2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 550

2008 Mercedes GL550: Perfection has its price

Thu, Nov 29th 2007

Driving the new 2008 Mercedes GL550 luxury sport utility vehicle on the beautiful mountainous roads of Northern Idaho, one gets the impression that this big baby could handle just about any terrain or territory.

But with a base price of nearly $80,000, who would want to take it out of the garage, let alone tear up some rocky or muddy off-road trail?

For what it's worth, I try not to look at the price tag on a vehicle before I drive it. While the two are clearly connected, I believe that the quality and performance of a vehicle is what really matters. If you don't like the way it drives or feels, there's no reason to look at the sticker price.

If, however, you fall in love with the car you are driving, and can't stop thinking about it for hours or days afterward, then it really doesn't matter what the sticker price may be. You will find a way to get one. It may not happen today, or even this year, but sometime in the future, you will find a way to make it happen.

Taking that approach, I was totally smitten by just with everything about the 2008 Mercedes GL550. The large, luxury SUV not only offers seating for seven passengers, but it works extremely well as a dog-transporter too. The wide rear tailgate opens smoothly with the click of a button on the remote key chain, and the rear row seats quickly fold down flat with the touch of the switch on the side wall of the rear compartment.

One-touch, electronically folding rear seats? Now that's what I call user friendly. How many times have we tried to open the rear tailgate with arms loaded with pet supplies, only to find that the seats were still in place to handle the kids, not the canines? In the GL550, the touch of a couple of conveniently placed buttons will clear the area to handle all your cargo needs.

What a treat! Combine that with the 8-way power, heated front and back seats and the 382 horses under the hood, and you've got a dog car that's a people pleaser as well.

OK, now for the bad news: This luxury, convenience and power comes with a price tag of more than a $77,000.

Dog lovers, start your dreaming.

-- Keith Turner

Carguy Comments:The Mercedes GL class was introduced in 2007 as the brand's first full-size SUV and the GL 450 was promptly awarded Motor Trend magazine's 2007 Sport/Utility of the Year. For 2008, the German automaker is building a more powerful GL550 out of its Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant. Producing a maximum of 382 horsepower out of the V-8 engine, the GL550's cargo capacity is 83.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down and towing capacity is 7,500 pounds.

-- Keith Turner, The Family Car

Mercedes GL550: Big, bold and classy

Barking Lot Banter: You are likely to fall in love with the 2008 Mercedes GL550, as long as you leave the lofty sticker price out of the equation. It's big enough to handle whatever dog-hauling challenges you may face, yet comfortable enough to pamper you with first-class amenities and a strong, confident ride.