The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is the company’s flagship SUV, challenging the Land Rover Ranger Rover, Lexus LX570, and the Cadillac Escalade. But it's also old, and despite a name change in 2016, that's beginning to show.
What's New for 2018
Apart from a new wheel design on the GLS 450, there is no change to GLS-Class for 2018.
Choosing Your Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
Formerly called the GL-Class, the GLS-Class comes into 2018 with three trim levels, separated largely by powertrain.
The base GLS450 gets a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic gearbox, along with Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive system and the popular air suspension (called "Airmatic") is standard. Despite weighing over 5000 pounds, the GLS 450 goes from zero to 60 miles per hour in a decent 6.5 seconds. Mileage is 17 miles per gallon in city, 22 highway and 19 mpg combined.
Slotting above the GLS450 is the GLS550, with its 4.7-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine that pushes out 449 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. As with its lesser sibling, all-wheel drive, an air suspension, and a nine-speed automatic transmission come standard. The GLS550 completes the sprint to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, while returning an economy of 14 miles per gallon in city, 18 highway and 16 mpg combined.
No one needs the Mercedes-Benz GLS63 AMG. In fact, you probably don't need the GLS550. We recommend saving some coin and grabbing the perfectly adequate GLS450 with a few optional extras, such as the Premium 1 and Driver Assistance packages.