The sheer number of three-row luxury SUVs on the market today is enough to make your head spin. But for nearly a decade, Mercedes-Benz has quietly had one of the better ones: the GLS.
You could easily miss it among the other behemoth family haulers in the local grocery store parking lot. The Mercedes GLS certainly isn’t the flashiest family mover out there, but it doesn’t need to be. It does its job—and does it well.
For 2027, Mercedes has taken an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach with a heavily refreshed model. It looks familiar at first glance, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a GLS that builds on what made the SUV successful in the first place. And there’s one pretty big secret hiding underneath it all.
Pros
Excellent New V8
Refined Cabin
Upgraded Technology
Cons
Too Many Stars
Awkward Seating Position
Spot The Changes
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
Squint hard enough and you might be able to see what’s different: a sharper front end, fresh wheel designs, new bumpers, and, oh yeah, a whole hell of a lot of Mercedes-Benz “stars.” By my count, there are more than 150 of them in the grille alone.
Like several Mercedes models these days, the GLS leans heavily into the three-pointed-star motif. They’re not just scattered across the grille, either. The new headlight and taillight assemblies get their own share, with three stars in each GLS light fixture and two in the smaller GLE.
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
Photos by: Mercedes-Benz
Does the new GLS look good? I guess.
The previous model was already a handsome SUV, so there wasn’t much to fix. This version cleans up the front fascia and sharpens the rear end slightly, but the changes aren’t exactly transformative.
I’m less sold on the new headlights, which look a little clunky to my eye. They now connect to a gloss-black trim piece surrounding a wider grille and larger housing. And personally, I could do with fewer stars sprinkled throughout the light fixtures. But that’s just me.
The V8 Is The Star Of The Show
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
Depending on your budget—and how much you’re willing to spend at the pump—Mercedes offers two GLS powertrains: an updated 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid and a new flat-plane-crank V8 borrowed from the S-Class.
Most buyers will probably stick with the entry-level GLS 450 and its 3.0-liter inline-six mild-hybrid with an integrated starter-generator (version 2.0). It produces 375 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, an improvement of 44 lb-ft over its predecessor.
But real ones know the 580 is the one to get.
The GLS 580 features a new 4.0-liter V8 producing 530 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque—20 more horsepower and 15 more lb-ft than before. Mercedes says that’s enough to propel this enormous three-row SUV to 60 miles per hour in just about 4.5 seconds. Not bad for a family hauler.
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
And that engine really is the star here. Power delivery is smooth, torque is plentiful, and even high in the mountains of Western Colorado, the GLS 580 never feels like it’s searching for more oomph. Just press the accelerator and go.
Beyond the new engine, the driving experience remains familiar. The GLS is still a comfortable and capable three-row SUV, with a ride that benefits from standard Airmatic air suspension. Body roll is kept in check by Mercedes’ active roll-control system, which comes standard on the 580, while the steering remains light but responsive.
Mercedes has also worked to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness overall, making the GLS even better suited to long-distance driving. After spending time on Colorado’s mountain roads, through local towns, and even on a few dirt roads, I can confirm that the big Mercedes is a serene place to spend time.
A High-Tech Cabin That Actually Works
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
Inside, Mercedes has given the GLS its latest MBUX technology, centered around three 12.3-inch displays: one for the digital instrument cluster, one for the central touchscreen, and another for the front passenger.
That passenger screen supports streaming services like YouTube and Disney+. Using the apps themselves is mostly seamless, although the built-in browser is still a bit clunky. Second-row passengers get their own pair of 11.6-inch displays with similar streaming capabilities.
The screens run Mercedes’ latest MB.OS software, which brings new over-the-air update capabilities and an updated virtual assistant that’s better at understanding conversational commands.
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
Photos by: Mercedes-Benz
For example, I wanted the car to turn off lane centering, so I simply said, “Hey Mercedes, turn off the lane centering.” And it just… did it. What a novel concept. The same goes for a handful of other commands available on this latest version.
Mercedes also upgraded adaptive cruise control and most of its driver-assistance technology, with five radar sensors, 10 exterior cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors located throughout the SUV. The company says that MB.Drive Assist Pro Level 2++ system—or, point-to-point driving—should be available in 2027.
Verdict: Still Great, Just A Bit Better
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS is essentially the same SUV it’s always been, which is to say, a good one. The new flat-plane-crank V8 gives the GLS 580 a worthwhile performance upgrade, while the refreshed cabin and latest technology make an already comfortable SUV even nicer to live with.
The exterior design is more subjective. I’m not convinced the new headlights are an improvement, and Mercedes’ newfound obsession with covering everything in three-pointed stars won’t be for everyone. But I also can’t imagine a few extra stars will do much to dissuade people already shopping for a GLS.
The 2027 GLS 450 starts at $93,950 before destination, while the GLS 580 costs $120,950. With prices climbing across the industry, those aren’t unreasonable MSRPs for two highly capable three-row luxury SUVs, particularly when compared with rivals such as the Audi Q7/Q9 and BMW X7.
The GLS didn’t need a major overhaul, and Mercedes didn’t give it one. Instead, the automaker focused on areas that mattered, making an already well-rounded luxury SUV that much better.
Mercedes-Benz GLS Competitors
Audi Q7
BMW X7
Genesis GV90
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| 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 Specs | |
| Engine | Twin-Turbocharged 4.0-Liter V8 Mild-Hybrid |
| Output | 530 Horsepower / 553 Pound-Feet |
| Transmission | Nine-Speed Automatic |
| Drive Type | All-Wheel Drive |
| Speed 0-60 MPH | 4.5 Seconds |
| Weight | 5,820 Pounds |
| Seating Capacity | 7 |
| Towing | 7,700 Pounds (Max) |
| Cargo Volume | 17.4 / 84.7 Cubic Feet |
| Base Price | $95,500 |
| Trim Base Price | $122,500 |
| On Sale | Now |
