The updated GLS range made its way to local shores earlier in 2024. It features some changes in its equipment, design and more to make it more appealing in the large luxury SUV market. This is, after all, a flagship seven-seater SUV with the executive person who has versatility in mind.
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There's a long list of standard equipment available, and some tasteful options are ticked off on our test unit, which would be the desire of many after this sort of vehicle. It's not just about the luxury equipment, though. The versatility this vehicle offers and its premium appeal are something to admire. We had the GLS in 450d 4Matic trim.
Pros
- Exceptional powertrain
- Stout and well-executed styling
- Intuitive to pilot
Cons
- Large dimensions even with driver assistance, can make it intimidating for some to drive
Styling
One thing that catches your eye about the GLS is how well-proportioned the exterior is. The many design elements combine to give this very strapping, athletic appearance. It's not loud and proud, but it has a presence. The AMG Line kit fitted to our test kit is the icing on the cake with the Obsidian Black paintwork. In front, the large grille with Silver Shadow colour finished louvres running across the grille. The headlights have blacked-out inserts with LED strips, bars, and projectors to complement the silver grille, while the lower air dam and bumper trims have a subtle grin on them. Along the side are the side runners with metal trim and dimpled rubber on the surface. The 21-inch twin 5 Spoke AMG alloys are also machined and finished in gloss black. Some would argue that lower-profile tyres could have been used here, but we think the profile is just about right and will help with comfort, too.
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Space and Comfort
The elegance continues in the GLS's cabin. The dashboard has a horizontal motif, as the trim pieces also run parallel. The infotainment, climate controls and more follow a rectangular theme. Our test unit has Anthracite open-pore oak wood trim, which you'll find around the cabin. The wood looks classy and has a great texture. The dashboard and door cards consist of man-made leather and grey stitching to connect it all together. As always, the AMG steering wheel, which you'll find in many AMG-optioned Mercedes-Benz cabins, is well-designed. The rim is thick, and the Nappa leather feels good. Speaking of leather, Rough Leather, finished in black, graces the cushy luxury seats.
The seven-seat aspect of this vehicle adds to its versatility. It's not just a party in the front; everyone enjoys the GLS experience. Pulling the third row up and down is electronically operated and easy. Regarding boot space volumes, depending on how many seat rows you want to fold, you can have anywhere from 355 to 2400 litres, which is more than ample for that family road trip or a visit to the hardware shop.
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Comfort and Convenience
There isn't a significant emphasis on touch controls in the GLS's cabin, with some analogue controls still available to handle infotainment and climate control duties. We quite like the balance of functionality here. Unlike the other current Mercedes-Benz, there is a smaller infotainment screen, but it is set up in a widescreen format. MBUX, with extended functionality, is here, along with the 'Hey Mercedes' Voice assistant, which you can use to control many vehicle functions. Infotainment and some vehicle controls are present in the centre console, along with a mix of rotary, touch, and physical buttons for some vehicle functions, including a toggle switch to adjust the vehicle ride height with the air suspension.
On the road, the GLS does what you expect of a flagship SUV, and the various operations of the vehicle are intuitive to use. Comfort, as you'd expect, is next level with minimal NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness). The magic carpet effect is in full force here as the softly-sprung suspension with active dampening keeps the ride comfortable even on rougher roads. The vehicle is large, so it can be intimidating to drive when the roads or parking areas get narrow.
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The Drive
We have the show, but what's the go here? A straight-six turbodiesel engine with mild-hybrid technology provides the goods. The brand's 9G-Tronic automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels. Power figures are 270 kW and a hefty 750 Nm. The powertrain is sublime, with strong power delivery and near-seamless shifting from the 'box. The noise the motor generates is surprisingly sonorous for a diesel, and the inherent smoothness of straight-six engines lends itself to the luxurious experience the brand is after. Similarly, the Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) keeps start-ups smooth even with the morning cold start.
Performance
Handling-wise, yes, the GLS is heavy, as you'd expect it to be just shy of 2 500kg, but much of that is masked by the suspension, as mentioned above, with active dampening. The 45 profile tyres do help with the comfort and road-holding. For open road commuting, the GLS will easily lap the long trip up. Regarding offroading, the MBUX system accommodates 'Off-Road Mode,' which will display information such as gradient, lateral inclination, compass, and steering angle, which is done using imagery. In our test period, we used the vehicle mostly in urban settings but did cycle through the "Off-Road" mode menus to see what was available for us to play with.
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Fuel Consumption
The GLS450d's claimed fuel consumption is around 9.0 L /100km. In our test period, we got around 11 L/100 km.
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Safety
You'll find the following notable safety equipment in our test unit:
- 9 airbags
- Driving Assistance Plus Package (Active Steering Assist, Active Stop-and-Go Assist, DISTRONIC PLUS, Traffic Sign Assist, Exit Warning Function.)
- Blind Spot Assist
- Active Lane Keep Assist
- Active Brake Assist
- Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call System
- Tyre Pressure Monitor
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Price
It's worth noting that our test unit came equipped with over R300 000 in optional equipment. We'll list the base pricing here. The GLS450d comes with a 5-year/100 000km maintenance plan as part of the PremiumDrive plan.
| Model | Price (incl. VAT) |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS450d 4MATIC | from R2 323 337 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS580 4MATIC AMG Line | from R2 876 699 |
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Competitors
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport
- BMW X7
- Lexus LX
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The Verdict
It's hard to fault the GLS450d, from the VIP looks and solid powertrain to the plush yet intuitive interior. It aces the flagship designation without a sweat. The plethora of standard equipment can easily populate a long list, and the refreshments made to the range now are welcomed. It's worth a look if you're shopping in this segment!
