Benz Faqs

If you’re not getting better at what you’re doing every day, you’re not going to be around for long. That’s the philosophy that underpins the development and production of the all-new 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450, introduced to the world’s motoring press in northern California. The just-off-the-assembly-line GL-Class, this German automaker’s third all-new or upgraded entrant into the light truck segment in the past 12 months, took us 500 miles on a variety of rain-soaked roads and mud-caked trails.

Now, for 2007, customers in higher income brackets that desire or need a fashionable full-sized SUV will discover an entirely new star-adorned sport-ute, the sleek yet masculine GL-Class, with front and rear skid plates that are both functional and symbolic of its mission. Trying to stem the loss of loyalists with M-B sedans in their driveways, whose lifestyles call for cargo-carrying, people-ferrying or towing, Mercedes hopes to cull buyers who would also consider mainstream players like the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator, as well as other Asian and European models such as the Hummer H2, Infiniti QX56, or Land Rover Range Rover.

Mercedes-Benz says the GL is the first unit-body, full-sized sport-ute in its class, with comparisons and scopes set on Escalade and Navigator buyers, in particular. However, by our standards, which require a full-sizer to offer at least 90 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity, the GL doesn’t stack up against these bigger boxes on wheels.

Nevertheless, the GL-Class has been engineered for large families who have big toys, equipped out of the box with Class IV, 7,500-pound towing capability. That’s enough grunt to haul a three-horse trailer or a 30-foot boat. Other selling points are its refined ride and handling; capable V8 engine and the first seven-speed automatic transmission in this class; a luxurious interior with elbow room and techno-savvy gadgets; and an available Off-Road Package that includes low-range gearing, two locking differentials.

While exact pricing has not been announced, a Mercedes-Benz sales executive pegged the base price starting in the “upper $50,000’s” and with add-ons, we would say it will likely top out in the high seventies. The 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450 will go on sale in May.

Initially, American buyers will find only one version of the GL-Class: the well-equipped 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. With seating for seven, permanent AWD, unit-body construction, load-leveling air suspension, V8 power, and seven forward gears, this all-new model combines utility and off-road capability with on-road refinement and technological sophistication.

A bounty of standard features is included, with 18-inch alloy wheels inside 265/65 all-season tires, attractive wood, and M-B Tex leatherette interior trim a part of the price of entry. Additional features that come on every 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450 include automatic climate control, cruise control, eight-way power heated front seats, a power folding third-row seat, a fixed glass panel above the third-row seat, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and power windows/locks/mirrors. A full-sized spare tire sits below the rear load floor.

Exact pricing has not been announced, but Mercedes officials say the 2007 GL450 should start in the upper $50,000s and we would guess it will rise to the high $70s for a fully equipped version. For reference, Audi asks $59,900 for its Q7 4.2 Premium, Cadillac wants $57,280 for the 2007 Escalade, Lincoln expects $56,105 for the Navigator 4WD Ultimate, and Land Rover charges $75,750 for its Range Rover HSE. A performance-tuned GL63 AMG, if such a thing officially existed, would challenge the $90,750 Range Rover Supercharged.