Used 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS

Putting the “S” in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS name is to inspire us to conjure up thoughts of an S-Class of SUVs. Indeed, that’s pretty much the case with this large, well-appointed, high-tech, off-road-capable land yacht. Pricing starts at $81,800.

Apparently, transferring the S-Class experience to a big SUV was relatively easy. Mercedes simply shoveled gobs of craftsmanship, plushness, high-end materials, extraordinary attention to detail, and lots of cutting-edge tech into a honking-big, 3-row SUV. Like the S-Class, the GLS delivers comfort, as well as a talent for off-roading, and expansive space for seven people and all their gear. If your idea of a fun-packed weekend is to load up the family and head for the mountains in elegant luxury, we highly recommend the GLS.

We find even the GLS 450 to be engaging, satisfying, and, yes, fun to drive. An adaptive suspension is standard, allowing you to dial in that iconic Mercedes comfort, or a noticeable degree of firmness for taking on the twisties. If you want a higher degree of driving dynamics and performance, we suggest you move up to a larger engine and add the E-Active Body Control.

Although we think faux leather in an $82,000 vehicle is inappropriate, what’s in the GLS is a pretty decent leather substitute. Moreover, you can check the leather upholstery box on the options list, if faux leather is a deal breaker. Otherwise, what you have is S-Class pampering and quality throughout the GLS cabin. Adults can fit in all three rows of seats with a maximum occupancy of seven. Twin 12.3-inch displays spread across the instrument panel. The one directly in front of the driver is a digital gauge display; the other is a touchscreen overseeing the infotainment system.

Offering an impressive 41.9 inches of second-row legroom, the GLS is about average for the segment. It’s 34.6 inches of third-row legroom is above average. As for cargo room, among key competitors the GLS excels in cargo room behind the third-row seat and is about average for cargo space behind the front seats. In running some weekend errands, we were confident the GLS would pretty much swallow up whatever we needed to carry. And, it did.

Hey, it’s a big, somewhat plain SUV that will probably need to settle for the “congeniality” prize in a beauty contest.

Multi-Contour Active Seats
Active, in this instance, means massaging. These seats are available for the first and second rows. The multi-contour aspect brings a high degree of adjustability to achieve the ideal position. We think the standard seats are absolutely fine, but we can’t argue with these for long journeys. Or, just for indulgence’s sake, which is no bad thing.

E-Active Body Control
Standard or optional on all but the GLS 450, this is the future of adaptive suspensions. Well, actually the present for several high-class machines. This hydro-pneumatic setup manages to keep the body flat through quick corners, soak up the most heinous bumps in the road — a camera scans what’s just ahead, and the suspension adjusts itself accordingly — and helps enormously with traction in sand or over rocks.

Turbocharged engines
You have a choice of four engine variants in the GLS-Class, each with its own model designation. One is a 6-cylinder turbo and the other three are versions of a biturbo V8. All also feature a 48-volt mild-hybrid (MHEV) system. Engine output varies from 362 horsepower to 603 horsepower.

Safety and driver-aid tech
Every member of the GLS family comes with a comprehensive array of advanced safety features like forward automatic braking, a surround-view camera, and even cross-wind mitigation.

5-zone automatic climate control
What doesn’t Mercedes think of? This system divides the cabin into two front-seat regions, two second-row-seat regions, and a third-row region with individual controls for each. Once you set the temperature for any region, the system automatically maintains that temperature.

Big audio
Standard in every GLS-Class model is a 13-speaker Burmester surround-sound audio system. If you must have more, the upgrade is a 26-speaker Burmester 3D audio system.

MBUX Infotainment System
MBUX is short for Mercedes-Benz User Experience. This user-friendly infotainment setup is one half of the huge display unit on the dashboard. It responds well to voice commands given in natural speech and can act like a digital assistant. We were able to say, “Hey, Mercedes” then ask things like “find the nearest coffee shop.”

Mercedes infused all of the GLS engines with a 48-volt mild-hybrd system. Its responsibilities include smoothing out the engine stop/start function and running some of the ancillary systems like the water pump. When it kicks in, it also boosts horsepower and torque. A 9-speed automatic transmission hustles engine output to all four wheels.

Horsepower output of the base engine doesn’t vary by much in this segment. Most rivals come within 15 or 20 horsepower of the 362 horsepower generated by the Mercedes’ base engine. The Lexus LX delivers 409 horsepower, while the BMW X7 provides 375 horsepower.

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6-cylinder engine (GLS 450)
362 horsepower @ 5,500-6,100 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,500 rpm
EPA combined fuel economy: 20 mpg (18 city, 24 highway)

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (GLS 580)
483 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
516 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,000 rpm
EPA combined fuel economy: 18 mpg (16 city, 21 highway)

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (AMG GLS 63)
603 horsepower @ 5,750-6,500 rpm
627 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-4,500 rpm
EPA combined fuel economy: 15 mpg (14 city, 18 highway)

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (Maybach GLS 600)
550 horsepower @ 6,000-6,500 rpm
538 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-4,500 rpm
EPA combined fuel economy: 17 mpg (14 city, 20 highway)

More GLS-Class fuel economy information is available at the EPA’s website.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Mercedes protects the GLS-Class with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty, which also covers the powertrain. This is average for this segment.

Also Available: High-Performance and Ultra-Lux Versions

We paid short shrift to the small-volume members of the GLS family. They make up a very narrow slice of the GLS pie. Pricing probably has much to do with that.

Priced at $139,000, the AMG GLS 63 is the one to pick if you have no interest in counting the telephone poles as you tear by them. Mercedes claims it goes from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. We certainly have no reason to doubt that. We found it astonishingly quick for the Shrek size of the GLS.

At the top of the price and opulence heap is the Maybach GLS 600. Ringing the register at a mic-dropping $170,000, it is about as elegant as you can make a big SUV. It’s a bargain when compared to the Bentley Bentayga and Land Rover Range Rover SVAutobiography; yet, it’s roughly as lavish. Mercedes reduces its seat-row count to two rows, allowing the second row to move back for more legroom. Well, because the executive you will appreciate stretching out while being driven to the club.