Introducing the Mercedes-Benz GLS
The 'S' in GLS carries real weight at Mercedes-Benz — it signals the same class-leading ambition as the legendary S-Class saloon, and the new GLS makes good on that promise.
Positioned at the pinnacle of the Mercedes-Benz SUV range, the GLS offers commanding proportions — 5,207 mm in length and a long 3,135 mm wheelbase — providing genuinely spacious accommodation across all three rows of seats, with seven fully electrically adjustable positions as standard. Most large SUVs offer seven seats in theory; the new GLS is one of the few that delivers them in practice — for adults, on long journeys and in comfort.
For UK drivers seeking a premium large SUV that combines long-distance comfort with sophisticated technology and unmistakable presence, the new GLS makes a persuasive case.
Design and Practicality
The modernised exterior of the new GLS is led by a larger radiator grille with a striking chrome frame, contour lighting and the distinctive Mercedes-Benz pattern.
A proud, upright Mercedes-Benz star on the bonnet — a hallmark previously associated with the S-Class — gives the GLS an iconic and prestigious new face. New DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps and taillamps in star design ensure immediate recognition. Two new paint finishes and a selection of 21- and 22-inch alloy wheel designs round out the personalisation options.
Step inside, and the same attention to detail continues. Three new trim elements — including open-pore birch wood and walnut — and a warm “Beech Brown” interior colour option create a welcoming environment, all bathed in natural light from a standard panoramic roof spanning over one square metre — among the largest of its kind in any production SUV.
When practicality calls, the second-row seats fold flat to unlock up to 2,400 litres of load space — roughly enough space to fit a full-size fridge on its side.
Technology and Safety
The new GLS is built around MB.OS, the Mercedes-Benz Operating System, which integrates every vehicle function and enables over-the-air updates to keep the car current for years to come.
The standard MBUX Superscreen spans the cockpit, housing three 12.3-inch displays under a single glass surface for an intuitive, highly personalised experience. Navigation is powered by Google Maps technology within the familiar Mercedes-Benz interface, with MBUX Augmented Reality overlaying guidance onto live video for added clarity. Rear passengers, meanwhile, benefit from two 11.6-inch full HD displays with audio and video streaming as part of the MBUX high-end rear entertainment system.
The safety specification is equally thorough. Every GLS is equipped with 10 exterior cameras, up to five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors, all working in concert with MB.OS to monitor and respond to the road ahead. MB.DRIVE Standard includes DISTRONIC distance control as standard, while PRE-SAFE® Sound plays a specific noise through the cabin speakers ahead of an imminent impact — triggering a natural protective reflex in the inner ear that can reduce hearing damage caused by the crash.
For after-dark journeys, the new DIGITAL LIGHT system uses micro-LED technology to illuminate the road up to 600 metres ahead — equivalent to around six football pitches — while consuming up to 50 percent less energy than its predecessor.
Engines and Performance
The new GLS range is powered exclusively by petrol and diesel internal combustion engines — each one fitted with a 48-volt integrated starter generator that provides intelligent mild hybrid assistance. This enables coasting, energy recuperation and near-imperceptible start-stop operation across the range.
The GLS 450 4MATIC uses a revised six-cylinder petrol engine with increased torque of 413lb ft — a 12 percent improvement — thanks to a more powerful electric auxiliary compressor. The range-topping GLS 580 4MATIC is powered by a V8 producing 530bhp and 553lb ft of torque. Diesel buyers can choose between the GLS 350d 4MATIC and GLS 450d 4MATIC, both featuring aluminium engine construction for reduced front-axle weight and improved handling. The diesel engines also use NANOSLIDE® cylinder liner technology — the same coating found in Mercedes' Formula 1 engines — capable of cutting internal engine friction by up to 50 percent.
Keeping all of that performance composed is AIRMATIC air suspension with cloud-based damper regulation — reading the road ahead and adjusting damping before bumps are encountered rather than after. For those who want to go further, the optional E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension analyses the driving situation 1,000 times per second across all four wheels individually, actively countering roll, pitch and lift in real time.
Discover the New Mercedes-Benz GLS at Stratstone
The new Mercedes-Benz GLS brings together commanding design, seven-seat practicality that comfortably accommodates fully grown adults in every row, and a suite of intelligent technology to deliver a large SUV that earns its place at the top of the range. Whether you opt for petrol or diesel power, the GLS offers a refined driving experience suited to both everyday journeys and longer trips.
If you are interested in experiencing the new Mercedes-Benz GLS, please get in touch with your nearest Stratsone Mercedes-Benz retailer and our team will arrange an appointment once the model officially launches.
