2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Review

PROS
Passenger and cargo room, Top-notch interior, Billy-goat-like off-road ability

CONS Schizophrenic ride, Poor fuel economy, Small outside mirrors

All dressed up to go anywhere For 2007, Mercedes-Benz expands its midsize SUV offerings by one with a new model called GL-Class. It's a modified version of the M-Class that comes with seating for seven and a robust chassis designed for off-road use and towing. It's the de facto replacement for the paramilitary G-Class, and competes with vehicles like the BMW X5, Land Rover LR3, Lexus GX470, and Porsche Cayenne at the top end of the luxury SUV marketplace.

The GL has a wheelbase of 121.1 inches, which is 6.4 inches longer than the M-Class and longer than most midsize SUVs. A single model is offered: GL450. It comes with a 4.7-liter V8 that makes 335 horsepower and 339 pounds-feet of torque. This engine mates to a 7-speed automatic transmission that has a separate shift-gate and steering-wheel-mounted buttons for manual operation.

Standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes, stability control, front side airbags, curtain airbags that protect all three rows of seats and have a rollover sensor, hill-descent control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Other standard features include leather seating surfaces, power-folding third-row seat, rain-sensing wipers, glass roof panel, and load-leveling/height adjustable suspension system. Front and rear obstacle detection systems, navigation system, steering-linked HID headlamps, 2-screen rear-seat DVD entertainment system, and sunroof are key options.

Base price for the GL450 is $54,900. The destination charge is $775.

Get up and Go
When called upon, the 4.7-liter V8 produces ample acceleration. In addition, the engine is both smooth and expensive sounding. The 7-speed automatic upshifts smoothly and downshifts promptly when called upon. Towing capacity is an impressive 7500 pounds.

Sadly, the GL suffers from a lagging throttle. A common trait of many European vehicles, a lagging throttle makes the vehicle feel sluggish in stop-and-go driving and in mid-speed passing situations. Usually, this condition is caused by a throttle cam that is geared to favor fuel economy over snappy acceleration and a transmission that upshifts too quickly. However, in the case of the GL, the problem is compounded by the vehicle's 5300-pound curb weight. Together, these factors lead to a lethargic feel in routine driving.

EPA ratings for the GL are 14 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. Those numbers are realistic as you should expect to average 16 mpg in routine driving. According to Mercedes-Benz, premium-grade fuel is required.

In sport mode, the ride is better controlled and quite firm. Body motions are kept well in check but there's a marked increase suspension noise. In the end, the comfort mode comes off as a little too soft and the sport model a little too firm. Too bad there isn't a setting in between.

Because the GL is designed to be more of a towing and off-road vehicle than most SUVs, the steering seems a trifle slow and light at parking speeds. However, it quickens and firms nicely once above 30 mph. Stopping power is excellent and the brake pedal has a linear feel.

Interior noise levels are among the lowest of any SUV. There's just a whisper of wind noise at extra-legal highway speeds. Engine noise is subdued and the tires do a good job of reducing unwanted road noise.

Behind the Wheel Interior décor is exactly what you'd expect from Mercedes-Benz: classy, understated, and refined. Materials are impressive--even for a vehicle with a price tag north of $70,000. The doors shut with a solid "thunk" and the interior emits nary a squeak or rattle over even the roughest of roads.

Firm and supportive front seats offer ample head and leg room. Tilt/telescope steering wheel and height adjustable seat make it easy for any size driver to get comfortable. Outward visibility is blocked by thick roof pillars and small outside mirrors. Front and rear park assist and a rear-view monitor are available. Step-in height is higher than most midsize SUVs but not objectionable.

Second-row seats are very firm but do offer adult-size head and leg room. The available rear-seat entertainment system features two screens that are mounted in the back of the front-seat headrests. Though more expensive than a single screen the dual screen setup eliminates the single dropdown screen's problem of blocking the driver's view through the rear-view mirror.

Third-row seats are kid sized, but still comfortable and well finished. Getting into the third-row seat can be a challenge, but the passenger-side second row seats slides well forward creating a decent pass-through area. A nice touch is the standard power-fold feature that works much more quickly than in most competitors.

Interior storage is adequate, but the glovebox bin is broken up into small compartments and the center console doesn't have much open storage. Also, map pockets are just that, map pockets. Most SUVs have large map pockets that double as storage compartments.

Bottom Line No one needs the GL450. There are plenty of less-expensive midsize SUVs that offer the same features, power, and comfort. Still, it's hard to peg an overall value on the GL. It really is the Mercedes-Benz for the person who owns a boat, likes to camp, or needs a versatile vehicle for a large family. You pay a premium for the three-pointed star on the grille, but along with that premium comes an incredibly refined vehicle that's at home at four-star restaurant and at a back-forty cookout.

That's exactly what the GL offers to its buyers: the ability play with the country-club set and get down-and-dirty if necessary. Few luxury SUVs that offer that versatility and fewer still can do it with such ease.