Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the new GLS with a long list of updates aimed at making its flagship SUV even more luxurious, more intelligent and more comfortable. Branded as the “S-Class among SUVs,” the refreshed GLS now arrives with more powerful engines, a next-generation MB.Drive assistance suite, a redesigned front fascia, an upright bonnet star, a new MBUX Superscreen, and a cloud-based suspension setup that promises to make rough roads feel a little less rude.
At the heart of the update is Mercedes-Benz’s effort to blend traditional luxury with new-age digital sophistication. The new GLS gets the latest Mercedes-Benz Operating System, or MB.OS, which acts as a supercomputer with artificial intelligence support and keeps the vehicle software fresh through over-the-air updates. In simple terms, this big SUV is now clever enough to stay current for years, which is impressive for something that is also busy looking like it owns half the city.
The exterior has been revised to underline the GLS’s flagship status. A larger grille with a prominent chrome surround and contour lighting gives the front end a more commanding look, while the upright Mercedes-Benz star on the bonnet adds a touch of old-school prestige. In selected markets, the star is even illuminated, because if subtlety was invited to this party, it clearly did not make the guest list. New headlamps and tail-lamps with star-style graphics further sharpen its road presence, while fresh paint finishes and new wheel designs add more room for personalisation.
Inside, Mercedes-Benz has given the GLS a more modern and lounge-like cabin. The standard MBUX Superscreen stretches across the dashboard as a single glass surface housing three 12.3-inch displays, including a passenger screen. The updated interface supports more than 40 apps, while the latest MBUX Virtual Assistant uses artificial intelligence to handle more natural conversations. Google Maps-based navigation, augmented reality navigation features, digital payment functions and in-car video conferencing apps also bring the GLS closer to being a luxury office on wheels.
Rear-seat passengers have not been forgotten either. Mercedes-Benz says the new GLS is designed to offer even more travel and work comfort in the second and third rows, especially with the optional Rear Comfort Package Plus. This includes high-end rear entertainment screens, removable MBUX controllers, massage seats, improved climate control and a more flexible seating environment. The GLS continues to be offered as a seven-seater as standard, with fully electric adjustment for all three rows and enough space in the third row for passengers up to 1.94 metres tall.
On the powertrain front, the updated engine range promises more performance while maintaining the model’s high standards for refinement. The GLS 580 4Matic gets a revised V8 petrol engine producing 395 kW and 750 Nm, while the GLS 450 4Matic six-cylinder petrol has also been upgraded for stronger response and more torque. The GLS 350d 4MATIC and GLS 450d 4Matic diesel models gain further efficiency-focused improvements, including an electrically heated catalytic converter. All engines come with an integrated starter-generator and a 48-volt electrical system for smoother starts, coasting, boost and recuperation functions.
Ride comfort remains one of the key highlights of the new GLS. Mercedes-Benz says the SUV benefits from improved Airmatic suspension and the optional E-Active Body Control system, which analyses driving conditions 1,000 times per second and adjusts suspension forces at each wheel individually. A new cloud-based damping feature can even prepare the suspension for speed bumps before the car reaches them, using anonymised Car-to-X data shared by other Mercedes-Benz vehicles. It is a clever bit of technology, and perhaps also the first time another driver’s speed breaker pain has directly contributed to your comfort.
The GLS also receives the latest generation of driver assistance systems. A new water-cooled processor works with ten exterior cameras, up to five radar sensors and twelve ultrasonic sensors to support a wide range of safety and convenience functions. Depending on the market, the SUV offers MB.DRIVE packages with enhanced driving assistance, improved parking support and a reverse manoeuvring aid that can retrace part of the route previously driven forward.
Lighting technology has also taken a step forward. The new Digital Light system with micro-LED technology is now standard and offers a larger, higher-resolution light field with improved brightness and lower energy consumption. Mercedes-Benz claims the latest setup can illuminate up to 600 metres ahead with its Ultra Range high beam, while also improving adaptability in curves and low-light situations.
With the new GLS, Mercedes-Benz is clearly doubling down on the idea that a full-size luxury SUV should do more than just transport people in comfort. It should pamper, entertain, assist, glow theatrically and occasionally behave like a private jet with better ground clearance. In that regard, the new GLS appears to deliver exactly what its buyers would expect: a grand road-going statement with plenty of chrome, plenty of screens and absolutely no interest in being modest.
