What do you guys think about the Mercedes GL450?

I bumped a curb parking my wife's S500 the other day and I popped out the center black mesh on the AMG front end (the front is actually lower than my 997S and the stupid part costs $250!!!). Anyways, I went to get the part and while I was there I saw a GL450 on the showroom floor. I really liked what I saw and fully loaded up with every option the thing is only $73k which is only $3k more than the Escalade that I was going to buy (was going to pull the trigger on it this week). The GL drives really nice and has all of the good stuff that I need in a family SUV with 3 rows.

For the size and weight, the GL has pretty decent power. My wife was interested in a Cayenne Turbo so I test drove one of those yesterday. I was kind of disappointed with the Cayenne Turbo. It's pretty quick but I always thought it was supposed to be a beast. It didn't have the neck snapping acceleration that I thought it would. Granted, it's a huge heavy AWD SUV so it's very fast for what it is. It just does not feel quick compared to my 997S. I know that sounds dumb but you guys know what I mean. The Cayenne is for her so that's another matter altogether.

I want to make a move this week and I am split 50/50 between the super nice 405hp Escalade and it's glorious 6.2L V8 exhaust sound (you have to hear it to believe it) and the equally nice GL450. Which SUV would you guys buy? Help me out guys!!!

 

GL450 for sure, Its a great vehicle or another alternative is the mind bugging beast the G55 AMG!

 

The GL is what I am looking at as well to get for the wifey and get her out of the G55 real soon. The G55 is nice and all but not what is needed for a family with 3 kids, was gonna get her the Denali XL as the Escalade for her is too much bling and I agree, We had the previous Denali and it was by far the most useful and best riding SUV out there, we shall see what the GL450 is like.
I am betting the GL450 will be the one though.
Good luck.

Bajo

 

i just got one tuesday and we love it.

 

I got my wife out of SUV's a couple years ago and now not one of the four wheels on her 7 series has escaped serious curb rash. She loved the SUV for the simple reason she could run over curbs and small villages, saplings, childrens bicycles, ford small bodies of water and take excursions out into the bush. I am not crazy to put her back into a truck but if it makes her happy....

I like the new Escalade but I think the Merc would better stand the test of time.

 

Get the GL. Although the Escalade is nice the GL seems classier.

 

Yup, have to second this.

 

Wow, not a single vote for the Escalade! I checked online and it appears that this is a common dilemma. Escalade vs Q7 vs GL450.

Thanks for helping me make up my mind guys!

 

the gl has a premium with no lease specials...the range rover; however, has great lease specials (except the sport)

 

G55. The GL looks like an ML on steroids.

 

Even though that is true, the G55 is tooo damn small inside and rides rough. However it is unstoppable in any weather or terrain and looks wise doesnt look like anything out there.

Bajo

 

Robert, I vote GL as well, and I can't believe a Escalade sells for $70k! I've never shopped them, that is just shocking.

 

That's actually the sticker price on a Escalade ESV with:

Moonroof
Navigation
DVD player
22" wheels

Escalades without the extras are much less. The non-ESV is approx $68k. Either way it's a buttload of money for a Chevy Tahoe. I drove an ESV to my house so I could show it to my wife and during the 15 mile in town trip, it consumed 1/8 of a tank of gas!

 

they're advertising the '07 escalade with a 15k rebate...running $51k...

 

gl for me ....