THE three-point star emblem on the front grille seems bigger than the rings around Saturn. The seats are propped so high up that the occupants need oxygen masks. All they see from there are the tails of shooting stars and tree tops - yes, the Mercedes-Benz GL450 is h-u-g-e.

It has a rather big price tag too. At $351,888 with COE, the GL450 costs about the same as a fully loaded Mercedes S350. But between the quintessential towkay limousine and this brutish SUV, it's the GL that'll get a petrolhead's vote, for sure.

Seeing traffic part as you approach is something the S-class driver doesn't see very often - not unless you have a flag in front, flashers on the roof and outriders by the side.

But it's not just its natural talent to be a big bully that makes the GL450 such an endearing beast and a real alternative to the typical large sedan.

Considering its weight, size and height, this car handles with surprising delicacy and accuracy. It does lean in the corners, but the air suspension never allows it to lose its composure. In fact, it seems to handle better than the R-class tourer, with which the GL450 shares a lot of similarities.

Pity that the 4.5-litre onboard isn't as vocal as you would expect a V8 to be, but it does do a decent job shifting the 2.4-tonne car around.

Setting itself apart from the large sedans on the road is the GL450's off-road abilities - that's the real rough stuff and not the mild tip-toe in the litter box kind.

As part of the 'off-road pro engineering' package, which is standard on the GL450, the seven-speed automatic gearbox has a switchable low-ratio final drive, a suspension that can go into 'tip-toe' mode, as well as a nifty 'downhill speed regulation' feature.

This is a vehicle that will chomp on any kind of terrain you dare to take it to, and make a molehill out of a mountain.

Jungle Jims, though, won't be familiar with the GL450's plush cabin. It is a lot like that of an S-class, only elevated. Other than the wealth of leather and thick carpeting, the test car came fitted with the optional Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound system, which is an excellent way to break the silence in the hushed cabin.

A pair of LCD screens behind the front seats offer more options on the in-car entertainment front. The two panels of glass on the roof let in just the right amount of natural light to strike the right ambience.

Sited just under the rear glass roof is the one thing that no large executive sedan can offer - a third row of seats. These are chairs made with real adults in mind too, although the chauffeured would still prefer to take the second row for ease of getting in because here's where the GL450 shows a slight chink in its armour.

Being made primarily for the left-hand-drive market, only the right side seat on the middle row tips forward to allow access to the rear. In our right-hand-drive context, this means climbing in on the side facing traffic, which isn't the safest thing to do.

Fortunately, converting the last row into a storage area proved to be extremely easy. In fact, it's just a button push away and the resulting space is a chasm large enough to swallow galaxies whole. Or, more likely, a couple of full-size golf bags for the weekend.

Price: $351,888 with COE
Engine: 4,633cc 32-valve V8
Transmission: Seven-speed auto with manual select
Power: 340bhp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 460Nm at 2,700-5,000rpm
0-100kmh: 7.2 seconds
Top speed: 235kmh
Fuel consumption: 18.4 litres/100km (city)
Agent: Cycle and Carriage