We recently moved to somewhere slightly more rural, having got completely stranded when we had a couple of millimetres of snow last year we thought a 4X4 would be a good idea, only when I started to take notice of them did I realise just how many there are on the roads, they're everywhere! I'm a long term Mercedes fan so that was my first choice (and they have a long history of making "proper" 4X4s rather than a saloon on steroids). Whilst all offered the 4X4 functionality most actually had less luggage space and cabin room than my E-Class, so we finished up with a GL350 AMG
. OK, its big, there's no getting around that (5 inches wider and 12 inches longer than the E-Class), and it's thirsty, but it's a dream to drive. It has seven seats (which we have filled all of) and still a sensible amount of room for bags/pushchair etc. With the rear seats folded flat (electrically operated) there's plenty of room for five adults and their suitcases, if you fold the second row flat you've got almost as much space as a small van (moved a sofa in it a couple of weeks ago).
Being higher does make for a different driving experience and it does feel a little less "planted", but it is a nice drive.
I refuse to call it an SUV because there's nothing sporty about it, the 3 litre Diesel engine has been breathed on by AMG so it's surprisingly quick pulling away for a vehicle that size. I have to admit that I'm beginning to really enjoy it, but I still don't get the majority of the popular SUVs because they don't seem to offer much more than many saloons other than a higher seating position.
When I want sporty I drive the Plus 8 or borrow SWMBOs 911
