For such a big vehicle, the Mercedes GLS carries a surprisingly low profile. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the further improved version of the third generation model.
Ten Second Review
Some Mercedes models are the epitome of on-road luxury. Others are almost unrivalled for off-road prowess. And then there's one which claims to offer the best of both: the GLS. This is the very few super-luxury SUVs that can seat seven fully-sized adults. And it claims to be able to do so while offering a properly dynamic drive on road as well as extreme capability off it. This further improved version of the third generation X167-era design is smarter, plusher and even more sophisticated. Got a family? You'd like one.
Background
This Mercedes GLS has always been a vehicle billed as 'the S-Class of SUVs', a luxury conveyance for those whose real - or more likely imagined - commute to the real world is from a craggy mountaintop. This model line is now in its third generation and we're looking here at the second update made to the current X167-era MK3 design.
This model line has actually only been badged 'GLS' since 2016. Prior to that, it was known as the 'GL-Class', first launched in its initial X164 form in 2006, with the second generation X166 version arriving in 2012. That MK2 version was facelifted four years into production, at which point the 'GLS' branding was adopted. The current X167-era MK3 design arrived in 2019 and gained a mild update in 2023 which lasted it until the more far-reaching enhancement we look at here was introduced in mid-2026.
This Mercedes model line has always featured a third seating row, something that's always set this SUV apart in a luxury 4x4 market that rarely offers this option - or if it does, often restricts practical use of the extra seats to children. Not so here. This isn't a new generation GLS, but there are various engineering updates and a completely new front-of-cabin experience. Let's take a closer look.
Engines and Tech Spec
Not everyone is going to feel comfortable piloting something of this size but provided you do, then GLS motoring is a pretty fabulous way to view your everyday world. AIRMATIC air suspension with the brand's 'ADS Adaptive Damping System Plus' package smoothes your way over poor surfaces and power is transmitted by 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission. The key engine offered in our market is the six cylinder diesel fitted to the main GLS 450 d variant, a unit with mild hybrid tech and the same one as used by the S-Class saloon. It offers 362hp and a massive 750Nm of torque. 0-62mph takes 6.1s en route to 155mph. For those who can never have too many Tiger tokens, there's also a wild turbo 4.0-litre petrol V8 in the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 variant.
4MATIC 4WD is standard of course, which works using a transfer case with an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch. This allows a variable transfer of drive torque from 0-100 percent between the axles. As an option, buyers can now specify a transfer case specially configured for better off-road driving characteristics which features a reduction gear for off-road driving. Also, when driving on the road, and particularly when cornering, the two fully networked transfer cases improve handling agility by specifically influencing the degree of yaw to induce oversteer or understeer. A key option is the E-Active body control system - basically an intelligent active suspension set-up. This uses more than 20 sensors and five processors to adjust the suspension 1,000 times a second.
Design and Build
The GLS has always been huge - and this one still is, at over 5.2-metres in length. With this second update, this X167-era MK3 design gets a much sharper look, with bigger LED Multibeam headlights, which get improved Digital Light technology (with 40% longer range) feature a new stacked star motif. They flank a larger grille with a huge central star. There are changes at the rear too, where the lights have been re-styled with three-star points. As before, AMG Line body styling is standard and wheel sizes are big - either 22 or 23-inches.
The major changes though, lie inside the leather-lined cabin. Where the brand has now standardised its dashboard-wide MBUX Superscreen, which incorporates a passenger-side display, one of three 12.3-inch monitors behind a single glass surface. There's also an augmented reality head-up display and a redesigned steering wheel with physical rocker controls.
As before, this is the most spacious large SUV of its kind, especially in the second row, where the bench can slide back and forth and where legroom is generous. A pair of 11.6-inch displays can now be fitted to the front seat backs for an added MBUX rear seat entertainment system. As previously, a third seating row is standard (suitable for adults of up to 1.94m in height) and an 'EASY ENTRY' function makes these rearmost chairs easy to get to.
A push of a button is all that is required to stow away the second and third row seats and make full use of the 2,400-litre boot space in the GLS. The switches on the left and right of the load compartment and on the front of the wheel arches on the front-passenger side in the C-pillar area allow the seats in the rear rows to be folded completely flat.
Market and Model
Mercedes bases GLS sales in the UK primarily around diesel power (as it has to given that PHEV tech won't fit in this 7-seat SUV). Don't expect prices to change much over the earlier version of this X167-era model, which means a starting point of around £112,000 upwards for the core 450 d variant; the days are long gone when you could have a GLS for around £80,000. As before, 4MATIC 4WD is of course standard and seven seats are standardised for the UK.
As before, you can ask your dealer about a high performance Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+ model (think around £160,000); and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS flagship version continues (think from around £185,000). Both these top variants now use an all-new flat-plane-crank V8 with mild hybrid tech.
Obviously there's loads of standard kit - AIRMATIC air suspension, side running boards, a panoramic glass roof, roof rails and big alloy wheels of at least 22-inches in size, with bespoke 23-inch rims optional. Inside, the dashboard-wide Superscreen (with its passenger-side monitor) and an 18-inch Augmented-reality head-up display are also now standard. And as before, all versions get leather upholstery, heated rear seats and a Burmester sound system.
There's loads of standard tech too. The brand's 'MB.DRIVE Standard' package comes included, with functions such as DISTRONIC distance control. MB.DRIVE PARKING ASSIST detects parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle at a particularly early stage. It also detects free spaces that are not marked by white lines.
The 'reversing function' Digital Extra enables the vehicle to automatically retrace part of the route most recently driven forwards, with system support available under certain conditions.
MB.DRIVE PARKING ASSIST 360 offers new and improved surround views with its 360-degree camera and a redesigned human-machine interface. The digital extra "wheel rim protection warning" displays a topview distance alert when manoeuvring, helping the driver avoid damage to the wheels.
Cost of Ownership
Mercedes has put a lot of thought into trying to make this car more efficient. The 450 d diesel unit features a clever electrically heated catalytic converter, there to clean harmful pollutants from the exhaust faster and more efficiently. And the mild hybrid system will run the stop/start system, provide a small amount of mid-range accelerating boost, recuperate energy when the car shows down and allow for engine-off coasting. The 'EQ Boost' mild hybrid technology features an integrated starter generator powered by a 48V on-board electrical system. As a result, for the GLS 450 d 4MATIC diesel, you're looking at up to 33.6mpg on the WLTP-rated combined cycle and up to 222g/km of CO2. BiK taxation will be...taxing. If that bothers you, choose the brand's equivalently-sized 7-seat all-electric EQS SUV instead.
What else? Well, we'll tell you that the three year warranty is built upon by Mercedes' Mobilo scheme which delivers breakdown cover for up to thirty years, as long as you continue to have your car serviced at a Mercedes main dealer. And it's worth knowing that your maintenance outlay can be kept a little in check by going for the optional Service Care package that takes care of routine maintenance, spreading the cost of regular servicing, guaranteeing the price of parts and labour for up to four services and covering the cost of all recommended service items such as brake fluid, spark plugs, air filters, fuel filters and screen wash.
There's also an ASSYST dashboard service indicator that monitors engine use and tells you exactly when a garage visit is due. It's also worth mentioning that the 'Mercedes me' remote online services package that comes as part of the infotainment system includes remote self-diagnostic capability, enabling your GLS to monitor wear and tear items and alert your local dealer to let you know if something needs seeing to.
Summary
If you're in the unusual position of wanting a huge 7-seat super-luxury SUV that can climb the lower slopes of Snowdon, then stop by Sainsburys on the way to an evening at the Ritz, then you won't be disappointed with this one.
But then, that much we already knew about this Mercedes. The thing that's changed with this further improved version of the X167-era MK3 design is that can now better appeal to would-be lower-order Range Rover buyers. These people may not necessarily need this car's huge size or ultimate off-road prowess but hey, they didn't really need a big SUV in the first place, so why not buy one that really ticks all the boxes?
This GLS does and now manages to do so with a far more dynamic personality. True, it's not quite the all-round proposition a Range Rover can be but in many respects, it offers far more car for much less money. Which means that in your SUV search for the biggest and the best, you shouldn't overlook it.
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