EXCLUSIVE: How does the new Mercedes GL450 stack up against the full size American SUV's?

The new GL450 is two inches short than the R-Class so that makes it two inches longer than a 2006 Cadillac Escalade.

But when you see it in the flesh it sure doesn't look as big.

Take a look at the photos I shot today of it next to a GMC Yukon.

Here is another pic that shows it next to a PT cruiser so you can get a true perspective for yourself.

Agent63 - 3/7/2006 8:14:28 PM

+1 Boost

Well put it beside a Yukon the Mercedes looks like a star. However, if it was put aside an Escalade, i don't think it's got that 'Luxury SUV' look that Cadillac has managed to put in their design. Maybe it's just me. I'm totally not feeling this design at all. Maybe with some different rims or an "AMG" package it might spoof up some interest.

All this is coming from an MB fan... ME. Not liking the R-class, B-class as well. Useless models I say. Their line up was attractive. Now these generations are looking a little weird (mainly the SUV's ML&GL)

atomicbri - 3/8/2006 8:03:10 AM

+1 Boost

Have you all heard about MB baby in the making? I guess it is the offspring of a Gl & ML... check it out...

atomicbri - 3/8/2006 1:10:27 PM

+1 Boost

The Commander is based off the Grand Cherokee....a design that was already carved in stone at the time it came to fruition. The ML is what the GL is based off of and the ML is it's own frame as well.
The ML and Cherokee do not share platforms. Now electrical parts and such, maybe the do share...and other bits I am sure of. But the platforms? So far only Chrysler has used the previous gen. MB platforms....they have yet to share a current MB platform.

CarNut - 3/8/2006 2:14:27 PM

+1 Boost

American SUVs are just big amounts of air enclosed into a car, and with a big, powerfull engine--with no good performance at all!!

Altough Gl was designed for the US, it still looks way better than any other SUVs, and is actually a good car. It's only problem again is the Q7, which stands out.

As far as I see it the GL and the Q7 are in a class of their own--the good kind of PERFORMANCE SUVs

driverAlex - 3/9/2006 10:20:28 PM

+1 Boost

I still believe this is a poor investment for MB. Although I see their desire to tap into the large SUV market, I think they made a mistake with the GL. Its ugly when put next to the ML, and in my opinion, is CRUSHED by the far more luxurious Audi Q7 of almost equal proportions. I would even opt for an Infiniti QX56 over this one, especially with MB's steadily falling reliability. I dont think anyone will ever take Mercedes seriously in the large-scale SUV race; its territory they dont need and territory that DiamlerChrysler has, and will continue to win on the Chysler/Jeep/Dodge front. I dont think we'll see this model for very long.

MercBasher - 3/9/2006 10:53:12 PM

+1 Boost

I'm not usually an M-B fan, but I think the GL will really shake up the luxury market and take sales from Range Rover, Lexus, Infiniti and Lincoln. Cadillac will probably do ok since its a new model.

Alex - did you know that the Nissan Armada/Infiniti QX56 is one of the most unreliable vehicles sold in the US - if you want reliability don't chose the QX56, even M-B can do better.

I'm driving an Lexus LX 470 and I will consider this new M-B as well as the new Audi in a few months. I wish Lexus had a new LX coming - but I've heard nothing about Toyota wanting to enhance the Land Cruiser so I guess I'll go with a different brand of SUV later this year.