2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450 Test Drive & Review

Holly Reich is a new member of the About automotive review team, and already I'm jealous of her. Mercedes-Benz brought Holly to Napa Valley, California to test drive the 2007 GL450, MB's first foray into the land of Big SUVs. Holly seemed to really like the GL450, praising its comfort, luxury, off-road chops and overall design. But she questions the wisdom of bringing out a vehicle that gets 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway into a marketplace that's devouring every hybrid it can get its hands on in the face of $3+ per gallon gas.

I suppose that gas prices are less of a factor in your life if you can afford a vehicle that starts at $54,000 to begin with, but I don't know anyone who relishes the thought of spending $75 or more to fill up the GL450's 26.4 gallon tank every 350 to 500 miles.

Those are the kind of numbers that add up quickly, even for the wealthy.

Photo © DaimlerChrysler