MERCEDES-BENZ IS EXPECTING more good sales for the largest and most luxurious SUV in its range.
More spacious and well-appointed than ever, the GLS features expanded dimensions, new technology and added comfort and safety features. The family-friendly seven-seater also looks the part, with exterior styling updates inspired by the popular and distinctive GLC and GLE SUV models.
More space, greater family flexibility
Catering to growing and blended families, the new Mercedes-Benz GLS has grown in key dimensions including length (up by 77mm), width (up by 22mm) and wheelbase (up by 60mm), while electric adjustability in all three rows allows precise configuration of the accommodation for all passengers. Tall interior dimensions and upright seating mean the second row is comfortable for passengers up to two metres tall (almost 6’7” for those of your to whom metres mean little), while the third row can easily accommodate passengers up to 1.94m (6’4”). The additional wheelbase length also makes it easier than ever for passengers to access the third row of seating.
Cargo space opens up to a lavish 2400 litres when the third row is lowered into the boot floor and the second row is folded flat, an improvement of 100 litres over the outgoing model. The floor length of the luggage compartment is nearly 2.22m, more than 9cm longer than in the predecessor.
With all three rows of seating in use, luggage capacity is 355 litres (up 20 litres over the preceding generation) when loaded to the top of the backrest. Cargo capacity rises to 890 litres with the third row folded, and an impressive 1470 litres with all rear seats stowed away. Loaded to the roof, those capacity figures are 470, 1350 and 2400 litres respectively.
Added functionality
The new GLS SUV incorporates a number of the latest technological and comfort innovations, including a sports steering wheel equipped with smartphone-style touch and swipe controls, two 12.3-inch fully digital displays including a centre touchscreen, the advanced MBUX infotainment system with voice-initiated operation, Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto smartphone integration and wireless charging, ambient lighting with 64 colours, and Traffic Sign Assist, which can display the current speed limit. The Mercedes me Connect smartphone app enables control over a suite of key vehicle functions and handy vehicle status monitoring.
The AIRMATIC air suspension package is offered as standard, along with MULTIBEAM LED headlights.
Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC
The GLS 450 4MATIC model is equipped with a powerful new 3.0-litre, inline six-cylinder petrol engine making 270 kW and 500 Nm, allied to a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission and the assurance of 4MATIC all-wheel-drive.
The engine also features advanced EQ Boost mild hybrid technology, incorporating a 48-volt integrated starter-generator (ISG) that regenerates kinetic energy in order to electrically assist the drivetrain.
This can boost outputs for short periods by up to 16kW and 250Nm, creating smoother and more consistent power delivery under acceleration. EQ Boost also enables the GLS to engage ‘sailing’ mode, during which a constant speed may temporarily be maintained without input from the combustion engine, creating the potential for fuel savings. Its fuel economy is rated at 9.2L/100km for the ADR combined cycle.
Clothed in the sporty AMG Line exterior package, the GLS 450 is packed with other standard features such as seven seats in leather upholstery with adjustability in all three rows, electrically operated multi-contour front seats with heating and ventilation, satellite navigation with live traffic, a Burmester surround sound system with 13 speakers and 590 watts, head-up display, and THERMOTRONIC four-zone climate control.
The GLS 450 has a panoramic sliding sunroof, powered tailgate, power-closing doors, and rides on 21-inch AMG 5 twin-spoke alloy wheels.
Safety is paramount and the GLS 450 is equipped with a comprehensive suite including nine airbags, DISTRONIC PLUS active cruise control, PARKTRONIC active parking assist with 360-degree camera, lane-keeping and lane-change assist, blind spot assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The GLS 450 also has a standard braked towing capacity of 3500kg. Specifying the optional Towbar Package ($1,900) adds towbar fitment plus trailer stabilisation, which can detect sway at speeds above 65km/h and apply compensatory braking to individual wheels.
An optional Off-Road Engineering Package ($3,500) adds fully variable all-wheel-drive and a low-range off-road gearbox along with variable torque distribution, downhill speed regulation, and the addition of an Off-Road driving mode suited to a variety of surfaces, and underbody protection.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC is priced at $144,600 (plus on road costs).
Mercedes-Benz GLS 400 d 4MATIC
The GLS 400 d 4MATIC packs a new 3.0-litre, inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine making 243 kW and an impressive 700 Nm, in conjunction with the 9G-TRONIC auto and 4MATIC all-wheel-drive.
It features the same comprehensive equipment specification and generous towing capacity as the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC, and has a fuel efficiency rating of 7.7L/100km.
Customers may individually tailor their GLS with a choice of 10 exterior paint options, three leather colours, two open-pore wood-trim finishes, and three different AMG alloy wheel designs ranging from the standard 21-inch package up to 23-inches.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS 400 d 4MATIC is priced at $151,300 (plus on road costs).
Deliveries of the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLS will start in December 2019.
Once we have tested and assessed the new Mercedes-Benz GLS, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.