the corner of my eyes without having to look away from the road. So that seems much safer to me, not to mention more convenient.
Another point I've seen mentioned in a similarly negative light that I also can't understand is the stalk for the cruise control in past Mercedes models (I know, they've now moved these controls onto the steering wheel). And again I have to say that my experience with that stalk was only ever positive. I found it super intuitive: push up for increasing the speed, push down for decreasing the speed, push away if you want to cancel and pull it towards you if you want to resume. I find that preferable to the controls on the wheel. That's not to say I've had big problems using the controls on the steering wheel. There it's still up for speed increase and down for speed decrease, but in many brands, you first have to press yet another button to turn the cruise control on to begin with, so an extra step I never had to do on old(er) Mercedes cruise control stalks, and then I actually have to look at the controls to see where the "set" and "resume" buttons are or which "up" button makes the speed go up by an increment of one and which makes it go up by ten. The stalk never required me to look away from the road to figure out which direction would make it do what. Actually, the same goes for the cruise control stalk in Toyotas I've driven.
All that being said, I can understand if someone who drives different cars pretty much every day and is used to something being done a certain way because that's how it's been done in the majority of the various cars they drive would then need time to adjust if they find themself in a car where it's done differently. However, in that case, the problems they might have with getting used to how things are done in this different car are not an indication that that different way of doing things is inferior, only that the person isn't used to them.
And, even though I realize this is approaching rant-territory and I really don't want to play the Mercedes fan who is oblivious to any of that make's faults, I also couldn't help but notice that other points of critique in this video were the GLS's high price, big size and the difficulty to park it because of that size. Don't get me wrong, I fully agree that that is a very expensive and big vehicle and that that can make parking an issue - I'm not denying that. But isn't that like complaining that a super cheap car is or feels cheap or has lots of cheap materials? Or buying a sports car and complaining that the ride is harsher and that it's set up for sporty driving instead of luxurious/comfortable/practical driving? It's the nature of the beast. I would think that anyone who's looking into three-row SUVs would expect them to be big (that that would actually be at least one reason WHY they're looking into them) and that people who look into luxury brand vehicles would expect them to be more expensive than non-luxury brands. Of course, whether the differences between luxury brand vehicles and their non-luxury brand counterparts are worth that extra cost, that is something every potential buyer has to judge for themselves, as is the question whether they can even afford such a vehicle...
I couldn't agree more, complaining that a powerful infotainment system is complex is like complaining that maybe we should all go back to paper and pencil because it's hard to learn to use a computer. CR - It's time to think like someone that will be in this (or any) car for a good while. I'm guessing the buyer of this car is going to spend a couple years, not a couple days or weeks in it. In every car I have owned that included an infotainment system, I learned things well into the first six to eight months, then forgot and re-learned a few. I like CR but sometimes the reviewers comments are down right silly.
In other words, it is a learning curve which takes getting used to. It’s like getting your first smartphone...
I agree with you about the seat controls, wish other cars manufacturers would do the same
I really enjoyed the energy and the answers from this week's hosts.
I agree with Jeff and disagree with the hosts on the three-row SUVs. It's baffling why some top trim models don't offer the option of a bench 2nd row. The argument that you'll suffer in the middle seat is a weak one. If that's such a horrible place to be, why would there still be 5-seat sedans and CUVs? At least the middle seat isn't as cramped as the third row in most of the mid-size 3-rows. Also note that most people aren't 6 foot tall and weight 200 lbs. Lots of Asians have bigger families and smaller bodies and would very much appreciate an extra seat.
Holy Land Top trim 2019 Highlander has bench or captain option. Not sure about the 2020. Only the SE “sport trim” mandates captain 2nd row. Now what do dealers order for stock ......different question.
The Panel missed the question about 2nd row bench seats. Both the Subaru Ascent and Mazda CX-9 offer a second row bench in their top trims. (At least the 2019s did when i was buying a 3 Row SUV in Canada.)
I agree with Jeff’s question 100%. I wanted the SE Highlander, but the second row bench seat of the XLE is much more practical, especially when folding the center row to haul cargo. The second row captain chairs leave a large gap while the folded bench backs give you a flatter load floor
About that LED headlights that do not emit heat to thaw its ice encased surface, it may be a good power saver but car manufacturers should have at least consider putting a defroster feature on headlights and taillights as option for areas that have wintry weather conditions.
The Awakening my first car was a Volvo 850 that head the wipers on the head lights. full circle that we’re going to need those again!
I like how CR covers up to protect Honda. The 1.5 turbo in the new Accord is the same engine they have offered for several years. CR does the same thing when they protect and defend Subaru. Subaru has known head gasket and oil burning issues, yet CR continues to recommend them. I personally like the Accord better than the Camry (because it looks so much better), but you are taking a chance with the 1.5T in the Honda.
Al Stirbens I’m pretty sure it’s a little bit of a different engine in the Accord then in the Civic and CR-V. But both 1.5s
I’d take the Camry over the Accord simply because of the way Honda has handled the oil dilution issues. An extended warranty doesn’t fix the problem itself, nor the potential damage that has already been done that would affect it long term. I’d expect that sort of response from GM or a Chrysler, but not Honda. Sticking with NA engines that have been so solid is the way to go!
Your comment is somewhat irrelevant to this video... bot?
Because people have been blowing it out of portion. It’s only impacted people who live in cold climates and only drive 5-10 minutes. Not enough to warm up the engine.
@@Uluhbek97 18:23-Question 3: Is the Honda Accord 4-cylinder turbo engine reliable? So: your comment is somewhat unintelligent...dope?
unknown 4u Not a bot. Gene was asking about the Camry and Accord in the viewer questions, and that was my take on it.
Gene in Atlanta, Get a Camry Hybrid. It is even more fuel efficient than the regular 4 cylinder yet faster.
Right Lane Hog, unfortunately, I am not a fan of hybrids. I worked at a rental car company for awhile and got a chance to drive almost every modern midstream car. They all felt rubbery to me, including the Fusion Hybrid, Camry Hybrid and that weird looking Prius. I found a 2015 Mazda 6 with a manual tranny recently. The thing never gets less than 32mpg. More often on the highway it will run from 36 to 44mpg. So I don't really need a hybrid. Plus the mechanics at the rental car company had way more problems solving issues with the hybrids. More often than not, we had to send them out to the dealer to get problems solved.
Especially the LE Hybrid, which is more fuel efficient than the other trim levels because the LE uses a different battery tech.
@@TheLifetraveler1 I prefer manuals but if you are going to buy an automatic go all the way and get a hybrid. Toyota hybrids rarely have problems to solve.
@@toronado455 I would opt for a model with the nickel hydride battery as they are proven over 20 years.
I love consumer reports, however I wish when reviewing new vehicles I wish more data on reliability was used. Some vehicles recommended have such new technology end up being headaches for the owners. Maybe put that disclaimer in the reviews “this new tech is great, however, long term reliability is unknown” or something.
You obviously don't know how reliability data is obtained.
100% agree with Jeff. Before I purchased my Subaru ascent, I would like to purchase the top trim touring model with the bench seat with all the features including the front view camera. Unfortunately the touring trim doesn’t offer the bench seat option at all, so I ended it up getting the limited trim with moonroof option. But still some of the features that I can’t get it from the touring trim (likes front view camera, automatic window wipers, 120 volt sockets etc)...shame to all these car manufactures ....
I like this review very honest and detailed. Also interesting about the led lights not putting off heat...something to think about.
7:34 true, but the caddy should have a lot more luxury features. Mainly supercruise should not be missing from the features list.
I picked my Forester because its eyesight system has cameras inside instead of outside grill/bumper. All I need is a clean windshield for it to work. The wipers are long enough to reach the area of the windshield where the cameras need clear line of sight.
I love our Palisade, next upgrade may be GLS or the GV80.
You guys do such an amazing job with everything you cover. However I couldn’t disagree more on the bench vs. captains chairs option. Ultimately you miss out on an extra seat and that consumer “Jeff” brought up something that is the reason why I haven’t bought the new Telluride. The bench should atleast be an option especially if you are going for the top trim.
You give up an extra seat that no one uses and you have to move the seat back to get to the 3rd row everytime (when you have car seats, that makes the configuration very difficult). You would much rather have the pass through between the captain's chairs as an option to get to the 3rd row 99% of the time than that one extra (and tiny) middle seat in the second row.
I live in Saskatchewan, Canada, and I agree with Andy’s issue.
During the winters here, the LED headlights on my 2018 Ford F-150 are always covered in ice and frozen snow.
Whereas with the halogen headlights, on my previous vehicles, where better.
I wonder if the car companies will address this?
Yeah, a heated option as an add-on.
Disappointed with the piece about turbo engines. They should have researched which 1.5 engine and had the problems and what engine is in the vehicle that was being discussed. It’s not difficult to find out what the engine code is, and if it’s derivative of a problem engine.
living in chicago last winter, we had an issue with LED traffic signals- we had wet, heavy snow blowing sideways and it covered the LED traffic lights because they didn't emit heat to melt the snow. needless to say, it was a very dangerous situation because people couldn't tell if they had a green or red light! the fire department had to clear these lights (which they should've done overnight, when there wasn't much traffic) but it took some time.
Love the captain seats, but would be nice to have a 3 seater bench seat for the 3rd row. I am a family of 6, but my mom most of the time travels with us.
Jeff, Get a Infiniti QX60. It has bench seat in middle row on top trim. 3rd row seat can be accessed easily even with car seat on. Decent space for cargo.
Great stuff, guys!
Mercedes was once a very reliable make. But I remember when CR tested the very first Mercedes SUV. When the reliability survey data was reported, the magazine had to split the reliability graph because the Mercedes was so far below any other vehicle. I believe it was 143% worse than average.
It’s because they are trying to get ahead of the curve with the technology, though what is lacking in complaints is the engine. That, they can do well on.
1st. Love CR. Jennifer is great.
If you are the type that sometimes lets oil change intervals slip ... stay away from a turbo. They spin at mind blowing speeds, and their bearings rely on a good clean supply of oil. You won't be pleased if you need to replace your turbo.
You can get a loaded Acadia Denali with a bench in the second row...the 2020 model got a pretty good refresh: better front end styling, standard LED lighting, new 9 spd transmission (not ZF 9 spd that Honda and Acura use) re designed interior with electric push shifting, and a couple other changes.
"Hey Mercedes"... I follow a vlog where the wife's actual name is Mercedes. Imagine the confusion every time you asked Mercedes a question...
You're obviously not married, since everyone knows that no wife has ever waited to be asked anything before giving an answer anyway.
Ron Snyder both the ladies know more than you and me Ron.
Do LEDs last longer? If so that could be a real advantage. Changing bulbs in many cars can be a real pain, often involving wheel and fender liner removal. Bulbs can be pricey too.
I see a bunch of cars riding around with LED taillights out. Wait until you have to replace those. Those will be extra pricey. LED highlight will not fare any better.
They should last longer ... my fear is that the replacement cost might be hundreds of dollars. Fortunately I have never owned a vehicle that required disassembly to get to the bulbs.
I've owned Nissan, Honda, Acura, MB, Toyota, Lexus, Hyundai, BMW, Volvo and Ford. The most difficult of them to change were the newest Nissan, I have big hands, asked my neighbor with smaller hands for help, simply pulled bulb out and replaced with a new one. The only time I've had to open a panel in the trunk, was in the Mercedes, I turned the knob reached for the connection pulled the bulb out and replaced it. There are many videos on TH-cam, check it.out the next time.
Sorry. The controls is something that I was able to quickly figure them out. Also the MB buyers are the would be buyers of this SUV and they already know about them.
Also when comparing size you need to compare to it’s likes. Such the Escalade and Navigator and so on.
Why does Emily not understand that five people cannot fit in four seats, no matter what "type" of people. PhD......
Sirgromulus 3rd row helps with that
It's good to see Emily again. The more she's on, the more comfortable she gets, and the more valuable information she shares.
4:21 frankly the steering wheel warmer is easy to find (coming from 2014 E350).
Also, it's much more easier for so many things: "Hey Mercedes, turn on steering wheel heater".
Defroster and/or washers for headlights?
What is the issue with controls
Check out Chevy Traverse. It's available with 3-row seating and is available with a second-row bench. Better yet, buy a mini van. Mini vans are much more space efficient.
I agree with the minivan suggestion. As soon as the question was read, that was my first thought.
Want a 3 row midsize crossover with room for 5 in the first two rows, a relatively accommodating 3rd row in a top trim? Try the KIA Sorento. And as a bonus you get a vehicle that at 189" long is more convenient to park and drive in traffic.
Not all LED lights get icy, some manufacturers known from overengineering stuff (Germans) have some air circulation systems that make warm air from behind the reflector (that's where LEDs dissipate heat) travel to the front and de-ice the glass. I'm pretty sure Audi does that.
Also - some cars have washers, either as standard or as an option.
My 2020 Explorer has massaging seats... anyways I think the GLS is worth is money for sure. Way more superior than the Cadillac or any of the competition. Saying that it’s too big of too complicated means you don’t know as much as you think you do. Never had any issues with any vehicle.
The downside on the Mercedes is that you have to pay extra for just about anything. Even for a heated steering wheel. That is a shame.
Why no info about the different drive modes and off road compatibility.
As for the headlights yes the led’s freeze easier but so do the HID’s after a while.
The sensors are always not working when the vehicle is caked with ice or snow. Common sense, folks.
Nice, but $90 k? Not in my budget range. Do I need a behemoth like that for 10 k. Miles a year? No!
That’s why they make different cars for everyone
I would go for the Accord because the headlights are SOO much better than the Camry's.
Haha...89k! I could afford it, though it wouldn’t last after three years and it would be at the dealership getting repaired all the time. Over 70 percent of BMW’s and Mercedes are leased.
What happened to headlight wipers?
I have heard various comment about show notes but where are they? mousing around did not find them,
Thanks,
Bob
At least on my phone, if you click the down arrow on the right below the picture, you get a lot of information, including the show notes.
Just below the show summary is "Show More" ... you will find them there
For those who never had Mercedes, it will be complicated. It’s just like phone, it will take time to figure it out how to use iPhone for example after flip phone.
Not to show off, I can tell that I had Mercedes brand for past eleven years, and every year they add something new to their cars, and for me learn how to use another two-three new options on a car not that hard.
So for those who had for entire life cars with electronic windows as an additional option to “ reliable “ car, will be hard to learn that mercedes does lithely everything, you just gotta be present in a car.
Functionality over form. They are designed for the autobahn!
Great question, Jeff! I currently have the same issue.
Parent of 3 kids, so we are a family of 5. We cannot stand the bench seat 2nd row. For one, with car seats, it's impossible to even use that middle seat in the bench seat. Second, the middle passage between the captain's chair is gold getting to the 3rd row. Your kids won't stay tiny forever, and climbing in behind the silly folding bench seat to get to 3rd row is not really made for adult sized people. Lastly, you have to have a split folding 3rd row so you can fold down one seat while still keeping one up to add a lot more cargo room (and a car top carrier for extra cargo).
A good suggestion is to stop recommending kia or Hyundai to a listener looking for a luxury car. There is a huge difference between a gls and a kia Telluride.
The Mercedes infotainment is the best in the car industry. Its thr only system u can control using thr steering or the touchscreen or the cental consor controller
How can that be a bad thing
Genesis SUV as just copied the visuals reality direction on nav.
it infuriates me when manufacturers don't provide a bench seat in 2nd row in the top trims.
No link to the survey?
reliability is not a strong point for most manufacturers; go extended warranty. In some markets, until the X7 was introduced the only truly proper 3 row suv is the GL/GLS (the CX-9s second row sits too low). So if you want to hall 3 or 4, 5 ft 10 + people it is your only bet if you dont want to go to an MPV and want something reasonably priced buy a used GL/GLS on warranty.
Funny, this Mercedes is north of $80,000, but Consumer Reports scores the new Buick Enclave 5 points higher. Guess that money does not buy you very much but the name. The controls drove them crazy. I would stay away from the Honda turbo, it is new, and it has had issues. GM has a lot more experience because of Saab - theirs seem to last over a decade with no issues. Mine did.
If you examine a Mercedes Benz product from the early 1980s you’d find that the climate controls though lined up each felt differently so that you could operate them by feel without taking your eyes off of the road and all of the controls in the car had an individual feel for the same ergonomic reason. Now they’ve ruined what they once perfected.
and there he goes the Telluride guy.
My favorite part is the guys Ricky Bobby hands
Jeff, I think the Ford Explorer may work for you.
james witte agree, that’s part of why I bought one. Usually dogs are my rear seat passengers and the bench is better and safer for them.
The Ford Explorer doesn't work for anybody.
You would lose 30k on that xt6 as soon as you drive off in it. Cadillac, one of the fastest depreciating units around. 🤑🤑
Loved the episode/podcast.but I truly need my question answered, my 78 yr old Mom is talking about a new car, she has bad knees and requires at the least a cane and for more lengthy walking a walker...I need an answer
18:28 get the Camry Hybrid
Hey Mercedes!!!
Come on it was not as hard as you said. I road tested it and it was so easy. Stop it with the electronics if you don’t try them first then sorry you shouldn’t be doing such reviews. The dealership spends as much time as you need to know all. As to head lights and snow it doesn’t matter which headlamps as such almost gives the same. I use to trust CR but you all have ruined the trust. If you ask why, well I have owned cars that you recommended not to buy and all that I experienced was the opposite of your negative recommendations. Come on be real and truthfull
Hey, TC. Good to see more diversity on the panel.
What? There are two women, one who tans and the other who doesn't, you got Gabe from Isreal, Ryan the eye candy, the over compensator (wannabe jock), the environmentalist nerd, and the handicapped guy visually impaired(eyes move in different directions)? How much more diversity do you want?
That survey is way too long. And when I finally got to question #247 or whatever it was, suddenly it was all required answers to questions like "I feel good about myself" and "I worry about social injustice and where my next meal is coming from" and all this nonsense. Not worth the effort.
7,700lbs
Sports Utility?
SUV perpetuates marketing push not a consumer demand. Can you represented us not them?
I always stop watching when viewer questions start. I dont want to here the same tire questions every episode
Lol
As always you keep clinging to your reliability data - no matter how extensive it is - and disregard anything and everything else that is WAY more important in a car these days!
You can't buy a bad car anymore these days purely because the technology and competition has come so far.
That being said, I'd personally NEVER buy a Toyota as it stands today, because their cars are obsolete when it comes to technology. It's easy to have good reliability when you have the most simple product on the market, that you haven't really updated for 20+ years!
Man, cars are just getting over complicated because of all this tech that you really don't need.
Mike Quncy = "Ok Boomer" when he is complaining about the amazing Tech with MBUX.
HATE HATE HATE CAPTAINS' CHAIRS.
👍
That Merc is an endless money pit !
True but it does have stuff that other cars don’t, creating that excuse for ‘unreliability’. At least, we don’t hear much complaints about the engine.
14:08 get a Tesla :)
It is criminal that carmakers still fitting base model cars with halogens:
Hurts the consumer (who has to upgrade aftermarket bulbs themselves),
hurts the environment
(manufacturing unnecessary halogens and wasting energy powering them for customers who switch to aftermarket LEDs,
or the cost of manufacturing/disposal of new bulbs when they have to be replaced for customers who stay on halogens),
hurts safety (when the halogens inevitably fail on the road, or when aftermarket LEDs are used in casing tested for halogen),
all so the automaker can save a few bucks on manufacturing and upsell the customer on a higher trim.
I have a 33 year old car still using it's original halogens with none of the 4 ever having to be replaced. Work fine for me and never dimmed from age and work better than newer cars that I have owned where the headlight lenses have clouded up with age.
LED headlights are horrid. Flicker and colour of real concern
How to improve the podcast? Get new YOUNGER hosts.
I thought that Madea was invited to the Podcast 😳