Mercedes GLS Klasse 2025: Luxurious and Technological Full-Size SUV
At the top of the Mercedes-Benz SUV range is the classy and powerful GLS-Class, which earns its place alongside other high-end Benzes with a technology and luxury-laden cabin. A 362-hp turbocharged inline-six is backed by a 48-volt hybrid system to deliver a silky-smooth driving experience, and the GLS’s handling is confident and fluid, making it surprising to drive.
SUV Mercedes GLS Class
All-wheel drive and air suspension are standard, and the GLS can be equipped with novel options such as a camera system that monitors the road for potholes. There’s room for up to seven – though optional second-row captain’s chairs reduce occupancy to six – and everyone should find the GLS’s interior spacious and comfortable. Fuel economy isn’t great, but it’s on par with other large SUV rivals such as the Land Rover Range Rover and Lincoln Navigator , neither of which can match the GLS’s athletic on-road demeanor.
What’s new ?
Mercedes-Benz has been rumored to have dropped most of its V-8 engines , meaning the GLS580 model, which was powered by a 483-hp, twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, will no longer be offered. That leaves the GLS450 as the only offering at the top end of Mercedes-Benz’s SUV range. The GLS580 may return for future model years, though its future seems uncertain at the moment. Elsewhere in the lineup, the GLS450 can now be equipped with an AMG Line optics package as well as a blacked-out Night optics package. Cirrus Silver is now an option, as is Espresso Brown with black leather upholstery. Buyers can now also order all-season floor mats.
The Executive Rear Seat Plus package turns the second row into a luxury zone with massaging seats, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a tablet controller for the GLS infotainment system, soft headrests and side airbags. To order this package, you have to opt for leather upholstery, which surprisingly is not standard.
Engine, transmission and performance
The GLS450’s turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six is silky smooth and good for 362 horsepower; it also uses a 48-volt hybrid system. On our test track, the GLS450 managed a quick 5.5-second run to 60 mph and stopped from 70 mph in a short 154 feet. Despite its size, the GLS-Class is easy to conquer on a twisty road, but it’s not overly sporty or harsh over bumps.
All models come with air suspension as standard, but Mercedes also offers a trick new system called E-Active Body Control. It uses a forward-facing camera to look for bumps and adjusts the suspension accordingly so drivers don’t feel those road imperfections. It’s cool technology, but expensive, and we think most buyers will find the standard setup does a good job.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
EPA fuel economy estimates for the GLS-Class aren’t great. The GLS450 earns 19 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg combined. In our real-world testing, the GLS450 performed slightly better than its rating, managing 24 mpg on our 200-mile highway loop. If fuel economy is a priority for you, the BMW X7 is the better choice in the luxury SUV department. A six-cylinder X7 xDrive40i managed an impressive 28 mpg in our highway test, while an eight-cylinder xDrive50i delivered 24 mpg.
Interior, comfort and cargo
Borrowing the dashboard and cockpit layout of the also new GLE-Class SUV, this generation of GLS is much more modern than the one it replaces. It seats up to seven passengers, but can be fitted with the optional captain’s chairs to seat six.
Passenger space is generous in the first and second rows, and the third row, while not as spacious as the second, can accommodate an adult without complaining—something that can’t be said about the back seat in the X7.
Price Mercedes GLS Class
The first option in the Mercedes GLS class is the GLS 450 4Matic, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of €66,000 plus destination charges. The GLS 580 4Matic costs just under €90,000.
We expect the high-performance Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 to cost around €115,000 and the luxury Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 to cost around €140,000.
