Space and comfort is only to be found in the new GLS

By, 2020-09-28

A chuffing massive Mercedes, is what it is. Longer and wider than ever, the “S-Class of SUVs” (Merc’s words).

So long you can almost fit a whole Fiat 500 just in its wheelbase, not to mention the contents of several C-Class Estates in its interior.

Now in its third generation, Mercedes says the GLS competes with the Range Rover and Tesla Model X. Most directly, though, with the new BMW X7 - the creation of which the GLS no doubt very much inspired.

We reckon it’ll also appeal to people looking at pricier versions of the Land Rover Discovery, Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90.

The Interior

The trade-off for this massiveness is interior space - like its rivals, the GLS is as enormous inside as it is outside, with space for seven fully-grown adults and all their things.

A clever microphone setup pipes the driver’s voice through the rear speakers and the rear passengers’ through the fronts, so you can have a conversation without having to shout. Don’t tell your kids about it, though, because once they find the microphones there’s no knowing what they may do.

In the new GLS, each seat boasts the ultimate in comfort and a digital infotainment offering, the likes of which have never been seen before in an SUV.

Equipped with intelligent driving assistance systems, the new GLS can make your life behind the wheel easier than ever. So you get to your destination more safely and feeling more relaxed.

Safety highlights

Driving Assistance package Plus Parking package with 360° camera Trailer Manoeuvring Assist MULTIBEAM LED Specifications The GLS measure of all things.

On engines

The standard Euorope version is the 3.0-litre straight-six diesel from, it is powerful, brawny, and even sounds pretty nice when you lean into it.

Of course it isn’t a massively fast car, the GLS 400d, but it isn’t bad - 0-62mph takes 6.3 seconds and the top speed is 148mph thanks to 325bhp and 516lb ft. Those wanting more speed can wait for the straight-six petrol GLS 450, which deploys Merc’s ‘EQ’ mild-hybrid tech’ (362bhp, 369lb ft, 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds, 153mph).

No V8 just yet, which uses the familiar 4.0-litre V8 from all AMGs ever, but with the same 48-volt mild-hybrid gubbins as the 450. Inevitably there will be a proper AMG at some point, which will no doubt have a whopping-great V8 with upwards of 600bhp. A

Maybach-badged posh(er) GLS ought to arrive at some point too, though we don’t know what engine that might get. All engines come with the nine-speed automatic gearbox, which 95 per cent of the time is smooth and quick-reacting, but has a tendency to get a little flustered and out of sync if you demand a sudden birth of acceleration.