Mercedes-Benz GL-Class beats BMW X5 to take home Golden Steering Wheel award

Readers of the German newspapers BILD am SONNTAG and AUTO BILD, together with a panel of motoring experts, have crowned the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class as the best SUV, voting to award the coveted "Golden Steering Wheel" to the luxury cross-country vehicle. This is the 22nd time that Mercedes-Benz has emerged as the winner of this Europe-wide competition. The prize was presented last night in Berlin to Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

More than 250,000 readers of "BILD am SONNTAG", "AUTO BILD" and 25 affiliated publications in 22 countries were responsible for ensuring that the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class reached the final stages of voting for this year's "Golden Steering Wheel" award, held at the Pirelli proving ground in Balocco (Italy). This is where, after a series of demanding field tests, a team of automotive experts met to agree on the best five vehicles. When it came to the SUV category, they voted to put the Mercedes-Benz GL***8209;Class in the top spot.

The award represents recognition, from both readers and experts, of the first-class standards that define every aspect of this large SUV from the Stuttgart company's premium brand. The seven-seater GL-Class combines dynamism, efficiency and excellent off-road capabilities with elegance and the outstanding comfort of an S***8209;Class saloon. With it, Mercedes-Benz has set a new benchmark in the SUV world.

Mercedes-Benz is continuing a long tradition with its win in this year's "Golden Steering Wheel" competition: this year marks the 22nd time that the brand known by its three-pointed star has taken first place among the most successful automotive brands competing for the "Golden Steering Wheel", an award that has become a highly regarded institution throughout Europe since its inception in 1976.

Not surprised. It's a much newer car with a gorgeous interior