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Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
Car and Driver says the GLS-Class is Mercedes-Benz's largest SUV, seating up to seven people across three rows and signaled as among the swankiest by the S (for S-Class) in its name, with a lively 375-hp turbocharged six-cylinder in the GLS450 and a purring 510-hp twin-turbo V-8 in the GLS580, and standard air suspension that keeps the large SUV balanced and composed through fast turns and over rough pavement. MotorTrend says blending full-size luxury, three-row space, and long-haul comfort into one imposing package, the GLS-Class is the brand's flagship SUV, rivaling the BMW X7, Infiniti QX80, and Cadillac Escalade, with driving dynamics that are confident and composed for a vehicle this size, though transmission smoothness could be better, fuel economy isn't class-leading, and the third row and cargo space aren't as generous as some rivals'.
S-Class levels of luxury, in an SUV
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says the GLS-Class is Mercedes-Benz's largest SUV, seating up to seven people across three rows and signaled as among the swankiest by the S (for S-Class) in its name, with a lively 375-hp turbocharged six-cylinder in the GLS450 and a purring 510-hp twin-turbo V-8 in the GLS580, and standard air suspension that keeps the large SUV balanced and composed through fast turns and over rough pavement.
The brand's flagship SUV
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says blending full-size luxury, three-row space, and long-haul comfort into one imposing package, the GLS-Class is the brand's flagship SUV, rivaling the BMW X7, Infiniti QX80, and Cadillac Escalade.
Confident, but not class-leading in every measure
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says driving dynamics are confident and composed for a vehicle this size, though transmission smoothness could be better, fuel economy isn't class-leading, and the third row and cargo space aren't as generous as some rivals'.
Questions buyers ask
How much horsepower does the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class have?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says 375 hp in the GLS450 and 510 hp in the GLS580.
What SUVs compete with the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) names the BMW X7, Infiniti QX80, and Cadillac Escalade.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is built around 3.0L turbo inline-six, 4.0L turbo V8, or 4.0L turbo V8 (Maybach), rated at 375 / 510 / 550 / 603 horsepower across its full-size luxury SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 4 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe most the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is published to tow is up to 7,700 lb.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2026 GLS-Class.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
GLS 450 uses the 375-hp turbo six; GLS 580 steps up to a 510-hp V8; Maybach GLS 600 uses a 550-hp tune of the V8 with long-wheelbase luxury equipment; AMG GLS 63 is the 603-hp performance flagship.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
4 indexed Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 2025 record → | |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 2022 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS, formerly Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, is a full-size luxury crossover SUV produced by Mercedes-Benz since 2006. In each of its generations it is a three-row, seven-passenger vehicle positioned above the GLE (formerly Mercedes-Benz M-Class before 2016). The GLS is considered the flagship of the marque's SUV lineup, although the body-on-frame G-Class (originally intended for military off-roading but also offered in luxurious trims) is more expensive and has been in production longer.
Source: Mercedes-Benz GLS (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class at a glance
- Production
- 2006–2015 (GL-Class), 2015–present (GLS)
- Model years
- 2007–2016 (GL-Class), 2017–present (GLS)
- Class
- Full-size luxury crossover SUV
- Layout
- Front-engine, four-wheel drive (4Matic)
- Related models
- Mercedes-Benz ML-Class/GLE
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class generations
The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has been redesigned in 2012, 2019, gaps of 6, 7 years, an average of 6.5 years between generations. The current generation (third generation, X167) began in 2019.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | X164 | 2006–2012 | The X164 GL-Class debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. |
| Second generation | X166 | 2012–2019 | The X166 GL-Class went on sale in September 2012. |
| Third generation | X167 | 2019–present | The third generation model debuted at the 2019 New York International Auto Show. |
Year by year
The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class across 11 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 21 | $3,800 | 1 |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 15–21 | $3,700–$5,150 | 4 |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 15–21 | $3,700–$5,150 | 4 |
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 16–21 | $3,700–$4,850 | 4 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 16–20 | $3,900–$4,850 | 4 |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 15–20 | $3,900–$5,150 | 4 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 16–21 | $3,700–$4,850 | 4 |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 18–21 | $3,700–$4,300 | 2 |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 15–18 | $4,300–$5,150 | 3 |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 15–19 | $4,100–$5,150 | 3 |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 14–19 | $4,100–$5,550 | 3 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 to 2027 | 4 to 1 | 18.0 to 21.0 | Labels: AMG GLS63 4matic Plus, GLS580 4matic, GLS600 4matic Maybach; Engines: 4L 8-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid | |
| 2024 to 2025 | 18.5 to 18.0 | |||
| 2023 to 2024 | 18.0 to 18.5 | |||
| 2022 to 2023 | 17.5 to 18.0 | Drives: 4-Wheel Drive | ||
| 2021 to 2022 | 18.5 to 17.5 | Drives: All-Wheel Drive | ||
| 2020 to 2021 | 2 to 4 | 19.5 to 18.5 | Labels: AMG GLS63 4matic Plus, GLS600 4matic Maybach | |
| 2019 to 2020 | 3 to 2 | 16.5 to 19.5 | Labels: GLS580 4matic; Engines: 3L 6-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid, 4L 8-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid | Labels: AMG GLS63, GLS550 4matic; Engines: 3L 6-cyl SIDI, 4.7L 8-cyl SIDI, 5.5L 8-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic 7-spd |
| 2018 to 2019 | 17.0 to 16.5 | |||
| 2017 to 2018 | 16.5 to 17.0 |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLS 450 4MATIC | AWD | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 375 | 369 | 5,523 | 7,700 | 21 | – |
| GLS 580 4MATIC | AWD | 4.0-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 510 | 538 | 5,842 | 7,700 | 16 | – |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) / 4.0-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 375–510 | 5,523–5,842 | 7,700 | 23.8 |
| 2025 | 2 | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) / 4.0-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 375–510 | 5,545–5,875 | 7,700 | 23.8 |
| 2024 | 2 | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) / 4.0-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 375–510 | 5,489 | 7,700 | 23.8 |
| 2023 | 2 | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) / 4.0-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 362–483 | – | 7,700 | 23.8 |
| 2022 | 2 | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) / 4.0-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 362–483 | – | 7,700 | 23.8 |
| 2021 | 2 | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) / 4.0-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 362–483 | 5,467–5,754 | 7,700 | 23.8 |
| 2020 | 2 | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) / 4.0-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 362–483 | – | 7,700 | 23.8 |
| 2019 | 2 | 3.0-liter V6 (Twin Turbo) / 4.7-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 362–449 | 5,335–5,578 | 7,200 | 26.4 |
| 2018 | 2 | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0L / V8, Twin Turbo, 4.7L | 362–449 | 5,379–5,578 | 7,200 | 26.4 |
| 2017 | 3 | V6, Turbo Dsl, 3.0L / V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0L / V8, Twin Turbo, 4.7L | 255–449 | 5,335 | 7,500 | 26.4 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0W-40 | – | – | – | – |
| 2018 | – | – | – | – | CR2025 |
| 2017 | – | – | – | – | CR2025 |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Compared with
Models this Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is most often compared with.
Nearest Mercedes-Benz models
Other Mercedes-Benz models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 GLS-Class come in?
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class (full-size luxury SUV) comes in 4 trims: GLS 450, GLS 580, Maybach GLS 600, AMG GLS 63.
Q02What are the 2026 GLS-Class trims?
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class trims are GLS 450, GLS 580, Maybach GLS 600, AMG GLS 63, listed from the entry GLS 450 up to the top AMG GLS 63.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 GLS-Class use?
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is built around 3.0L turbo inline-six, 4.0L turbo V8, or 4.0L turbo V8 (Maybach), rated at 375 / 510 / 550 / 603 horsepower across its full-size luxury SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 GLS-Class have?
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is rated at 375 / 510 / 550 / 603 horsepower (3.0L turbo inline-six, 4.0L turbo V8, or 4.0L turbo V8 (Maybach)).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 GLS-Class?
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is offered with Standard AWD.