The Mercedes Benz GLSHow the associated GLEhas had a major refresh inside and out and will reach Australia sometime in 2027.
The GLS, the German luxury brand’s largest SUV, entered production in its current generation in 2019, with a slight facelift in 2024.
This time the GLS has received a significantly changed front and rear design as well as a revised interior.
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There’s a new, larger grille with larger headlight clusters – equipped with the brand’s latest Digital Light LED technology – seemingly merging with it, and its surround features illumination, as brands like BMW have done.
Illuminated logos are also very popular now and, depending on the market, the GLS offers a raised hood ornament that lights up.
In case you forgot that Mercedes-Benz’s logo is a three-pointed star, the brand has put that shape everywhere. You can find it in the grille pattern, the LED daytime running lights and the taillights.
Other visual changes include a new front bumper, new 21- and 22-inch alloy wheel designs, and two new exterior paint finishes: Dark Petrol Flat and Manufaktur Patagonia Red Metallic.
Out back, there’s a chunky, full-width assembly that integrates the starry taillights and emblem.
The interior is arguably even more elegant than before as the MBUX Superscreen is now standard. This includes a digital instrument cluster, an infotainment touchscreen and a passenger display under a piece of glass; All screens are 12.3 inches in size.
The passenger indicator only appears when the vehicle detects that a passenger is present, otherwise it simply displays – you guessed it – a star pattern.
Additional screens are available, including a rear-seat entertainment option with two 11.6-inch HD displays.
The air vents at either end of the dashboard are also now round, something of a Mercedes-Benz trademark, while the steering wheel features galvanized metal rollers and rocker switches. However, the center console retains its distinctive grab handles.
Other interior changes include new seat “graphics” and stitching, as well as a newly available vibration massage function for the front and second row seats. a new Beech Brown colorway; and new inlays, including dark brown open-pore birch and brown open-pore walnut.
There have also been changes under the skin.
The GLS580 twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine is converted to a flat crankshaft to help the curved eight-cylinder engine meet future emissions standards. Power and torque are increased from 380 kW and 730 Nm to 395 kW and 750 Nm.
The 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six GLS450 has slightly more torque – now 560Nm (was 500Nm) – thanks to changes such as a modified intake camshaft and cylinder head.
The range also continues to include the GLS350d and GLS450d 3.0-litre inline-six turbocharged engines. Mercedes-Benz has not yet provided any detailed information about a hot AMG version of the updated GLS.
All GLS engines feature a 48V mild hybrid system with an integrated starter generator, designed to reduce fuel consumption by allowing the vehicle to recuperate energy and idle with the engine off.
Mercedes-Benz has added further insulation to reduce noise, vibration and bumps, including a special heavy mat on the engine cover and a non-woven material for the transmission tunnel and engine bulkhead.
The Airmatic air suspension has been retuned for a firmer, sportier feel but improved comfort, and the 48V E-Active Body Control active suspension system remains available. This allows the spring and damper forces on each wheel to be controlled individually.
The range of active safety and driver assistance technologies has been expanded. The MB Drive parking assistant can now, among other things, park the vehicle diagonally and in areas that are not marked by white lines. The all-round camera system also has new and improved views.
There are different levels of semi-autonomous driving, ranging from MB Drive Standard to MB Drive Assist, MB Drive Assist Plus and MB Drive Assist Pro – the latter initially only available in China, with the US to follow – which “enables a seamless and safe point-to-point driving experience even in dense city traffic.”
The US-built GLS isn’t Mercedes-Benz’s most expensive SUV – that’s the G-Class SUV – but it is the largest, measuring 5,207mm long and with a 3,135mm wheelbase, making it 60mm longer than the GLE.
It also has three rows of seats, with all seats being electrically adjustable. According to Mercedes-Benz, even the third-row seats can accommodate people up to 1.94 m tall.
The GLS’s predecessor, which Mercedes-Benz calls the “S-Class of SUVs,” was called the GL – before the three-pointed star brand introduced the GLS nameplate to match its flagship sedan.
MORE: Discover the Mercedes-Benz GLS
