Mercedes-Benz GLS 2016 Review

Priced between $117,000 and $218,000, the new-look Mercedes-Benz GLS is a seven-seat behemoth that is equal parts troop transport and luxury performance car. Offered with quiet, efficient turbo-diesel V6s or loud and angry V8s pumping out up to 430kW, it replaces the GL and adds an 'S' to align it more closely with the S-Class sedan. But is the GLS just a facelifted GL or something altogether intriguing? Let's find out.

Passenger cars scramble out of the way of the Mercedes-Benz GLS as it roars down the highway; its huge size, weight and presence quite literally scaring the bejesus out of other road users.

It's almost worth the price of admission just to see other motorists turn off their indicators and stay in their lane when they glimpse the giant LED-encrusted front fascia in their wing mirrors.

Of course it's not intentional – the cruise control is set to 103km/h – it's just that this big, bold and brawny German machine is an imposing vehicle. And who doesn't want to be the alpha dog? It's intoxicating!

Indeed, you really feel like king (or queen) of the road, the GLS positioning the driver several feet above most other road users with a superior view of your surroundings.

Because the car now measures 5.13 metres long (10mm longer) and 1.93 metres wide it also affords excellent interior room. If cabin real estate is your prime concern, you won't do much better than one of these – there's more head, leg and shoulder room than most business-class airline seats.

Front seats are comfortable and wide while the three middle row seats offer surprising spaciousness too. There's also a fold down armrest with cup holders for back seat passengers. The third row seats offer decent room, more than expected, and feature push-button electric folding for effortless manipulation – kind of like a canny toddler who knows just how to get their way.

Benz' big Bertha also packs plenty of boot space: between 680 and 2300 litres. Considering the boot has a load length of up to 2.12 metres and can carry almost a tonne (805kg) you could ostensibly fit a small bungalow in there. Or at least a child's treehouse.

Being a Mercedes-Benz it's a safe, well-equipped luxury vehicle, fitted as standard with smart LED lights, collision prevention assistance that will apply the brakes if you don't, and several other driving aids including a crosswind assistant plus radar cruise control and active lane-keeping assist. In other words, it'll accelerate, brake and steer itself – within reason.

Large 20-inch alloy wheels are standard, as is Comand navigation, Dynamic Select with five drive modes, leather everything, electric everything and of course the new look front and rear fascias.

The inclusion of Apple CarPlay is nice, although I couldn't get it work during the launch drive (there's a first for everything!) and the lack of Android Auto compatibility is a slap in the face to the most popular smartphone operating system in Australia.

Mercedes-Benz’ renaming and higher pricing of the GLS is supposed to create a closer association between it and the S-Class sedan, but it turns out the link is in name only.

Although there's plenty of luxury in the GLS it doesn't come close to the opulence of the S-Class limo. The seats, the dash, the infotainment and cabin design feels dated and very much last-generation – because it is.

The centre console with its slightly larger central screen looks old and crusty compared to the new-generation of Benz vehicles. Where are the dual screens from the S-Class, the incredible finishes, the advanced tech, the massaging seats? Oh wait, the massage function is there on some models… but the connection between S-Class and GLS is tenuous at best.

But the Mercedes-Benz GLS is nothing if not comfortable, with impressive levels of ride comfort even on the big 20- and 21-inch rims. There was a little wheel bump over deeper road fissures but it's heard more than felt.

There are three engine options, all of them four-wheel drive hooked up to nine-speed automatic transmissions except for the AMG, which gets a seven-speeder.

Entry-level GLS 350 d models pack a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 that represents good value for money at $116,900. The engine pumps out 190kW and 620Nm, enough mumbo to ably move the SUV's 2455kg mass, and taking 7.8 seconds to go from 0-100km/h.
It can return claimed fuel economy of 7.6L/100km and a 100 litre tank ensures a decent freeway cruising range.

Step up to the GLS 500 and you'll pay more ($161,900), but you'll be rewarded with a lot more engine response and a bit more fruit, such as heated and cooled front seats, a digital TV tuner, heated second row seats and panoramic glass roof.

Propelled by a lusty-sounding 4.7-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 engine, worth 335kW and 700Nm, the GLS 500 is lovely to drive with huge amounts of power in reserve for overtaking or just mauling other vehicles in the traffic light sprint. It rips from 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds but is much thirstier as a result, with fuel consumption rated at 11.3L/100km.

And if money is no object, then why not spend $217,900 on the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63, which emits a crackling, bassy bellow that'll make you feel like a bitumen tyrant. The 5.5-litre V8 is an absolute rip-snorter, seemingly shrinking the GLS's significant weight and size.

Acceleration 0-100km/h is rated at 4.6 seconds, top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h – but can be raised to 270km/h at customers' behest – and with 430kW and 760Nm it fair flies. Benz reckons it sips fuel 12.3/100km, but we recorded 14.7L/100km which ain't too shabby.

The AMG GLS 63 also looks seriously tough; the F1-inspired front blade that cuts a swathe horizontally across the front fascia a highlight. The sports seats are the pick of the bunch too, with excellent side support that doesn't compromise comfort.

AMG owners also get massive 22-inch alloy wheels, upgraded AMG brakes, sports suspension, and servo-assisted power-closing doors.

All models are relatively competent through corners, particularly the V8 models, and although the steering lacks meaningful feedback you can still have plenty of fun behind the wheel if you desire.

In practical terms the GLS is really easy to drive smoothly and slowly, for instance around town, but despite reversing cameras and proximity sensors the vehicle's size makes finding (and utilising) a decent carpark challenging.

All told the Mercedes-Benz GLS is a more luxurious, better-looking, more involving SUV beast to drive than before, but it lacks the attention to detail – particularly inside – that most other premium cars from Stuttgart offer.

To answer the question posed at the start of this yarn, yes, the GLS is just a GL with a major nip and tuck.

2016 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC pricing and specifications:
Price: $217,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 5.5-litre eight-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 430kW/760Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 14.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 28g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Volvo XC90 (from $89,950 plus ORCs)
>> Range Rover (from $179,800 plus ORCs)
>> Lexus LX 570 (from $140,500 plus ORCs)