2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class Review





- GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUVMSRP: $54,99952 mi away
- GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUVMSRP: $55,99952 mi away
- GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUVMSRP: $72,75050 mi away
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class Review

Pros
- Easily seats adults in all three rows
- Plenty of helpful technology and safety features
- Responsive engines and stable handling give the feel of driving a smaller SUV
- Flexible cargo capacity
Cons
- Some interior controls and buttons are too small or hard to find
What's new
- Panoramic sunroof and metallic paint now standard
- Part of the third GLS generation introduced for 2020
Overview
Ask a few people their idea of a Mercedes-Benz SUV and there's a good chance the tall boxy G-Class, or G-wagen, comes up. It's hard to deny the G-wagen's presence in pop and celebrity culture, but ultimately, it's just a well-dressed utility truck. For maximum Mercedes SUV luxury, turn to the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS. While the G-Class specializes in off-road capability and social currency, and the Maybach GLS (reviewed elsewhere on Edmunds) takes luxury to extremes, the GLS is all about executive-class comfort and convenience.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.71 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
With a standard adaptive air suspension and lush cabin, the GLS is a VIP hotel suite on wheels, offering strong V6 and V8 engines capable of moving its quiet mass with authority. Not much changes for the 2023 model, except for a newly standard panoramic sunroof, another in a long list of generous standard features included with the "base" model GLS 450.
There's robust competition among three-row luxury SUVs, including the BMW X7, Infiniti QX80 and the Lexus LX 600. But the GLS also competes for attention with the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon Denali, Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Lincoln Navigator. The recently redesigned Land Rover Range Rover added a third row of seats, making it a top rival as well, although it's priced closer to the AMG GLS version. Check out our test team's Expert Rating to see our evaluation of the GLS' comfort, technology features and more.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Performance
Stops from 60 mph came in just 105 feet, one of the best results we've seen from any SUV. That's genuine performance-car territory. Part of that comes courtesy of the no-cost summer tires that our test SUV had, which help provide plenty lateral grip too. The steering is light and makes the GLS easy to maneuver in a parking lot or in traffic.
Comfort
There's little intrusion from the outside world, with just a bit of road noise on rough pavement. The ride quality is excellent with the optional E-Active Body Control suspension. It's smooth and composed, ironing out most road imperfections without floating or wallowing. Large wheels can hurt ride quality in many SUVs, but our test vehicle with optional 21-inch wheels didn't seem fazed.
Interior
The controls are all well placed and easy to reach, but there's a lot of them and the small text means you have to take your eyes off the road until you work up the muscle memory. Separating the seat controls between the door and the infotainment system is a bit frustrating too.
Technology
The driver aids are equally impressive. The adaptive cruise control is among the best we've tested. In traffic, the system maintains a reasonable gap and can slow the GLS down to a complete stop, then start going again when traffic moves.
Storage
The second and third row seats fold flat and can be dropped with buttons in the hatch. Small-item storage is great, with lots of pockets, bins and cupholders spread throughout the cabin. The GLS 450 is rated to tow 7,700 pounds, which places it ahead of its main rival, the BMW X7. Should towing be a high priority, the Lincoln Navigator is again superior, capable of towing up to 8,700 pounds.
Fuel Economy
Value
Wildcard
Which GLS-Class does Edmunds recommend?
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class models
The seven-passenger, three-row 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS comes in three trims: GLS 450, GLS 580 and AMG GLS 63. Each includes a generous list of standard features, and the main reason to choose a GLS 580 or AMG GLS 63 is for added power and performance. An even more opulent Maybach GLS is also available and is reviewed separately on Edmunds.
GLS 450
Highlights of the standard GLS include:
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine (362 horsepower, 369 lb-ft)
- Nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters
- 4Matic all-wheel drive
- Adaptive air suspension system (can raise or lower the SUV's ride height and adjust to improve ride comfort and handling)
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Panoramic sunroof
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- Hands-free liftgate
Inside, the GLS 450 comes with:
- Customizable ambient interior lighting
- Four-zone automatic climate control
- Synthetic leather upholstery (MB-Tex)
- Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Power-adjustable front seats with memory
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Power-folding 50/50-split third-row seat
- Digital instrumentation
- Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Natural language voice control
- Navigation system
- Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless charging pad
- Nine USB ports
- 115-volt AC power outlet
- Burmester surround-sound system
Safety features for every GLS include:
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
- Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the GLS and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
- Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
GLS 580
Choosing the GLS 580 adds the following features:
- Turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (483 hp, 516 lb-ft)
- 21-inch alloy wheels
- Illuminated running boards
- Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut)
- Five-zone climate control
- Leather upholstery
- Upgraded multi-contour front seats with massage
AMG GLS 63
The burly AMG GLS 63 comes with:
- More powerful twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (603 hp, 627 lb-ft)
- Performance-tuned:
- Nine-speed automatic transmission
- All-wheel-drive system
- Air suspension with active roll stabilization
- Steering, braking and exhaust systems
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Performance steering wheel with driving mode controls
- Heated and cooled front cupholders
- Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)
- Lane keeping assistance (steers the GLS back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Mercedes offers several option packages and stand-alone extras for the GLS. One of the most popular upgrades is the Driver Assistance Package Plus. It includes:
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Mercedes and the car in front)
- Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
- Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
- Front cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle or pedestrian ahead of you is about to cross your path while you're approaching an intersection)
- Active lane change assistance (with adaptive cruise control engaged, can change lanes automatically after the driver activates turn signal)
If you live where it's cold, you might consider the Warmth & Comfort package, which adds:
- Rapid-heating front seats
- Heated front and second-row armrests
Choose the seven-seater GLS 580 and you can add the Executive Rear Seat Package Plus. It comes with:
- Heated and ventilated second-row seats
- Upgraded multi-contour rear seats with massage
- Second-row wireless charger
- Second-row tablet to control climate, seats and infotainment
The GLS 580 can also be equipped with the Off-Road package to gain:
- Fully variable 4Matic all-wheel drive
- Low-range transmission gearing
- Off-Road+ driving mode
- Off-road tuning for antilock braking and traction control systems
- Hill descent control (automatically controls vehicle speed on steep hills)
- Underbody damage protection
Additional options for the GLS include:
- E-Active Body Control (upgraded suspension that can lean the GLS into turns to improve passenger comfort; GLS 580 only)
- Second-row captain's chairs (six-passenger capacity)
- Heated third-row seats
- Power rear side-window sunshades
- Air Balance interior fragrance system
- Increased cabin insulation from noise and solar heating (Acoustic Comfort package)
- Heated steering wheel
- Upgraded Burmester high-end sound system
- Augmented reality for the navigation system (overlays instructions on a forward-looking camera view to help drivers see where to turn)
- Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
- Lane keeping assistance (steers the GLS back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)




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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class from 2008-2022.for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class Reviews
Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
4.74 Stars, Almost perfect, but...
5 out of 5 starsNo issues first year
4 out of 5 starsGreat Ride Terrible Tech.
5 out of 5 starsSpaceship look & comfortable ride, it goes down af
1 out of 5 stars2023 GLS-Class Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $81,800 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Mild hybrid |
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $224/month |
Seating | 7 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 17.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the GLS-Class models:
- Emergency Call Service
- Standard and complimentary for as long as you own the GLS, this is an automatic collision notification system with an SOS emergency call button.
- Pre-Safe Sound
- When a collision is about to happen, Pre-Safe Sound emits a special tone through the stereo speakers to protect your hearing during the impact.
- Active Emergency Stop Assist
- When using adaptive cruise control and active lane keeping assist, this feature can recognize an unresponsive driver and bring the GLS to safe stop.
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