I am looking at the GL 450. The GL 550 offers no off-road package which allows you to switch the suspension to stiffer mode, and boy, does it make a difference in handling.

Agree 100% - I was looking at the GL last year and test drove a few. I was ambivalent until I found one with off-road.
Off-road pkg was hard to find and I only test drove one that had this- when set to sport, the GL is awesome. Firm, tight, handles much smaller than its mass.

I have three kids so the X5 is a severe compromise. GL looks good.

Why is the X5 not big enough for three kids - just curious


(Disclaimer - no kids here)

I have an 8 yr old, 7 yr old and 2 yr old- all girls.
For trips of any distance, the girls must be separated or there is no peace in the car.
With the carseat and the older girls all on one row, it's a tight fit. Plus you lose any benefit of armrest and cupholders.
Asking my older girls to sit in that "third row" of the X5 was not a good proposition- not on long trips. And the wife insisted that the carseat be accessible so it has to go on the 2nd row.