Overview & Reviews

A range-topping GL550 is added to the Mercedes GL-Class line for 2008. In addition to its larger 382-horsepower V8, the GL550 is differentiated from the GL430 and GL320 CDI by its more in-your-face grille, fender flares and 21-inch wheels.

• Strong acceleration from V8 engines, turbodiesel V6 gets gas mileage in the 20s, quiet and elegant interior, many available luxury amenities, comfortable seating, excellent craftsmanship.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 56.00

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  Satisfied Owner - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By irongate - February 22 - 3:20 am

  I have 53k miles still enjoying the SUV. Tires are not MB fault, read about that excessively like MB makes the stupid tires! Michelin and others dont make a 19" speed and weight rated tire for this SUV so forced to buy brands like Continental that only last 27k miles. Same problem for a Cayenne or other performance SUVs with big wheels. Side mirrors need to be bigger. Get the real leather for excellent comfort. 3rd row seats are the BEST of any SUV, comfortable with great leg room for a trip, knees are not at your chin like others! park sensors,stereo sound, gas mileage for big SUV is terrific. Get 20 to 21 mpg driving hard in town 24 mpg on hwy going 75 mph, 27 to 28 mpg at 55 mph.

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  Need a Slush Fund to own this one! - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By GL320 Owner - February 6 - 12:36 am

  CONS: A MB service tech told me 18 months after I purchased my GL320 that you need a slush fund keep this car on the road, addition to the already known cost due to regular service maintenance. Oh...how he was right! I have had the air-suspension module replaced twice. Tires-they are only good for 20-30,000 miles and at $1200 for a set of four it gets expensive, and let me just add there are only two tires to pick from-the Continentals and the Pirelli’s. Windshield-twice now at $989.00. I love the Bluetooth while driving, however it disconnects when the car is turned off and the door is opened. Then you can’t use your phone for about another 5 mins while it’s still disconnecting.

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  I hate getting out of it. - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By BlackNBlue - July 14 - 7:56 pm

  I have driven this car for two weeks and I am as excited as a kid with a new bike. I find it hard to stop and get out of it. The gadget factor is huge but all useful and user friendly.

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  I traded my 2007 GL450 for 08 GL550 - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By hbmciver - May 13 - 2:06 pm

  Best decision I made; to upgrade to the GL550. Unless something else comes on the market I cant imagine owning anything else. The MB GL550 has it all, comfort, quality inside and out! Ill trade in 2010 if there are upgrades, otherwise my 08 actually gets better gas mileage hwy than its rated for. I get 19-21 mpg, and the smoothest ride imaginable!

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  Best of both worlds - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By gd77 - May 10 - 4:43 am

  While we only have 1200 miles on this vehicle, the MPG has been very impressive and at no loss in pick up. Average mpg to date is just under 22 and the cruising range is great with a large tank. The CDI has a slight diesel ting to it and you can notice that this is a diesel engine but it is nothing like the competitors diesels. No smoke, no loud clanging of the engine, and it is very refined.

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  Incredible handling - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Andy - July 3 - 11:50 am

  Wonderful ride, stability control works very well. Very sophisticated interior. The engine has a lot of torque and accelaraton is good for a family SUV. The 4matic system is very good. What else you can ask for an SUV? Although the price of the diesel is very high the mileage per gallon is good enough to make the change from gas to diesel. I hope we can see more turbo diesel engines in the future.

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  Quality is back - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By CBM - April 11 - 6:43 am

  I traded my 07 GX 470 Lexus in on this and have been very happy. I get 25 mpg, which is not bad for a large suv. With diesel at 4.50 a gal. it costs to fill the tank, but it is money well spent. The GL is a true pleasure to drive, comfort and ride of a lux car. I have pulled a large boat with out any problem. The little V6 offers plenty of power. It is not a corvett, but fast enough.

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  Great SUV with diesel - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By GB19 - March 31 - 5:33 am

  SUV has been great so far. Fuel consumption has been v. good (23.5 mpg avg. so far over 6K miles, 26+ mpg on longer hwy trips - I used to avg. 16.5 mpg with my old Sequoia!). Seats are very comfortable (feel hard at first, but are great on long trips). Ride quality is excellent + acceleration with the diesel is v. good for a large SUV, but be sure to make a cutout if installing non-MB rubber mats, otherwise you will limit the travel of the accelerator pedal! Interior is v. nice (especially with real leather), exterior looks good, except a bit minivan- ish from the rear. So far has been reliable except for a problem with the charging of a secondary battery. Main gripes are with stereo/nav.

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  GL 550 Refined And Exilerating - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Gary Case - February 11 - 8:53 pm

  This car has a duo personality, smooth and refined around town; yet exilerating on the open road. The ulta wide 21 inch tires complement the suspension dynamics to make it handle like a BMW x5 with out the punishing ride. When you are on a Sunday drive with the family, theyll never realize there is 380 horses under the hood.

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  Diesel Better than Expected - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By stiney9 - December 22 - 3:50 pm

  First diesel I have ever driven, and Im quite impressed with it. Averaging about 29 mpg on the highway with 22 mpg in the city. All that from a full size SUV!