pet connection

For what it’s worth, I try not to look at the price tag on a vehicle before I drive it. While the two are clearly connected, I believe that the quality and performance of a vehicle is what really matters. If you don’t like the way it drives or feels, there’s no reason to look at the sticker price.

If, however, you fall in love with the car you are driving, and can’t stop thinking about it for hours or days afterward, then it really doesn’t matter what the sticker price may be. You will find a way to get one. It may not happen today, or even this year, but sometime in the future, you will find a way to make it happen.

Taking that approach, I was totally smitten by just with everything about the 2008 Mercedes GL550. The large, luxury SUV not only offers seating for seven passengers, but it works extremely well as a dog-transporter too. The wide rear tailgate opens smoothly with the click of a button on the remote key chain, and the rear row seats quickly fold down flat with the touch of the switch on the side wall of the rear compartment.

One-touch, electronically folding rear seats? Now that’s what I call user friendly. How many times have we tried to open the rear tailgate with arms loaded with pet supplies, only to find that the seats were still in place to handle the kids, not the canines? In the GL550, the touch of a couple of conveniently placed buttons will clear the area to handle all your cargo needs.

What a treat! Combine that with the 8-way power and heated front seats and the 382 horses under the hood, and you’ve got a dog car that’s a people pleaser as well.

OK, now for the bad news: This luxury, convenience and power comes with a price tag of more than a $77,000.

Dog lovers, start your dreaming.

Read the full review of the Mercedes GL550.