2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class Consumer Reviews
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GLS 450 4MATIC (Most Popular) - $82,950 MSRP
$77,573
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 GLS-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the GLS-Class since its last redesign.
4.74 Stars, Almost perfect, but...
Jay Poocha, 03/23/2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
44 of 46 people found this review helpful
Over the years, we have owned many Luxury SUVS and a few mini-vans. We purchased a 2021 GLS 450 in early November 2020. As of today, we have driven 25,402 miles! That's not a typo. In a very short period of time, we have discovered the strengths and weaknesses of the GLS. The strengths: 1. Overall comfort, especially the front seats, is awesome. 2. The added massaging seats is a nice option (get it, you won't be disappointed on long trips). 3. The ride is smooth on the highway and around town; however, I prefer to use the individualized setting option for the sports suspension on the highway to firm up the ride, otherwise it can be a tad floaty. I prefer a stiffer, more controlled ride. 4. Passing is done with ease at speed; however the 450 holds gears a bit long when rapidly accelerating. It eventually finds its place after a brief struggle. Not bad, but not perfect. After driving 25K in a very short period of time, I would like MB to strongly consider improving a few areas in the cabin: 1. The cell phone ports (only usb c type) must be better placed. They are extremely difficult to plug cords into, plus need some type of ambient lighting to see at night. The wireless charging pad is a pain in the rear to use with a case on a telephone. The space is extremely tight. This must be corrected at some point. The power outlet in the second row is horribly placed. In fact, MB get a F- for its placement, and another F for the amount of space allocated for any charging bases larger than standard size. Just the worst of anything we have ever owned. Outside of these minor issues, my wife wishes MB would add a place for cellphones besides the cupholders or wireless charger area. This is an obvious deign oversight. Second row comfort in the captain's chairs is good, but I would strongly considering getting it with the bench in the future for the center armrest. Although the captain's seats are comfortable, again MB needs to add more places for storage. The third row works for smaller adults and children. We occasionally use it, it works for the occasional trip when are children are traveling with us. The real trick is placement of luggage; three suitcases and a duffle is tight - this requires folding one of the third row seats flat. Although not ideal, it works. For ultimate convenience, I would suggest either a Cadillac ESV or, bite my tongue - a fully loaded Chrysler Pacifica. Having owned both these other vehicles, I can say luggage space is rarely an issue. This leads me to my final thoughts on the GLS, I really like it a lot, its almost perfect except for the few issues I outlined. If MB can address the charging issues, phone placement issues and tweak the trans on shifting on the middle range when accelerating, it is hands down a superior SUV for long trips, daily comfort and drivability around town. It feels rock sold on the highway and does extremely well in rain. If you desire luxury, a very solid feeling ride, solid handling and decent MPG (I'm averaging about 23 MPG) I highly recommend the GLS.
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No issues first year
MarkG, 11/28/2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 580 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
Bought the 580 version fully loaded. Have about 12,000 miles on it, with no real issues. Had to top off coolant, and replenish cabin fragrance. Delivers on interior , versatility and quiet ride. Only nit I would have is ride quality over choppy road. The E-Active body control is suppose to scan road and adjust accordingly. My old GL was as smooth, without the $6,500 option. That said, curve mode probably makes it worth it. Ding one star for ride quality.
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Electrical gremlins
Bill, 06/30/2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
32 of 35 people found this review helpful
We recently bought a 2021 GLS 450. The warning systems work some of the time, but not consistently. We had all the driver assist features malfunction so into the dealer. They found a severed sensor wire which Mercedes said normally wouldn't be covered (The car had 1800 miles on it), but they decided to cover it anyway. Sometimes we get an audible parking assist warning sometimes we don't. My wife managed to back it into another car and never got a warning. I understand it was her fault for relying on the back up warnings, but it is so unreliable that it is really useless. We have had multiple cars with parking assist and never had any problems. It was inspected after the fender bender by the dealer , but they couldn't find any issues. They gave us Mercedes Benz USA contact info. We have collected multiple videos of the system not working to show the Mercedes rep. When we called MB USA, they were confused as to why we were calling them and told us that there are plenty of warnings not to trust the system. Great! Does that mean we shouldn't trust the adaptive cruise or any of the lane assist features? What is the point of having these systems if they don't work. Add in to those issues the incredibly loud drivetrain (also checked by dealer, but told it was normal due to high pressure system like a diesel), I can't recommend this car. It's nice when it works, but no better than competing vehicles. Stay away.
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Not good
Captain, 06/20/2021
updated 12/21/2022
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
45 of 50 people found this review helpful
Purchased new 2021 GLS 450 $92000, the SUV is in the shop more than in my garage. Major computer dash problems. After 4 attempts, they can’t solve the problems. MY SUGGESTION!! Stay away from the GLS 450 SUV.
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Spaceship look & comfortable ride, it goes down af
C Frye, 09/28/2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
23 of 25 people found this review helpful
Windshield wipers auto does not work, Trying to get into Neutral takes an act of god, easy trunk kick function doesn't work, trunk button you have to hold down & that doesn't guarantee trunk is closed, slowing down breaking is very jerky, map shuts down for days, center mouse pad too sensitive, the safety hatch feature never worked. Been in shop 5 times since December. Cost $97k. Look for another vehicle, not worth the headache.
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GLS AMG 63 has its problems!
AMG let down , 08/01/2022
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class AMG GLS 63 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
We splurged on the AMG and sort of (yes) regret it. It changed some of the features we didn’t know it would until we got it and drove it. NO cup holders in the second row. AC unit is confusing and seems to not work properly. I’ll have my ac on full blast and on sync for the rest of the car, and my daughters backseat isn’t getting any air. The auto crash sensors would go off for no reason scaring the hell out of me. The service dept would have it for weeks and then just say they updated the OS. Ugh and I wish I would have gotten capitans chairs but that’s on me lol
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12th time in the shop in 10 months since purchase
Roya G, 10/05/2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class AMG GLS 63 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
30 of 34 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2021 GLS 63 on 1/2/2021. Within 48 hours they sensors misfired and the car was at the service center. It took them 4 tries to fix it with the last try taking them 28 days. I got the car back and the brakes began sounding. It took 7 tries at the service center and they can’t get it right. Today the car stopped working entirely and though the battery functions worked the started wouldn’t kick in. It’s my 2nd tow, 12th service and I will never drive it again. Lemon law all the way.
The Very Best SUV ride available
Dave Sanborn, 09/26/2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
We purchased a 2020 GLS450 when they first came out and drove it for almost two years. The tech took a little while to get used to and the stereo was a little disappointing given it was a Burmester. The ride was outstanding with really comfortable seats. Zero issues with the vehicle other than a the proximity for the key didn't always work and the nav would route you poorly. The GLS has one of the best 3rd row seats available for space without being an enormous vehicle. We thought we wanted an upgrade and my wife wanted something where she was up higher with a better stereo. We traded ours in on a Range Rover Supercharged. What a mistake! Yes - we were up higher and the Meridian stereo is excellent. That’s about it. The seats were uncomfortable and the ride was poor in comparison. On top of that, nothing worked reliably! Like nothing - the screens would lock up continuously and one time the car wouldn’t start at all. The service at Land Rover was horrible. They couldn’t get us a loaner for 60 days! Needless to say, the Rover lasted 18 days and we decided to go back to the GLS and purchased a 2021 that was optioned significantly better than our first and it really makes a difference. A couple of highly recommended upgrades to get. 1. You must get the Acoustic Comfort Package. Don’t buy this vehicle without it. Absolutely worth the cost. It enhances the stereo and the interior is like a vault. Very little outside sound. 2. Get the all leather multi contour seats with massage - they are fantastic 3. Get the Driver Assistant Plus Package - it’s incredible and works very well. It has to be one of the safest adds available. It will recognize if you fall asleep or pass out, pull over safely, turn the hazards on and call 911! 4. HUD - one of the best Heads Up Displays available There are significant improvements made in 2021. Everything works better. The nav is better, the cameras are out of this world and all of the tech seems to work better. We couldn’t be happier to be back in a GLS and Mercedes has really outdone themselves with this SUV. It’s hard to explain but the ‘21 just works better. First year models are always a little quirky. A word of warning. Our dealer said, like everywhere, the supply chain has been disrupted and they are only getting in low optioned GLS’s. They even had one that had zero options on the lot. The options on ours are going to be very hard to find but don’t settle and hold out for the right one. We bought it the day it arrived at the dealership and there were 5 other people in line behind us to look at it.
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Getting better but the German side is showing
O Xi Sav, 08/15/2023
updated 04/26/2024
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 580 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Just traded a 2018 GLS450 for a GLS580. I have driven about 2,000 miles as of writing this. My first comment is, wow! Did not think the V6 in my 2018 was lacking until I got the V8 in the 580. Truly impressive acceleration. Just had a GLE for a loaner and yeah, the acceleration is real. The real reason I prefer the GLS is the ride. For a vehicle with nearly 7500 lb GVWR it rides marvelously. The road noise and engine noise is minimal. I prefer the GLS450 interior to the 580, but the quality is great on both. At highway speeds of 80 mph averaged 23 MPG. MB finally improved their tech. Touch screens and finally a real use for the mouse pad. When driving the touch screen is a reach, I'm 6'1", and the pad does allow for easy swiping. The learning curve is real, and takes time to find things, but overall it very customizable. Crazy that android auto must be wired, makes it clunky. My loaner GLE had wireless android auto and it was good, shame MB does not think it is needed on their high end platform. Tech start up is painfully slow, sometimes taking close to 30 seconds for the system to boot up. My only complaint, and it is enough to tell anyone to take a highway drive before you buy, the lane keeping system is jarring to the point of sickening. If you stay left while passing a vehicle or missing an object in the road it will throw you back into what you were avoiding. You cannot turn off the lane tracking without turning off the warning as well. So, in Germanic fashion, we know better than you, you will use the car the way we say is best, even if you have good reason. If one could keep the warning and drop the harsh lane correction it would be great. The cruise is no longer a speed keeping system, it is an auto drive system. I personally have issue giving control to the machine, and there are times when I would like to drive the car. I was exhausted after my first trip fighting the car and how it liked to drive over how I like to drive. Drive 800 miles over holiday and kept cruise off most of the time because it is actually more work to use the cruise than not. Seems cool at first but if you use cruise a lot I would look carefully at how cruise has changed. One thing that I do find odd is you cannot lift the drivers windshield wiper to clean under it, or wipe things off the blade, without hitting the hood and stopping it. I'm not sure how you would change wiper blades like this. New issue that I found is if you are an aggressive driver, guilty as charged, the collision avoidance system is so sensitive it is almost dangerous. My car stopped me in an opposing lane thinking I was going to crash which almost caused a crash. I hate to turn it off because I can see the value but it it needs refinement. Maybe the car is just smarter than me, and as much as I hate the lane system, the car is a great ride
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Utility wrapped in Luxury
LW Perry, 06/17/2021
updated 12/20/2022
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
The redesigned GLS is truly a spacious, luxurious SUV. The 450 has plenty of power and refinement for totally enjoyable driving. The turning radius is extraordinary, and makes for easy parking. Drives smaller and more nimble then it’s size. So far, I’m very happy with this SUV. I upsized from an Audi Q7 and while I loved my Audi, this size was a better fit. Well done Mercedez. UPDATE: after driving this great SUV for a year and a half, I still love it. I’ve had no issues or problems and have only done normal maintenance. I’m very happy with the 450 GLS.
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