Used 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class Consumer Reviews

It's the road trip king

Traded in my 2014 GL 450 for the 2017 GLS 550. The GL was the best SUV that I have owned (Range Rover, Navigator, Yukon Denali XL). On the surface the GLS seemed to be very similar, but I have found it to be more comfortable with an even better ride. The seat comfort (in the front) is a step up from the GL. Operating this SUV is a pleasurable experience akin to driving a large automobile. I don't need the third row seats as often as I did (kids are grown), but the rear space is fantastic. I especially like the lockable under floor storage in the rear. The programmable driving modes are a nice feature as is the steering assistant. I also got the off-road package this time with the extra height adjustment and the low-range feature. This gives you some undercarriage protection and low-end torque that the standard 4 matic does not have. The 550 has quite a bit more power than the 450 did. The 9 speed automatic transmission is very smooth. The technology is great however, the ECO engine cutoff is automatically activated even time you start the vehicle, or when changing the driving mode. If you dislike this feature, you have to remember to manually de-activate it every time you start up. The interior has been upgraded a bit, but still needs to be more like the S-Class. Although the new center screen is bright and easy to read. GL's was a bit small. It is more at home on the highway than my Range Rover was and more comfortable. It's too early to tell about the reliability yet, but my previous GL was outstanding in that department. With the cost at around $100k, the GLS 450 is probably a better value. The 550 represents about $20k worth of extra horsepower, leather seating and bells & whistles. If I still had kids to haul around, I would have gotten another 450.

Simply amazing. Test drive it and you will know.

Is this a car or a magic carpet? Truly it’s like an escalator that effortlessly lifts you along. We test drove and put a deposit on an Audi Q7. We didn’t want the stigma of a Mercedes and to hear comments from family or neighbors. My wife just wasn’t in love with the idea of the Q7 and neither was I. It was too small and lacked a spare tire. We finally said the heck with it and test drove the Benz. We knew immediately it was the right car for us and cancelled the Q7 order. I drive a Dodge Durango that is built on the same platform as the GLS. There is no comparison, the interior or the Benz is smaller because the body is made with more high-strength steel. This car is a vault and safety is my highest priority. I’m a cheapskate. But I will spend money for safety. Everything about this car is impeccable. The LED headlights amazing. Air suspension amazing, go off road and it raises the car 5 inches. Put it in sport mode and it keeps the car flat on winding roads. My wife is amazed by this car. She feels confident and assured. The only thing I don’t care for is the electronic interface and that is just a matter of reading the manual. I have no other complaints. It was expensive. But it is worth it to protect my family and to reward my wife for putting up with me. Test drive this car before you buy anything else. It is so easy and fun to drive.

Best Road Trip SUV

This big SUV drives so easily and you don’t realize how big it is. Comfort and handling are the best. Safety systems work great. The amount of room for seven is great. With third and second row seats down you have a cavern! Have had it for one year and would not want anything but it on a long trip! After several thousand miles, still love this big SUV. Have ordered GLS580.

great car, except for poor information system

I have been driving the new GLS 450 for 2 months. I used to drive a Cadillac CTS and this new Truck gives me a similar driving experience (except that I don't want to do a quick/sharp turn) and sometimes it even gives me even more confidence in handling. It is very spacious; I keeps the 3rd row folded during most of time and carried lots of stuff in the truck (e.g. two large palm trees!). The interior is also very good for the price. The only major downside is the information system: if I had it 10 years ago I would probably have liked it lot, but in the year of 2016, this system is way too old fashioned. The information does not even have a TOUCH SCREEN! Instead, it uses a gigantic control knob with technology already invented in the 90's. Furthermore, some of the common controls are hard to find (e.g. turning on/off bluetooth) - one should be able to push a button to do it. If you connect your phone to the car via bluetooth, it can be very very annoying, so does the AirPlay feature, because the car will stop the music for any notification coming from your phone. And only two USB ports? Overall, I still like to drive this car without its old-fashioned information system, but I hope Mercedes can improve it in the next model - after all, if I could just replace that screen with my iPad, it would give me a much better information system already.

Great Luxury SUV - Dangerous Halogn Lights

I have been using this SUV past 3 years. Here is my experience. Past 3 years enjoyed driving the SUV for all errands, road trips. It is great to drive with family. Driving comfort for long journey is great for all passengers. The SUV is able to maintain a quiet cabin and driving experience is amazing and stress free. Improvements with Apple Car play let us avoid the not so friendly Merc Navigation. Reason for 3 start Review There is no lighting package in this SUV and it was not in my shopping list thought that car will be fine with out fancy headlights. Never imagined my investment went to wrong route. The headlights are so dim that i had to rely on other vehicles bright headlights. Driivng in rain or fog is out of question. I rather take my other vehicle or rent than relying on this vehicle. I ended up into close accidents in bad weather situations. I reported to Mercedes, Dealers, NHA and ended up no luck and the Friendly answer from Merc that you have the lights that is what you have to use. i decided to go for after market and planning to go for alternate. Note- if you are buying without a lighting package, give a second thought. The following features are must to get best out of Mercedes. Driver Assistance Package Lighting Package Improvements needed - No Music Track change option on steering wheel, have to rely on multi-function button. No wireless charging pad or space for keeping phones. Need some space improvements. Access to 3 rd row is not friendly.

the beast on the highway

You have to be able to afford this much fun. Acceleration and braking are impressive. You also get all the interior space you should need. Gas mileage in city is around 11 to 15 mpg and on highway 16 to 19 mpg depending on traffic and weather conditions. Not too terrible for 577 hp. I have no complaints. Now have 41,000 miles. Replaced brake pads and rotors front and back. Not surprising . Replaced after market tires after 28,000 miles. No other issues or complaints.

Great ride, but tech lacking for the price point

After one year, my review below still applies, and based upon the loaner I received, it equally applies to the 2019 GLS450 as well as my 2018 ride. Overall the GLS450 is the best riding large SUV out there, looks great inside and out. While on paper the horsepower is the same, the V6 does not seem as gutsy as the V8 in the 2013 GL, but it is much quieter when the 9 speed is keeping RMPs down. MPG basically the same as the old V8, which is surprising. For the size of the vehicle, the glove box and center consul are surprisingly small. The new display screen is nice, much larger than the 2013, but why not make it touch screen. The 360 degree cameras are very nice, with the larger display they make maneuvering a breeze. The crazy touch pad over the control knob is clunky at best, and really a waste of effort by their engineers, just use the knob (or, make the screen a touch screen). This thing gets so hot it will burn your hand (when it was 90F the pad was 178F!). Apparently MB engineers do not realise metal to skin conducts pretty fast After two long road trips, a touch screen is must, if KIA has them MB should be embarrassed they do not. The command touch pad is like looking for a lost cursor at 80 MPH. Hoping the 2018 is as reliable as the 2013 GL which went 100K+ with only minor issues. (The car did eat tires, but it could be as much the driver as the wheel and tire package : ) ) After 6 months of ownership, the lack of technology is maddening. USB ports in the console is stupid, the touch pad is an absolute waste of effort make the console bigger and scrap that junk, the auto off is a lot of expense for nothing. I must say if they do not fix this before my next purchase I would most likely not get another MB no matter how solid the ride is. Which I must say is still great.

Love my MB 450

I absolutely love my GL450. It is the most comfortable vehicle I have driven under a $100,00 price tag. I have had it for 3 years and love it just as much today as the day I drove it off the lot. A few things I would point out. Its very very quite in the cabin. The stereo system is a pleasure to listen to. I like mine full blast and enjoy it. The ride quality is amazing. Very soft but has the UMMPH if you put it in sport mode. Its just a push of a button. I like my soft ride and saves on fuel as well. The climate controls are great and nothing to complain of or say much about but the GPS is a pain in the butt to add destinations and so. So we simply use phone apps for that. Reliability and maintenance. Reliability is great. Not once did it not start or had us stranded on a road. Not once. Maintenance is pricey. The dealer always has a good size bill when ever we go in for maintenance. Its not cheap but I knew that before hand and not complaining about it. My 450 has just about 35,000 miles and we will be trading it in for a 2019. Hopefully 2019 will be just as good if not better.

Power, luxury,comfort,and great mpg for a SUV.

Handles like a smaller vehicle. Silky smooth ride in town or on the highway. Update...great mpg. Still solid as a rock. Nimble. Still very happy Update still love it, no problems!

Awesome SUV

Very attractive exterior and well appointed interior with great infotainment system. Rides very smooth with a very quiet cabin and no road noise audible. Best fuel efficient 3rd row seat luxury SUV I could find on the current market. All the seating is very comfortable for full size adults, even on the third row. Highly recommend this SUV. Great towing capacity also. Checked everything on my wish list and then some!

Early days, but love the GLS550

Drives like a quick sedan, super comfortable, great interior and exterior looks. Downside of gas mileage on the 550 and I don’t know about reliability as it’s still early days.

3 month review

i purchased the vehicle off of a lease in March with 60K miles. Overall I am pleased with the purchase. For the size the SUV is very nimble. The surround camera is a must. On a 350 mile round trip my 5'6" daughter-in-law had no issues sitting in the third row. I put the car seat for my grandson in the 2nd row drivers side because lifting the 2nd row back after 3rd row access is cumbersome and heavy on the drivers since you have to lift the middle seat as well. MB you have to make the 2nd row power back to upright position. Adaptive cruise control is outstanding but keep in mind you have to get the Driver Assistance package to get it. Harmon/Kardon surround sound is very nice. Mastering the COMMAND system definitely requires a learning curve. Had no issues with Apple Car Play. Would it be better with a touchscreen, of course but certainly am not losing any sleep over it. My big complaint is sometimes at speeds above 65 MPH there is front vibration. Does not happen all the time, sometimes I can cruise at 80 MPH and feels like I am sitting in my living room. I think it may have something to do with the Pirellis, I plan to switch very soon to Michelins. A very classy, roomy and comfortable SUV

Tows like a truck, hauls like a sports car

We love our GLS 63 AMG. Towing up the steep mountain grades while towing 5000 pounds is very relaxing. It behaves like a truck. Relaxed when you get where you are going. The seats are comfy. The only downside is it's hard not to flex the power of the beast. 13.4 MPG for the last 10,000 miles. But we didn't buy it for the fuel economy. We bought it to have fun and enjoy life. Could it handle better? Sure. But it's not a car. Could it do better on fuel? Maybe, but we didn't buy it for that either. Can it fit 7 people and tow and drive off road and get you to your destination and back? Absolutely!!!! We don't even use our truck anymore for towing out to the desert. This vehicle does it all. The ultimate dad bus. It gets everything done and puts the smile on your face. This thing is a pure joy. Even the Maserati GranTurismo gets jealous of the dad bus. Parking in a tight spot? Check. If you can afford the gas, you'll enjoy the fun this provides.

Great Ride and Performance

I bought my 2018 MB GLS 450 used about 5 months ago. I love the way it drives, the ride is very comfortable and it handles great for such a large vehicle. The turbo six has plenty of get-up- and go. We love all the safety features that the car has but the lane departure assist can be annoying at times, like when the right lane marking ends for a right turn lane. The interior is roomy and nicely done. 360 camera is sweet. Great car for road trips. Of course I have my own pet peeves about the car. The first is the lack of some features that should be standard on a luxury SUV; like no temperature controls for the middle row seat (it's part of an option package that didn't come with this car). I also dislike the cruise control knob/location, it's a knob/lever below the turn signal lever. It should have buttons on the steering wheel. The auto temperature controls should have single degree adjustments not 2 degrees. I will also echo the poor technology in a 2018 car but it's not a show stopper for me.

I expect more from a vehicle of this price

Mercedes has been a disappointment unfortunately. The car has a few issues \. The phone integration is poor (my Subaru is much better at under a third the price), the rear seat headrests are awkward and uncomfortable for anyone under 6 feet tall at least, all of the side window molding became discolored, were replaced (which was not easy to get done) and quickly discolored again. I've really come to respect the auto industry for excellent customer service, but Mercedes seems to march to a different drum. I have owned the car one year. I would not buy another Mercedes.

Perfect road trip SUV

We bought ours used and have now had it for and a half years. In that time we have driven it all over the US many times over. We are now up near 90000 miles and have never had a single mechanical issue. There have been electrical gremlins here and there, but nothing major. And as far as the snow goes, once you have snow tires on it it does an incredible job. My only real complaint is that it does very poorly off-road, but I guess that's to be expected. At the end of the day, I highly recommend this as a used car purchase, and I can say it's the best road trip vehicle I've ever been in.

Gls class says it all.

This vehicle is very luxurious. All of the bells and whistles you can think of some you probably wouldn’t think of. It floats on the road. All I can say is wow, wow, wow!

Great piece of Technology and sporty also

This car will out run a new Ford Raptor Pickup and do it in style

IT"S NICE

The vehicle is everything you can expect from a Mercedes. The outer appearance is eye catching especially from the front view. The ride is smooth and comfortable, it's comfort all the way around. The steering and handling is easy. This I can say from my experience, I moved up from the 350 GLK model to this 450 GLS, and what a difference. I have other Mercedes but this is the BIG BOY.

Be aware!

Got 2019 Mercedes SUV 3 rows 63 AMG, within 4 months I got a green light showing change engine oil, red light showing change brakes, flat tire, I been told due to the weather. I am a mother of three small children, since 1999 I been driving Lexus LS SUV and never ever had any problems. This car is terrible, I feel dangerous driving, their road side assistant don’t answer for hours and after can never find your location. Today I got flat tire in the middle of the busy highway 95, it was raining, my three kids screaming, crying for help, I was calling and only after two and a half hours someone came and changed in to spare tire. The GPS system works terrible, horrible car! Worth no more then $20.000 Please think twice before getting this car for your family!

Very comfortable mid-sized....

A little under powered for the size. Some confusion on the HVAC system, can't sync the pass and driver temp. No rear temp is inconvenient.

Good Except Dangerous In The Rain

I have thoroughly enjoyed the design and features of the GLS 450. We need front seat passenger space that fits my tall husband and this car is perfect. Unfortunately, we soon discovered that in a heavy rain where water puddles on the road the vehicle easily hydroplanes. We put new tires on the care every year (which one sadly has to do) and align the vehicle twice a year keeping while keeping the proper tire pressure. I am a cautious driver and by keeping well the below the speed limit I have not crashed yet. It is to the point that I will not drive the car when it rains. Would not recommend this car.

GLS 450 best family SUV

It has a brand good will . But technology Kia and Audi has better but nothing can beat the porch look and feeling when riding on GLS

Superb Fit & Finish - Handles Well - Not Reliable

We bought the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 as a CPO vehicle in 2020 with 39k miles. It now has 85k miles on it. I would summarize the GLS by saying that we like the vehicle but we really dislike owning it. Starting with the exterior - it is very sharp. A classic design that will continue to age very well. We love the black color. The interior fit and finish is very nice. Very nice materials throughout. We have the MB-Tex seats which looks just like leather but more durable and supportive but is a little firm and gets a little uncomfortable on longer trips. The GLS drives very nice. Plenty of acceleration and smooth ride / handling. The 3rd row is relatively spacious. Great panoramic sunroof. The 25+ gallon fuel tank gives you some pretty good range. Things we don't love about the vehicle. The infotainment system is workable but not easy to use (no touch screen). The Nav system isn't great....just use Apple Car play (which is nice to have). As mentioned above, the seats are somewhat uncomfortable on long trips. For a vehicle this size, interior storage is a somewhat limited. Second row leg room is tight. Our ownership experience has not been great. We've had quite a few issues: leaking sunroof, had to replace both rear air springs, had to replace an entire headlamp assembly, One of the seat buckles broke, the rear wiper broke, the heated/cooled cup holders didn't work among other issues. These repairs (along with routine maintenance) were all very expensive - even at an independent repair shop. In the future, I would only buy another GLS if it is under warranty (manufacturer or extended).

Its an ok vehicle

Mercedes charges a premium for its cars and SUV's which seems to be about 15000-20000 over priced for what you receive with vehicle.

Luxury all the way.

Love the ride, nice and smooth.

Will never buy another Mercedes

We have a fully loaded GLS 450. My wife had a unexpected acceleration and the car drove through the garage wall into the house causing about $25,000 to both the vehicle and the house. She swears her foot was on the brake. MB says the "black box" disputes that assertion. The car clearly malfunctioned. The airbags did not deploy. The highly touted and heavily advertised accident avoidance system did not stop the car. MB customer support has been difficult to work with and actually seems to be trying to avoid us.

FUN DRIVE

Timing cover leaks

If you are looking to buy one of these AMGGLS 63’s, . make sure they have warranty otherwise you better have deep pockets.

Not worth the money.

Bottom line. I hate this vehicle. Heavy, eats tires and brakes. Terrible ride on rough roads. Small bumps and seems in the road feel like you are driving a 1976 Ford F150. I am done with Mercedes. I have yet to own one that didn’t need the air suspension system replaced. Stay away.