The Mercedes-Benz GLS, like the related GLE, has been substantially refreshed inside and out and will reach Australia sometime in 2027.
The German luxury brand’s largest SUV, the GLS entered production in its current generation back in 2019, with a mild facelift arriving in 2024.
This time around, the GLS has received significantly different front- and rear-end styling, plus an overhauled interior.
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There’s a new, larger grille, with larger headlight clusters – featuring the brand’s latest Digital Light LED technology – appearing to blend into it and its surround featuring illumination like brands like BMW have been doing too.
Illuminated logos are also all the rage now, and the GLS offers a stand-up bonnet ornament that lights up depending on the market.
In case you forgot Mercedes-Benz’s logo is a three-pointed star, the brand has been putting this shape everywhere. You’ll find it in the grille pattern, the LED daytime running lights, and within the tail-lights.
Other visual changes include a new front bumper, new 21- and 22-inch alloy wheel designs, and two new exterior finishes: Dark Petrol flat and Manufaktur Patagonia Red metallic.
Down back, there’s a chunky full-width assembly incorporating the starry-eyed tail-lights and the badge.
The interior is arguably even more distinguished from before, with the MBUX Superscreen now standard. This incorporates a digital instrument cluster, infotainment touchscreen, and passenger display under one piece of glass; all screens measure 12.3 inches.
The passenger display will only appear when the vehicle detects a passenger is present, otherwise it’ll simply display – you guessed it – a star pattern.
More screens are available, with a rear-seat entertainment option bringing two 11.6-inch HD displays.
The air vents at either end of the dashboard are also now round, which is something of a Mercedes-Benz trademark, while the steering wheel features galvanised metal rollers and rocker switches. The centre console, however, retains its prominent grab handles.
Other interior changes include new seat ‘graphics’ and stitching plus a newly available vibrating massage function for the front and second-row seats; a new Beech Brown colourway; and new inlays including dark brown open-pore birch wood and brown open-pore walnut.
Changes have been made under the skin, too.
The twin-turbo 4.0-litre petrol V8-powered GLS580 upgrades to a flat-plane crankshaft, aimed at helping the bent eight meet future emissions standards, with power and torque bumped from 380kW and 730Nm to 395kW and 750Nm.
The turbo 3.0-litre inline-six powered GLS450 has slightly more torque – now 560Nm, up from 500Nm – thanks to changes such as a modified intake camshaft and cylinder-head.
The range also continues to include the turbo 3.0-litre inline six-powered GLS350d and GLS450d. Mercedes-Benz has yet to detail a hot AMG version of the updated GLS.
All GLS engines feature a 48V mild-hybrid system with an integrated starter generator, intended to reduce fuel consumption by allowing the vehicle to recuperate energy and coast with the engine off.
Mercedes-Benz has added more insulation to reduce noise, vibration and harshness, including a special heavy mat fitted to 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 can individually control the spring and damper forces on each wheel.
The suite of active safety and driver assist technology has been enhanced, with the MB Drive Parking Assist system now able to park the vehicle diagonally and in spaces not marked by white lines, among other changes. The surround-view camera system also has new and improved views.
There are varying levels of semi-autonomous driving, starting with MB Drive Standard and rising to MB Drive Assist, MB Drive Assist Plus, and MB Drive Assist Pro – the latter initially available only 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 off-roader – but it is the largest, measuring 5207mm long on a 3135mm wheelbase, the latter making it 60mm longer than the GLE.
It also features three rows of seating, with all seats power-adjustable. Mercedes-Benz claims even the third-row seats can accommodate people up to 1.94m tall.
The predecessor of the GLS, which Mercedes-Benz calls the “S-Class of SUVs”, was called the GL – before the three-pointed star brand introduced the GLS nameplate to align it with its flagship sedan.