2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS review

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6 hours ago

When is big not quite big enough? 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
Well, in the case of the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup, you can have the already-big GLE large SUV with up to three rows of seating and hulking exterior dimensions, or you can get the even larger GLS full-size SUV with three roomier rows.
Measuring a whole 5020mm long, 2030mm wide and 1798mm tall, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS is a big beast. Offering seven seats that should cater to a full car of adults, it dwarfs most other cars on the road this side of an American pickup truck.
Like the BMW X7 with which it competes, the GLS is assembled in the United States and serves as the SUV flagship for the Three Pointed Star. The brand has even labelled it as the 'S-Class of SUVs' in the past.
The model on test is the 'entry-level' GLS450d 4Matic, which sneaks in just under $200,000 before on-road costs; and is now the sole non-AMG or Maybach variant available following the discontinuation of the 450 petrol.
WATCH: Paul's video review of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS400d 4MATIC
So, if you're looking for one of the biggest and fanciest ways to transport seven people, is the Mercedes-Benz GLS a top pic?
Read on to find out…
The most attainable GLS is the limited-run 450d Edition 7, which dropped the price of entry by $17,000 earlier this year but in 'strictly limited' numbers. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
The vehicle you see here is the regular 450d AMG Line, which for model year 2025 (MY25) is priced from $189,100 before on-road costs. Drive-away, you're looking at a base price over $200,000.
By comparison, the BMW X7 starts from $171,300 for the petrol 40i, and $178,300 for the diesel 40d. Still, the GLS is well under the base sticker of the Range Rover, which kicks off from $257,404 before on-road costs.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Not a whole lot has changed in the cabin of the GLS since its 2019 debut, though a mild mid-life refresh has brought some subtle changes to the looks and technology. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
There's a new steering wheel with double-decker touch-capacitive spokes, as well as revised 12.3-inch twin displays running the second-generation MBUX software interface seen in other Benz models.
Compared to the previous iteration, it's quicker and is less menu dense. More voice activated functionality as well as the re-introduction of touch inputs also makes it easier to use.
We found wireless Apple CarPlay worked well, and we imagine the same goes for Android Auto. If you don't want to use your phone's software, the native interface has heaps of functionality including augmented reality navigation and other connected services, as well as the intelligent 'Hey Mercedes' voice assistant.
The driver's cluster is also hugely customisable, with multiple layouts and widgets to personalise to your tastes. Controlling these displays with the touch-sensitive steering controls can be a bit finicky, though. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
You'll notice the upholstery in our tester is a more standard grained leather rather than smoother Nappa hide, which on first glance doesn't feel worthy of the GLS450d's near-$200,000 price tag. Nappa upholstery optional.
The grained surfaces continue on the Artico (Benz-speak for man-made leather) trimmed dashboard and door cards, but unlike the finishes in Audis and BMWs it just doesn't feel as high-end as the sticker suggests.
Mercedes-Benz offers a few different colours for the interior which dress it up a bit – Macchiato Beige, Catalana Beige and Bahia Brown as well as Black – as well as four different trim inserts including three woods and a pinstriped piano black. I personally think any of the other interior options would make a world of difference.
At least the switchgear is tactile and functional, though the central touchpad which acts as a secondary screen controller can be fiddly on the move. The cooled front cupholders are a nice touch, though.
There's also heaps of storage too, from the cupholders and phone slot ahead of the centre console to the large door bins and centre cubby under the front-centre armrest – there are plenty of places to hide your stuff. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
As you'd imagine, the second row is very large. The long wheelbase and high roofline affords good head and leg room for taller passengers, and the rear seats electrically slide and recline, including a rear access function.
They're quite slow, though, particularly the rear access function which feels like it takes an eternity. In this instance I'd be happy with manual operation or a quick hydraulic release.
Kids will love the big panoramic sunroof, which lets heaps of light in without impeding on head room. That said, it stops at the second row, meaning third-row passengers can feel a little boxed in with the dark interior colour scheme of our test vehicle.
As standard the rear seats are heated on the outboard positions which is nice, with cooling optional. Extra zones for climate control with directional vents in the rear are also nice, as is the array of USB-C power points in rows two and three.
Speaking of, row three isn't quite as big as the second row but you can fit decent-sized adults back there with good head and knee room. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
The third row gets two individual seats that also electrically raise or lower (again, slowly), and they get nicely trimmed armrests with cupholders, USB-C charge outlets and remote switches to fold the second row out of the way.
Boot space is quoted at a minimum 355 litres with the third row in play, expanding to a capacious 2400 litres with both rear rows of seating folded. For reference, the GLS's boot with seven seats is about the same as a VW Polo.
A collapsible space saver spare is under the rear, as well as an air compressor to pump it up.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
At the heart of the GLS450d is a turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 'EQ Boost' 48V mild-hybrid assistance. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
As you'd expect, the GLS feels like a large, substantial vehicle on the road. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
Pictured: Overseas model shown
It's hulking dimensions means it towers over conventional passenger vehicles, and driving in peak-hour traffic can feel like other motorists are darting around you and snapping at your heels.
This 2.7-tonne luxury bus is, however, very smooth, refined and comfortable for commuting. 750Nm from just 1350rpm makes for effortless performance, and it'll get moving briskly if you step on it.
Mercedes-Benz claims an almost hot hatch-like 6.1-second 0-100km/h dash for the 450d, which is no mean feat. It's about half a second off the smaller GLE SUV with the same drivetrain.
Speaking of the drivetrain, the big diesel engine with 48V mild-hybrid assistance is very smooth at low speeds, though it's not quite as aggressive an MHEV system as some other brands.
Unless you pop it in Eco mode, the 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel only turns off early as you come to a stop, then fires up just about instantly when you want to set off again. In Eco mode though, it'll shut off when coasting too. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
That helped us to achieve a still-impressive 8.5L/100km indicated economy readout despite a good mix of peak-hour driving mixed in with freeway stints. For reference, I live about 22km from the CarExpert Melbourne office with my daily commute combining ~18km of freeway with the remainder crossing the CBD and its surrounds.
General comfort is very good, with the standard adaptive air suspension offering a cushy ride and the optional E-Active Body Control working hard to minimise body movements. It can sometimes have an odd lateral movement which can feel a bit odd, but it also makes this 5.2m-long and 2.0m-wide SUV feel more wieldy than it ought to be.
The light steering makes the GLS easy to place, but it's not as direct or communicative as an X7 if you like a more feelsome drive. I'd argue the standard air-sprung chassis will be more than sufficient, and will save you a pretty penny upfront, too.
It's beautifully quiet in town and at a cruise, with great insulation from road, wind and powertrain noise. While decked out in AMG appearance gear, Mercedes-Benz has done well to give the GLS a comfort-focused ride rather than trying too hard to be 'sporty'.
Outward visibility is good thanks to the tall glasshouse and standard surround cameras, though the very chunky shoulderline and bluff sides can make this feel bigger and harder to park. Tight manoeuvres can be a little tricky given the immense length and long 3135mm wheelbase, too. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
As you'd expect the GLS is decked out with a suite of Benz's latest assistance systems, allowing this big Mercedes to offer semi-autonomous driving capability on the open road and in traffic jams.
Benz's 'Distronic' adaptive cruise combines with active lane keeping and steering assists to keep the GLS centred within its lane an a set distance from a lead vehicle. Mercedes's assistance software is one of the better calibrated and intuitive in the business, and the lane change assist function feels well sorted, if a little weird the first time you try it.
Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assists give you an extra set of eyes in traffic and tight areas, helping negotiate small gaps in traffic or city car parks.
The augmented reality function for the MBUX infotainment system also uses the forward camera feed and overlays graphics with directions and street names which is pretty cool. It also has a traffic light view in case you can't see the lights change due to the A-pillars or chunky side mirrors.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
While the cheaper Edition 7 offered a lower level of standard equipment, the 450d AMG Line is the mainstay entry-level model in the local GLS lineup. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS450d equipment highlights: AMG Line
Premium Plus Package
Aluminium-look running boards – illuminated
Mirror Package
5+2 seating
Anthracite open-pore wood trim
Artico leatherette dashboard, door trim
Easy-Pack auto tailgate
Memory Package – front seats
Roof liner in black fabric
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
12.3-inch MBUX infotainment system
DAB radio
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Wireless Android Auto
Airmatic adaptive air suspension
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
A handful of cost options and packages are available on the GLS450d AMG Line. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
Available add-ons include: 23-inch AMG alloy wheels: $2100
E-Active Body Control: $13,000 – fitted
Rear Comfort Package: $9900
Towbar Package: $2900
Electric rear sunblinds: $1300
Manufaktur paint: $2200-2900
The E-Active Body Control fitted to our test vehicle is fully active suspension combining the standard adaptive air suspension and damping with a 48V electro-hydraulic anti-roll bar system which reduces pitch, roll and shock sensations; as well as the bouncy off-road recovery feature.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
The GLS is currently unrated by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, though the smaller GLE wears a five-star rating. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
Standard safety features include: 9 airbags – incl. front-side, driver knee
Active Steering Assist – centring
Adaptive cruise control incl. stop/go
Adaptive high beam
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
Blind-spot monitoring
Driver attention monitoring
Evasive Steering Assist
Exit warning
Lane change assist
Lane departure warning
Lane-keep assist
Parking sensors – front, rear
Pre-Safe system
Rear cross-traffic alert
Surround-view camera
Traffic jam assist
Traffic sign assist
Trailer Manoeuvring Assist
Tyre pressure monitor
Speed Limit Assist
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is covered by a five year, unlimited kilometre new vehicle warranty. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
While Mercedes-Benz offers long 25,000km service intervals, the five-year Service Plan costs an astonishing $8140. For reference, both the Audi Q7 and BMW X7 cost about half that over the same period.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Like the GLE I reviewed last year, the GLS's many good points are outshone somewhat by its lofty pricing and austere cabin in as-tested specification. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
At $190,000 before options, the GLS does not feel like a $10,000+ better vehicle than the equivalent BMW X7 xDrive40d – particularly in its lush Pure Excellence spec.
Even then, it still requires a few expensive options to deck it out with the best Mercedes-Benz has to offer and costs an absolute fortune to service.
Yes, the 450d's mild-hybrid-assisted inline diesel six is a peach, and the comfort-focused ride suits the vibe of this big, luxurious family-hauler nicely, but there are plenty of other SUVs that will do as good a job for far less coin. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS Credit: CarExpert
Interested in buying a Mercedes-Benz GLS? Let CarExpert find you the best deal here
MORE: Explore the Mercedes-Benz GLS showroom Peachy mild-hybrid diesel
Massively practical cabin
Updated tech works well Expensive to buy and service
Interior doesn't scream $200k
Not a super feelsome drive