The Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan holds a special place in our hearts as a benchmark of luxury, technology, and driving refinement. Its ability to blend opulent comfort with cutting-edge innovation is truly remarkable. Naturally, when approaching the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, the SUV counterpart bearing the prestigious “S” designation, expectations were high. While it’s important to acknowledge the GLS starts at a more accessible price point than the S-Class sedan and has been on the market for a bit longer in its current generation, the updated GLS still promises a premium experience. What we discovered is a meticulously engineered, tech-forward, and undeniably posh SUV perfectly tailored for families. Join us as we delve into the pros and cons of the GLS, helping you determine if this high-end SUV is the ideal fit for your needs.
Subtle Yet Effective Design Updates
The current generation Mercedes-Benz GLS made its debut in 2020, and for 2024, Mercedes has given this full-size SUV a refreshing overhaul. The exterior enhancements are tastefully understated. The prominent grille now features two additional horizontal slats, adding a touch of distinction, while the bumpers and taillights have been subtly refined. Our test vehicle, equipped with the AMG Line styling package, showcased a more dynamic front bumper and eliminated the body-colored cladding from the fender flares. The optional AMG-style 22-inch wheels further enhanced its visual appeal.
Despite these updates, the fundamental character of the GLS remains consistent. It’s a generously proportioned, boxy SUV with softened edges and an assertive upright front. It doesn’t exude the overt ruggedness of the Mercedes G-Class, nor does it possess the sleek elegance of the S-Class sedan or the futuristic silhouette of the Mercedes EQS electric SUV. Instead, the GLS embodies the essence of a supremely refined yet practical SUV, appealing to those who prioritize functionality and luxury over ostentatious displays. The slim, horizontally oriented taillights subtly echo the design language of the S-Class sedan, perhaps the most overt visual link between these “S” models. Beyond the styling enhancements, the 2024 GLS incorporates significant upgrades, including enhanced engines and a revamped infotainment system, which we will explore in greater detail below.
A Cabin Lavishly Appointed
True to Mercedes-Benz tradition, the GLS boasts an interior that is richly appointed and meticulously crafted. We were particularly impressed with our test vehicle’s Bahia Brown leather upholstery. It exuded an air of opulence while also feeling robust and durable, suggesting it could withstand the rigors of daily family life without showing wear and tear prematurely. The cabin is dominated by a large digital display, seamlessly integrating a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. However, the presence of ample wood trim, supple leather, and thoughtfully designed elements ensures the GLS interior remains warm and inviting, avoiding a sterile, overly digital ambiance. Sturdy, leather-wrapped grab handles on the center console further differentiate it from a traditional sedan, reinforcing its SUV identity.
Despite the overall excellence, we noted a couple of minor drawbacks. Firstly, the GLS dashboard architecture is largely shared with the smaller Mercedes-Benz GLE, a model that starts at a significantly lower price point. Given the GLS’s premium positioning, we hoped for a more unique and differentiated cabin design to justify the price gap. Secondly, some of the GLS’s controls can be somewhat cumbersome. This includes the new partially touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons, the multi-step processes required to navigate the infotainment system (even post-updates), and the system’s occasionally intrusive voice command prompts, even when not initiated. It’s worth noting that complex controls are not uncommon in the luxury SUV segment, and even the GLE features a very pleasant interior by broader standards. While the GLS cabin might not overwhelm those accustomed to ultra-high-end vehicles, it certainly avoids any sense of compromise or cost-cutting.
Generous Space for Passengers
While the GLS interior design may echo the GLE, the most significant differentiator is the sheer amount of space within the larger Benz. At 205 inches in length, the GLS extends nearly a foot longer than the GLE, although it remains approximately 6 inches shorter than rivals like the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator.
The GLS comes standard with three rows of seating, accommodating seven passengers with the standard second-row bench seat, as equipped in our test vehicle. Alternatively, six-passenger seating is available with optional second-row captain’s chairs. Rear passengers benefit from power-adjustable seats, utilizing the same convenient door-mounted controls found in the front. Notably, unlike many three-row crossovers, the GLS’s third row is genuinely usable for adults, particularly if second-row occupants are willing to concede a portion of their ample legroom. Of course, even with its focus on three-row practicality, the GLS prioritizes driver comfort. The supportive front seats come standard with heating and ventilation, and our test vehicle included an optional $1,750 package adding a selection of massage programs.
Ample Cargo Capacity
Beyond passenger space, the GLS also provides generous cargo capacity. Numerically, it offers 17.4 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expanding to 42.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a substantial 84.7 cubic feet with both rear rows folded down. These figures are comparable to typical family-oriented three-row crossover SUVs like the Toyota Highlander or Ford Explorer and surpass most luxury competitors, except for the larger Cadillac and Lincoln models.
The GLS further enhances practicality with power-folding second and third-row seats, activated at the touch of a button. The system intelligently slides the front seats forward to ensure sufficient clearance for folding. However, the rear seats do not automatically return to their original positions when unfolded, and they do not fold completely flat. This design choice prioritizes seat comfort over maximizing every last cubic foot of cargo volume, a trade-off likely to resonate with most buyers. For those needing to tow, the GLS boasts a substantial towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds.
Enhanced Power and Improved Fuel Efficiency
The most significant updates for the 2024 GLS lie beneath the hood. Specifically, the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine in the base GLS 450 model now produces 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant delivers a refined and potent surge of power, propelling the SUV to 60 mph in a swift 5.8 seconds. Impressively, this engine is not only more powerful than the previous year’s 362-hp version but also achieves a 1 mpg improvement in fuel economy. EPA estimates are 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, which is commendable for a large and powerful SUV. (The BMW X7, a key competitor, does achieve slightly better fuel economy.) We matched the EPA combined estimate during our week-long test.
Beyond the base engine, the GLS offers two V8 options. The GLS 580, focused on luxury, now generates 510 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque, reducing the 0-60 mph sprint to 4.7 seconds, but fuel economy drops to 16 mpg combined – 2 mpg lower than the previous year. The GLS 600 increases output to 550 hp, but its added weight results in similar acceleration (4.8 seconds to 60 mph). The high-performance GLS 63 AMG (603 hp, 627 lb-ft) achieves a blistering 4.1-second 0-60 mph time without a significant fuel economy penalty. For most buyers, the already-potent and now more efficient GLS 450 appears to be the most compelling choice.
Surprisingly Agile for its Size
A hallmark of the S-Class sedan is its exceptional blend of a supremely smooth ride and surprising agility. While the GLS, being a taller SUV with a higher center of gravity, operates within different physics, it manages to strike a commendable balance.
The GLS delivers a comfortable and quiet ride while exhibiting handling prowess that surpasses competitors like the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator in cornering scenarios. It also maintains the robustness required for towing substantial trailers and offers 8 inches of ground clearance for navigating light off-road conditions like mud and snow. While we found the BMW X7 to offer a slightly more refined ride and handling experience, the GLS is certainly in the same competitive set. Our test vehicle’s large 22-inch wheels likely compromised ride comfort to some extent. The AMG variant pairs a stiffer sport-tuned suspension with its increased power output, but for most three-row SUV buyers, the standard suspension configuration provides an optimal compromise between comfort and composed handling.
Premium Pricing Reflects Premium Features
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 starts at $87,000, representing a $5,000 increase from the previous model year. Even at this base price, it is generously equipped with luxury features, but the option list allows for significant customization and price escalation. Our test vehicle reached $97,230 before the $1,150 destination charge, and it still lacked some features one might expect at this price point, such as soft-close doors, a head-up display, and second-row sunshades. However, if your budget permits and you can imagine an option, it is likely available on the GLS.
Stepping up to higher performance models involves a significant price jump. The GLS 580 starts at $112,000, the GLS 63 AMG at $145,850, and the ultra-luxurious Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 commands a price of $174,350. The Maybach GLS 600, positioned under Mercedes’s exclusive Maybach sub-brand, features unique styling cues and a maximum level of standard equipment.
Key Competitors in the Luxury SUV Segment
The GLS competes in a crowded and competitive segment of three-row luxury SUVs. Its primary rival is the BMW X7, a model we hold in high regard. We find the X7 slightly more engaging to drive and prefer its infotainment system, and it also typically comes with a lower price tag. However, the GLS offers a more spacious third-row seat and greater cargo capacity behind it, making it arguably the more practical family vehicle. The GLS also presents a more practical and often more affordable alternative to the opulent Land Rover Range Rover, which, in its latest generation, now offers a (small) third-row seat for the first time.
The Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator represent other significant competitors. Both are larger and more imposing than the GLS, prioritizing sheer size and presence over driving dynamics. Between these two, we favor the better-finished Lincoln, although the Escalade offers even more interior space. The recently introduced Lexus TX is another viable alternative, providing comparable space at a significantly lower price point, albeit sacrificing some of the glitz, performance, and overall sense of ultimate luxury. Finally, Mercedes encourages consideration of the all-electric EQS SUV, which surpasses the GLS in many objective measures but carries a higher starting price and necessitates charging stops for longer journeys.
The Verdict: A Spacious and Luxurious Family SUV
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS is best understood not as a direct SUV equivalent of the S-Class sedan, but rather as a more spacious iteration of the popular Mercedes GLE. While it may not completely overwhelm with groundbreaking innovation, it doesn’t need to. For families who appreciate the qualities of the best-selling GLE and require additional space, the GLS is a compelling option, even if it commands a premium.
The GLE is already an exceptionally engineered vehicle with abundant luxury, so the GLS’s inherent similarities are not necessarily a weakness. Buyers already drawn to the Mercedes-Benz brand will appreciate the GLS’s blend of traditional luxury in a family-friendly SUV package. And as noted, each of the GLS’s strong competitors has its own set of compromises. While perhaps not eliciting the same level of passionate admiration as the S-Class, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS, when viewed with realistic expectations, remains an excellent choice for a luxurious and spacious family SUV.
