2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Review
Last year, Mercedes-Benz introduced the seven-seat GL-Class, an SUV that will inevitably find its way into the sort of neighborhoods where one Banana Republic just isn't enough. For 2008, Mercedes has added a rip-roaring GL550, whose steep price tag moves the lineup (which also includes the GL450 and diesel GL320 CDI) into Range Rover territory.
I spent a week ripping and roaring in a GL550, and my conclusions are mixed. The SUV's inconsistent acceleration obstructs an otherwise impressive driving experience, and issues with visibility and control usability sour the well-tailored cabin. Most troubling, though, is the GL's poor reliability record, which is tempered only by the fact that its competitors don't fare much better. The Benz has enough strengths that it might prove a worthy family-hauler, but be sure to consider its limitations before you buy.
See also:
Heavy and light loads
WARNING
Depressing the brake pedal constantly results
in excessive and premature wear to the brake
pads.
It may also cause the brakes to overheat,
seriously impairing their effectiveness. It ...
Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the
illumination of the road over a wide angle in
the direction you are turning, enabling better
visibility in tight bends, for example. It can
only be ...
Folding the exterior mirrors in or out automatically
When the "Automatic mirror folding" function
is activated in COMAND:
• the exterior mirrors fold in automatically as
soon as you lock the vehicle from the
outside.
• the exterior ...
