2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Consumer Reviews Page 2

Went from diesel to gas

Written by: helilog on 04/23/2008

Vehicle

2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)

Review

Traded an ML320CDI diesel for a GL450 gas V-8. The diesel has a narrower power band, more gear shifting, with 3-4 second bursts of huge power on demand in the upper gears. The gas V-8 has a wide, slightly weaker power band, less gear shifting, extended acceleration leaves the diesel for dead. Pick your poison. V-8 averaging 18mpg overall on regular gas, canceling some of the diesel's excellent 25mpg on pricey diesel fuel. The GL air suspension gives a smooth, level ride. Think S-Class. Car-like steering and brakes, much better than the vague, jerky brakes on the diesel. Standard manual rear hatch is light, easy to use. Nav system data entry is tedious, results are confusing.

Favorite Features

The GL is a great city car with a short turning radius and excellent visibility out the big, low rear side windows for lane changes, parking and such. More goodies: All side windows open. Two sun roofs. Fit and finish, style, quality and comfort of the standard MB Tex 7 seat interior is excellent.

Suggested Improvements

Price the nav system option at $1.99 because that is what it is worth. Perforate the sweaty optional leather seats for ventilation. Make xenon headlights standard. (Although the normal halogen lights are adequate, they just suffer compared to the xenons. It's a safety issue.)

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Just Hit 20K

Written by: Lawyeretal on 03/28/2008

Vehicle

2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)

Review

This was my pick by far based on looks, but I gave my wife the 'command' decision. We drove everything out there from Lexus to Infinity and this one drove most like a car. She picked this one hands down. We have had to have the one of the air shocks replaced, but that was no issue. The fit and finish are superb and everything inside is solid and well constructed. We have taken it on 3 long road trips with 3 kids, and the quiet ride (for the baby), the comfort (my wife) and the joy of driving it (me) have further impressed us to the point that we will probably buy another in a couple years. The older kids love the back seat entertainment package!

Favorite Features

Darn fun to drive! Seat warmers rock! Plenty of space for a family of 5. Controls on the driving wheel for gears, phone and sound system very convenient. Turns heads.

Suggested Improvements

Drinks too much gas. Need separate feeds for rear entertainment package. Nav system needs improvement.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Should have compared

Written by: new2MB on 03/03/2008

Vehicle

2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)

Review

This is my 1st MB, got a good deal and jumped at the chance to own it. I love the way it handles, compared to my old standard SUV's. I wanted something smaller with room for the kid's sports stuff. The GL450 does not have an armrest so on long trips, anything over 30 min. my right arm goes numb, then I move it down to the bottom of the wheel, feeling less in control and still not comfortable. The navigation is very inadequate. Hard to operate compared to most on the market now. Should have compared more vehicles and not just gone for looks.

Favorite Features

My favorite feature is the way it drives.

Suggested Improvements

Must update the navigation system to better quality picture and touch screen/voice command. Add a driver's seat arm rest.

6 out 10 people found this review helpful

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CDI-GL

Written by: Michael on 02/19/2008

Vehicle

2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL320 CDI 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Review

Excellent vehicle, needs air pressure to read actual pressure in all tires. Very expensive to maintain. Mercedes does unneccessary things on scheduled manintaince such as check caliper thickness at 10,000 miles. Navigation system is one of the worst in the business but not the cheapest. 19 inch tires and wheels are a joke because the tires cost 3 times as much as 18 or 20 inch. MB tech fake leather is very bad stuff. Blue jeans stain it and it does not breath like leather. Pulls very nice and the brake intregation system is superb but far to pricey.Garage door opener works only on occasion. Very weak signal. All in all it is a very nice vehicle but MB has made it far to expensive to maintain

Favorite Features

An absolutely wonderful driving machine. The CDI gets wonder mileage and has great torque for pulling. 7 speed transmission is a dream to drive. Seat heaters work to perfection. Power fold down seats are very nice. Third seat room is the terrific. Engine is quiet and smooth.

Suggested Improvements

Self leveling lights move to quickly and make peole think you are giving them the brights. Need to have the ability to raise vehicle at all speeds espesially when going through snow. Needs 4 low. Vehicle chases around on ice I do not know if this is because of traction control or toe in problems.

6 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Great Choice

Written by: YAAAAAY on 12/21/2007

Vehicle

2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)

Review

It's wonderful that Mercedes-Benz made a large SUV, shortly after our last one gave up. A fantastic alternative to Cadillac, Chevy, and other brands with large SUV's. It work's great in snow and rain. And overall very easy to drive.

Favorite Features

1) Very responsive handling for it's size! 2) Memory seats on both front seats 3) Roomy interior 4) Cruise control is super easy

Suggested Improvements

1) Bucket seat options for second row 2) Easier GPS system. 3) More storage room 4) Some plastic pieces broke off.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Aweomse!

Written by: Wezzy1 on 12/03/2007

Vehicle

2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL320 CDI 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Review

I just bought this used with 10K. It got 23 miles per gallon on average, and I drive crazily. Get the diesel, it's quiet, quick (enough) and should last forever

Favorite Features

Everything is as it should be

Suggested Improvements

Like everybody says, but at least the p01 pkg as standard, but again, there is a price point i'm sure they're trying to maintain, as well to attract tahoe and, sequoia and the likes. I think it's a deal for such an amazing vehicle, and would pay 10K more for it...honestly

7 out 9 people found this review helpful

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It's a winner

Written by: peter on 09/04/2007

Vehicle

2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)

Review

I had an '02 ML500 and currently have an '06 Range Rover. This GL450 is as comfortable as the Range Rover, roomier than both, and the best ergonomics. The transmission is excellent and I like the upshift/downshift buttons on the backside of the steering wheel. Easy to use Navigation and excellent placement of the CD changer in the glove compartment. Rear view camera is clearer than the Rover also. The Rover wins off road but the Benz wins on the highway.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Move the DVD player into the center console from underneath the rear passenger seat.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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New GL450 Outperforms Competition

Written by: TREM52 on 08/20/2007

Vehicle

2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)

Review

My wife and I test drove 5 other luxury SUV's and this outperformed the competition by a wide margin. The quality of this MB SUV is outstanding and you get what you pay for. The acceleration beats the competition and the ride is similar to the S-class sedan. Overall, it seems like something out of their AMG class. The GL takes the corners well and the interior is very quiet even on dirt roads. The upgraded sound system plus navigation is a must have! Plenty of room for the two kids and lots of storage room. With the third row seat up there is limited room but the competition had even less. We look forward to numerous road trips in the future!

Favorite Features

Acceleration. Quiet. Navigation. Third row leg room. Safety front & rear parking sensors. IPOD jack. Power tailgate. Harman Kardon sound system. Power third row seat

Suggested Improvements

Premium package should be considered standard equipment

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Why not to get the GL450/550

Written by: Lazy Labradors on 08/18/2007

Vehicle

2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL320 CDI 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Review

Surprised at the fit and finish of an American assembled MB. Quite a departure from my '98 ML320 that my mechanic often cursed 'this is not a Mercedes!' Why choose the GL450/550 when 1) gas version comes at a $2500 premium over the diesel (not the case usually with diesel vehicles) 2) gas version requires premium unleaded fuel (premium still costs more than diesel) 3) the diesel gets 18/24 gas gets 13/18 ( GL550 will fare worse); average economy for both cars at 12k miles/year and factoring price differences for premium vs. diesel you'd save ~$600/yr in fuel savings on top of the $2500; Not noisy, not slow, no smoke or smell; 0-60 who cares?? it's an SUV

Favorite Features

400lb-ft torque! rear 3/4 windows open, 7 speed auto surprisingly doesn't hunt, leather stitching & leather covered dash; solidity and drive smoothness give impression of an S-class not an SUV, backup camera, 3rd row seats, hitch, zero wait time to start, push button close rear door

Suggested Improvements

A la carte options on $50k+ vehicles like leather, sunroof, Xenon lamps, heated seats should be standard. Nav complicated by very stiff joystick instead of a touch screen. By comparison, my son's Honda Odyssey is instantly understandable without the manual so why not copy it!

29 out 31 people found this review helpful

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Great SUV

Written by: weeweeC on 08/11/2007

Vehicle

2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)

Review

Traded in a Land Rover Lr3 for the Gl450. Wow what a difference! Better and smoother ride, more power, more luxurious, more amenities. The car is a real head turner. We are very happy so far.

Favorite Features

The IPOD integration kit is a must. Sunroof package is super. Very comfortable. Great acceleration with smooth ride

Suggested Improvements

None for now

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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