Where the Mercedes-Benz G-wagen is designed to announce its presence loudly, the three-row GLS occupies a more restrained corner of the luxury SUV market — a pragmatic choice for affluent buyers who need to haul people, not make a scene. Its approach to wealth is more subdued, focused on life's actual demands rather than social media in South Beach.
The 2027 GLS made its debut at Mercedes-Benz's factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and it continues the model's mission of delivering six or seven passengers in uncomplicated German luxury. The low-profile ambitions have one notable exception: an available illuminated hood ornament. Just like the S-class, the GLS can wear the classic Mercedes star, lit up for maximum after-dark presence.
The GLS580's powertrain receives a modest upgrade, with the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 growing from 510 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque to 530 horsepower and 553 pound-feet. The notable engineering news is that this V-8 now employs a flat-plane crankshaft — Mercedes says the adoption is driven by upcoming emissions compliance rather than any ambition for a high-rpm redline.
A flat-plane crank in a family hauler SUV is genuinely unusual, and we're curious about the sound, though Benz's earlier flat-plane V-8 in the AMG GT Black Series was notably restrained acoustically. The GLS450 carries over its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six at 375 horsepower, though torque climbs from 369 to 413 pound-feet. Mercedes quotes 0-to-60-mph times of 5.4 seconds for the six-cylinder and 4.6 seconds for the V-8. Every GLS retains all-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case offering a 1:2.93 low range.
The third row can accommodate passengers up to 6-feet-4-inches tall, and it receives its own dedicated climate zone with the optional five-zone setup. The Mercedes-Benz Operating System powers the AI experience throughout, which Mercedes says will turn the GLS into "an intelligent companion that thinks, learns, and evolves with customers." We'll see how that plays out in practice, but the existing MBUX assistant has already offered some memorable moments — particularly its tendency to disparage competitors when prompted.
The dashboard centers on the MBUX Superscreen, housing three 12.3-inch displays behind one piece of glass. Welcome animations are customizable, naturally.
Airmatic air suspension comes standard, with the optional E-Active Body Control available on the GLS580. That system uses five multi-core processors to track wheel and body position 1000 times per second. It also has a cloud-powered predictive element: Benzes on the road ahead map surface imperfections and warn following Mercs to pre-adjust their dampers. Mercedes has already filed a patent for the system. Airmatic-equipped GLS models get access to this, while GLS580 buyers can also add E-Active Body Control, which additionally allows the car to rock itself free in sand or adjust individual wheel height for off-road traction. Moab enthusiasts, take note.
Beyond smoothing out the road, the new GLS also introduces vibrating front seats. Four vibration motors in each cushion are promised to "melt away tension" in a way that goes beyond the standard massage mode. And if rear passengers feel left out, the executive rear-seat package extends the treatment to those in back.
For a vehicle that functions as a rolling day spa, you'd expect driving stress to be equally minimized. A forthcoming City Pro driving assist is supposed to provide "a seamless point-to-point driving experience," though that's still a future feature. In the meantime, there's a full suite of assistance systems already aboard. One standout is Rim Protection Warning, which overlays a proximity display showing how close those expensive wheels are getting to the curb. We would never need such a thing.
The outgoing GLS450 started in the low-$90,000 range. Pricing for the new model hasn't been announced, though it will almost certainly be higher. Still — it's less than a G-wagen.
