(December 21, 2012) — MONTVALE, N.J. — The all-new, second-generation Mercedes-Benz GL-Class sport utility has won Autoweek magazine's 2013 Best of the Best award for their truck category.

"We're extremely pleased that the GL-Class has been awarded Autoweek magazine's Best of the Best award," said Steve Cannon, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.

"With the broadest powertrain offering of any full size SUV, not to mention the impressive depth of its functionality, our GL-Class won out over some formidable competition. From the very beginning, the GL-Class has been perfectly tuned to the needs of U.S. customers, who made the GL the segment-leading sales performer."

Built in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the highly successful GL was the first full-size SUV from Mercedes-Benz. The GL model lineup for 2013 includes the fuel-sipping GL350 BlueTEC turbo diesel (240 hp, 455 lb.-ft.) as well as the popular GL450 (362 hp, 406 lb.-ft.), the GL550 (429 hp, 516 lb.-ft.), and the high-performance GL63 AMG (550 hp, 560 lb.-ft.).

The first three models are currently available, and the GL63 AMG will go on sale in the spring. One of four sport utilities offered by Mercedes-Benz, the full-size GL is part of an SUV family that includes the mid-size M-Class, the compact GLK and the legendary G-Class.

For their Best of the Best awards, Autoweek editors considered all-new or substantially new 2013-model cars and trucks that are publicly available. Editors graded each of the ten finalists on various criteria, including drivetrain, ride quality, handling, exterior/interior design and its "fun factor."