Features & Pricing

Excluding the destination charge, the GL320 starts at $53,400, while the GL450 starts at $55,900. Standard features on both include four-wheel drive, faux leather upholstery, a CD player with an auxiliary MP3 jack, dual-zone automatic climate control, a fixed third-row skylight, and heated, power-adjustable front seats. The GL550 hikes the price considerably ($77,375), but it comes stocked with standard features: larger wheels, a moonroof, leather, a backup camera, heated second-row seats, Harman Kardon audio, xenon headlights and a navigation system. Many of those features are optional on lesser trims.

GL550 options include keyless access (it supplements the regular keyless entry) and a rear-seat DVD system. Fully loaded, the GL-Class tops out around $83,000.
GL-Class in the Market

The GL's price spread gives it a wide range of competitors: At the low end it competes with Infiniti and Lincoln, and at the high end there's Lexus and Land Rover. It seems less suited for the higher-tier competition, as its ride quality and control interface stop it short of luxury-SUV perfection, but as an alternative to some of its less-expensive competitors, the GL holds promise. It's elegantly tailored, stylish and roomy, and for some families it could prove a worthy steed. Sales have been steady so far, but whether or not enough folks will be willing to look past the GL's annoyances to make it a success — particularly with $3.50-per-gallon gas — remains uncertain.

    See also:

    Adjusting the four-way lumbar support
    Vehicles with memory function: You can adjust the contour of the front seat backrests individually to provide optimum support for your back. To raise the backrest contour To soften the back ...

    Checking the coolant level
    Only check the coolant level when the vehicle is on a level surface and the engine has cooled down. – Turn the SmartKey to position 2 (Y page 139) in the ignition lock. On vehicles with KEYLES ...

    Back button
    ...