They do say that location is everything when it comes to property, and with the market having been on edge for a number of years now, perhaps it's time to invest in something house-sized that's a bit more versatile. If you're looking for something with the same footprint as a maisonette then the Mercedes GL Class will do just nicely.
The GL is very much against the times, with an image problem that is almost as big as the car. You'll probably have to work quite hard simply to justify owning the car, which will only be helped by having lots of children and plenty of luggage behind you as you're doing so. It's an excessive car, the current styling theme not quite managing the transition from massive (on the ML Class) to supersized. You can see that the car has been put together with the US market in mind - there are probably parts of Britain the GL won't even fit into.
The cabin is continued proof that Mercedes is upping its game with regard to fit and finish and perceived quality. The equipment works well and is of a good standard, although our one complaint inside would be that the materials around the dashboard are occasionally patchy. Perhaps it got pricey trying to cover this kind of acreage with soft-touch plastic, but at this price you'd expect better. If we wanted hard wearing and durable we'd get a Land Rover.
The petrol engine range on the GL is about as much a no-go zone as downtown Chernobyl, and probably about as popular with environmentalists. The diesels are really the only way to go here. The 420CDI is the best bet of the range, feeling muscular despite the huge weight of the car it has to move. There is even some urgency to the drive if you mash the pedal, which is fairly impressive.
In many ways the seven-seat practicality is the only thing that sells the GL over and above a Range Rover. That car genuinely comes with some classless cool and is appreciated rather than sneered at. Running costs of the GL are likely to be higher than a Range Rover too, once you factor in terrifying figures like depreciation and servicing.
You won't necessarily win friends and influence people in this - a car like the GL is a proper statement, and are you really prepared to make it?