There's a certain aplomb to a big Mercedes-Benz. It's the same substantial feeling whether you're talking about an S-Class sedan or the corresponding GLS SUV. Mercedes has cultivated that feeling for decades, and it comes through in the solid feeling and sound of the doors when you close them, and in the way the Mercedes rides over bumps.
Of course, there's much more than gravitas to a modern Mercedes SUV. You also get plenty of power from the twin-turbocharged V8 engine, and the ability to adjust the suspension to a more firm setting. But nothing really changes the overall experience. If luxury is your thing, you really can't get more luxurious than the GLS, unless maybe you buy the Maybach version of the same vehicle. But you won't get more luxury from Range Rover, Cadillac, GMC Denali, or even Aston Martin. That's what makes the GLS actually a pretty good deal at $125,000 or so.
Let's go through the reasons why that's true. First, there's the driveline. The 4.0-liter biturbo V8 produces 510 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque — and you can bump that up over 600 horsepower if you choose the AMG version instead of the GLS 580. Mercedes' 9-speed automatic transmission is silky smooth — you step on the pedal and this SUV just goes as quickly as you might want to. Power is distributed to all four wheels by the Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, which is nearly magical on snow and ice. Get yourself a good set of studless snow tires and wheels for the winter, and you will never have to worry about the weather. The GLS 580 rides on an air-pressure suspension, so you can lower the vehicle for entry and exit, and raise it up to cross challenging terrain.
Then there's the interior. Mercedes gives the front seats everything they've got, from massage functions and heat to cooling ventilation. The second row had the optional captain chairs, and those are heated, too. There's a third row, so the GLS will seat six in this configuration, but I didn't try to get back there. The seats aren't just comfortable, they're soft and cushy. Oh, the cup holders for the front seats are heated and cooled, to keep your drinks the way you like them.
Even without the optional $1,100 on the Acoustic Comfort Package, the GLS is quiet inside. That helps you enjoy the $4,550 Burmester 3D surround sound system. I listen to a lot of stereos, but the Burmester was the first one that had me checking whether I was listening to an alternate recording of familiar songs. It really does sound different from any other car stereo system.
On the dash, you get a 12.3-inch touchscreen display and another screen the same size for your driver information display. All are encased in one continuous pane of glass. But you'll rarely need to put a fingerprint on the beautiful glass display because all you have to do is say "Hey Mercedes" and the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system is ready to do anything for you. You can ask the system to turn on the driver's seat massage and heat, change the radio station, navigate you to the nearest Thai restaurant, or have it recite your favorite poem. Really, the system has its own Internet connection, and it can recite a poem or read a Wikipedia page for you. Mercedes gives the MBUX system an astonishing vocabulary.
From the outside, the GLS looks every bit like a Mercedes-Benz. It's nice-looking within the bounds of a two-box standard SUV. The 580 version has some nice touches like illuminated running boards and 22-inch wheels. Hidden under the skin is state-of-the-art safety and driver assistance, including a surround-view camera system, active steering assistance, and active parking assistance, in addition to all the usual refinements you would expect on a Mercedes.
The base price of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 is $112,000, which is not at all out of the ballpark for SUVs of this class. Kitted out with all the stuff I described, the GLS comes to $125,770. Honestly, you can spend twice that amount and not get a materially better SUV. So if you're shopping for ultimate luxury, Mercedes-Benz is still a world leader in that market.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 4MATIC
Base price: $112,000
Price as tested: $125,770
Type: Full-size SUV
Engine: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 (510 hp, 538 lbs-ft)
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
EPA estimated mileage: 14/20
Overall length: 205 inches
Curb weight: 5,489 pounds
Final assembly: Vance, Alabama
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