This 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450 was a local vehicle from day one. It was recently traded on a new Range Rover, the owners no longer having need for the passenger-carrying capabilities of the Benz. Finished in Pewter Metallic paint with grey leather seating and matching carpets, the paintwork is great, with no dings or dent to mar the finish.

The first thing that strikes you about the Mercedes-Benz GL450 is its size. Nothing like the behemoth Expeditions and Suburbans of course, but make no mistake this Big Benz is one large vehicle. This example has nerf bar running boards installed which help when getting in and, when you remember to use them, also when getting out of the vehicle.

Seats are light grey leather, and are very comfortable, holding you in place somewhat better than most seats that you'll find in an SUV. The leather is obviously of high quality, there are no marks and no signs of wear at all. There are three rows of seats, the third row folds flat and each half of the bench can be raised and lowered by pressing a switch in the cargo area which means that you don't have to wrestle with them at all, something that other manufacturers should take note of. Front seats are heated, and have three settings. I found that the highest setting became uncomfortable after a short while, but on cold Wisconsin mornings they are great for warming you quickly, then you can turn it down for the remainder of your journey. The heater is also very efficient, warming up very quickly.

Turn the key, and the 4.7-liter V8 fires up immediately. This is a heavy vehicle, but the engine is more than up to the task, and can propel you down the road quickly enough to satisfy most people. It weighs in at 5,300 lbs and will tow 7,500 lbs without problems, although 0-60 figures are not high on the list of priorities for potential buyers for vehicles in this segment. There's a trailer hitch fitted so it should be ready for work right away. Shifts are smooth and unobtrusive, and the electronic gear shift takes a little thought initially if you're new the system, but it works really well. Likewise with the single stalk for the direction indicators and wipers. Take a little while to see how it works, and it suddenly starts to make sense. The stalk to engage cruise control is where you'd expect the direction indicator/wiper control to be but once again you get used to the setup within a very short space of time.

The cabin is spacious and really comfortable. Plenty of legroom in the back, and enough width that you don't feel cramped at all. The Harmon-Kardon system produces clear sound, and once you get used to it, tuning to different channels is easy enough. The screen has a large display that is easily read, and the Navigation system is easy enough to use. Press the "eject" button and the screen slides and tilts out of the way to allow access to the navigation disc player and also the CD changer. Close it up again and the changers are out of sight and out of the way.

Tires are all Falken radials, with plenty of tread depth remaining. The alloy wheels are in great condition without chips or signs of being scraped on kerbs. The air suspension does its job extremely well, providing a comfortable ride but keeping the handling tight so that the vehicle doesn't feel as big as it really is once it's on the move. Parking the Benz is straightforward, and there are proximity sensors on front and rear if needed. Quiet, comfortable and stress-free, this SUV will make its next owner very happy!

If you are interested in seeing this vehicle please contact our Internet Sales Department on 262-970-5900 or by e-mail, steve.favill@fieldsauto.com. You can see more details and photographs by clicking on this link. Print this review and bring it with you to receive an extra $500 off your best deal on this vehicle!