“My GLS580W4 is luxurious and drives really nice. It has room for 7 individuals. It also looks very sporty.”
Mercedes-Benz GLS: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 13, 2026
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is a full-size, three-row luxury SUV built to carry adults in comfort across all three rows. It is known for a plush air-suspension ride, a rich cabin, and strong gas engines.
The GLS name arrived in 2017, when Mercedes-Benz renamed and refreshed the former GL-Class. Its enduring theme is family-sized space delivered with the comfort and cabin finish expected of a luxury vehicle. The 2020 redesign made the cabin roomier and brought newer mild-hybrid engines and touchscreen technology, while later updates polished the same basic formula rather than changing it.
Strengths
- All three rows are meant to accommodate adults, rather than treating the third row as an occasional-use space for children.
- The air suspension gives the GLS the smooth, plush ride that has long been central to its character.
- The cabin combines a rich presentation with a long list of comfort and technology features.
- The gas engines provide strong performance, with the 2026 GLS 450 rated at 375 horsepower and the GLS 580 at 510 horsepower.
- Standard all-wheel drive is part of the mainstream 2026 lineup.
- For 2026, maximum towing capacity is rated at 7,700 pounds.
Who it's for
The GLS fits families who regularly use a third row but do not want the experience to feel like a compromise. It also suits buyers who carry adult passengers, take long road trips, or want one upscale SUV to handle both everyday family duty and heavier towing.
Mercedes-Benz GLS lineup
Pick the GLS 450 4MATIC if you want the core GLS experience with its six-cylinder engine and less emphasis on outright power. Step up to the GLS 580 4MATIC when the stronger response and extra reserve of a V8 matter more. Both sit within the same three-row luxury formula and use standard all-wheel drive, so the main decision is how much engine performance you want.
Mercedes-Benz GLS generations
From 2017 to 2026, the GLS spans two generations. The current 3rd Generation — X167 arrived for 2020, following the 2nd Generation — X166 (2013–2019; GLS name from 2017).
3rd Generation — X167 (2020–Present)
The X167 redesign brought a longer wheelbase, a roomier three-row cabin, 48-volt mild-hybrid engines, and a dual-screen dashboard. A 2024 refresh revised the styling and cabin technology and gave the GLS 450 and GLS 580 more power.
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2026
The GLS carries over with the same engines, three-row layout, and main comfort, safety, and technology features.
2025
A fingerprint scanner for loading saved driver profiles became standard; the rest of the GLS was largely unchanged.
2024Mid-cycle update
Refreshed exterior styling, newer touchscreen software, a new steering wheel, and more power for the GLS 450 and GLS 580.
2023
A panoramic sunroof became standard across the lineup, while the GLS 450 also gained standard metallic paint.
2022
An enhanced alarm with parking-damage detection became standard; the rest of the lineup changed little.
2021
The AMG GLS 63 and Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 joined the range for the first time.
2020New generation
A full redesign brought a longer wheelbase, more passenger room, new mild-hybrid engines, and twin 12.3-inch displays.
2nd Generation — X166 (2013–2019; GLS name from 2017)
The X166 began as the GL-Class and took the GLS name for 2017. That change came with refreshed styling, revised cabin controls, and a 9-speed automatic for non-AMG models, but the underlying platform remained the same.
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2019
A limited-production Grand Edition appearance package was the main update before the 2020 redesign.
2018Trim changes
The GLS carried over with the same engines, standard all-wheel drive, air suspension, and three-row layout.
2017Mid-cycle update
The GL-Class became the GLS and received updated styling, revised cabin controls, and a 9-speed automatic for non-AMG models.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Mercedes-Benz GLS have three rows?
Yes. The GLS is Mercedes-Benz’s full-size three-row luxury SUV. The 2020 redesign added more room in the second and third rows, and GLS models use power-folding third-row seats for easier cargo loading.
What is the Mercedes-Benz GLS known for?
The GLS is known for combining adult-friendly three-row space with a plush air-suspension ride, a richly finished cabin, strong gas engines, and extensive comfort and technology features.
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLS a good family SUV?
Yes, especially for families that regularly use all three rows. It offers a large cabin, power-adjustable or folding rear seats, standard all-wheel drive, and a comfort-focused ride. Its size also suits drivers who need substantial cargo room.
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLS the same vehicle as the older GL-Class?
Yes. Mercedes-Benz renamed the GL-Class as the GLS for 2017 and gave it a light update. That version continued through 2019 before a fully redesigned GLS arrived for 2020.
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLS a hybrid?
Newer GLS gas engines use 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, starting with the 2020 redesign. This system supports the gasoline engine, but the GLS lineup described here does not include a plug-in hybrid or a full hybrid that drives mainly on electric power.
Does every Mercedes-Benz GLS have all-wheel drive?
Yes. The GLS versions covered here use Mercedes-Benz’s 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, from the 2017 diesel and gasoline models through the latest GLS 450 and GLS 580 lineup.
How much can a Mercedes-Benz GLS tow?
The latest GLS lineup has a maximum towing rating of 7,700 pounds. Actual capability can depend on the vehicle’s equipment, so verify the specific used GLS before planning to tow near that limit.
Mercedes-Benz GLS Reviews
What owners are saying about the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
4.2
Mercedes-Benz GLS
(2,397 reviews)
“Excellent vehicle! One of the best I've ever driven. Very reliable and great to drive!”
“I love the GLS 450!. It is solid. It has nice pick up. It fits a large German Shepherd in the back plus bags for traveling with a family of four. This is my second one. I drove every other SUV in its class and some below and it is by far the easiest to handle and has all the features I could want. Wouldn't trade it; at least for a while!”
“Like the size, great that it is now a 6 cylinder, much better gas mileage. Handles very well, comfortable interior.”
“Great car but has some transmission control issues that require tweaking of an onboard computer.”
“Drives so smoothly. So comfortable and handles very well. Luxurious vehicle. Lots of space. Well thought out.”