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:
Small, Stately
German sport sedans aren't a plus-sized group, and the C-Class is among the
smallest. With a footprint roughly equal to that of a Nissan Sentra, the C-Class
looks like a miniature version of Merce ...
Useful information
This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences ...
Securing cargo
Plastic hooks (Sedan)
On vehicles without a through-loading feature
in the rear bench seat, six plastic hooks are
installed to the trunk floor.
Cargo tie-down rings
Observe the following note ...