2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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While the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, a 3-row luxury SUV, was refreshed for 2017, it still looks and feels new. The 2019 GLS-Class carries over unchanged, though the limited Grand Edition offers a more elegant take on the GLS styling.
The exterior look and feel of the GLS-Class is pure Mercedes-Benz, distinguished by a bold grille and eye-catching wheel designs. The Grand Edition, available in GLS 450 and GLS 550 trims, adds exclusive badging, active LED headlights, and 20- or 21-inch wheels, depending on trim level.
The three trims gets all-wheel drive (AWD) and each trim gets a unique powertrain. The GLS 450, rated for 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, features a 3.0-liter biturbo 6-cylinder engine and 9-speed automatic transmission. The GLS 550 boasts 449 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, powered by a 4.7-liter biturbo 8-cylinder engine and 9-speed automatic. The top-tier AMG GLS 63, powered by a 5.5-liter biturbo 8-cylinder engine and 7-speed automatic, is rated for 577 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is best with the GLS 450 4matic, which is rated for 16 mpg city, 22 highway, and 18 combined. Fuel economy dips to 14, 19, and 16 with the 550 4matic and 13, 18, and 15 with AMG GLS 63.
The cabin of the GLS-Class features high quality upholstery, comfortable seating, and wood trim, though the AMG trim gets aluminum touches. Standard features include synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power-folding third row, a power liftgate, and a sunroof. Upgrades include Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated and massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Grand Edition gets Nappa leather in Porcelain and Espresso Brown, a Nappa leather dashboard, coordinating floor mats, wood trim, and ambient lighting.
An 8-inch display comes standard in the GLS 450, though buyers need to check some upgrade boxes or go up a trim level to access more infotainment features. The Mercedes-Benz COMAND system is optional, along with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and a rear-row entertainment system.
There isn’t much data available regarding the crashworthiness of the GLS-Class; the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted just one test on the 2018 model and awarded it a Good score. Standard safety features include a reversing camera, the Pre-Safe system that prepares the vehicle for an imminent crash, driver-attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, and forward-collision warning. The GLS-Class offers a multi-view reversing camera, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, active distance assist with active steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and parking assist.
The GLS-Class is a solid choice for a 7-passenger luxury SUV, coming with enough standard equipment to satisfy most buyers. Still, the available upgrades are tempting, and add up to a truly impressive vehicle. It competes against other luxury 3-row SUVs like the BMW X7.
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2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 13.8 · Front brake width: 1.3 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.6 · Rear brake width: 0.9 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Cargo area floor mat material: carpet · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: liftgate · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.27
Engine
Alternator: 180 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: power adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3 · Number of third row headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: sliding sunshade · Roof rails: aluminum
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front, rear and third row · Seatbelt pretensioners: front, rear and third row · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point · Third row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Third row headrests: adjustable · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Stability and Traction
Traction control: with trailer stability control
Steering
Steering ratio: 18.9
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: height · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: memory card navigation system · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Mercedes me · Smart device app function: vehicle location · Wifi: hotspot compatible
Third Row Seat
Type: 50-50 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: jack · 10GB hard drive · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 830 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 14.8 · Front brake width: 1.4 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.6 · Rear brake width: 0.9 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Cargo area floor mat material: carpet · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Active parking system: driver controlled brake, gas and gear selection · Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: rear · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: manual rear seat · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 115V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.27
Engine
Alternator: 180 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Running boards: chrome · Side door type: soft close · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: power adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3 · Number of third row headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: automatic high beam dimmer · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass · Moonroof / Sunroof: power sunshade · Rear sunroof: power glass · Roof rails: aluminum
Safety
Camera system: surround view · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front, rear, third, and fourth row · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point · Third row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: 4-way power lumbar · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Third row headrests: adjustable · Third row seat folding: power · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Stability and Traction
Traction control: with trailer stability control
Steering
Steering ratio: 18.9
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Mercedes me · Smart device app function: send destination to vehicle · Wifi: hotspot compatible
Third Row Seat
Type: 50-50 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Third row side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · 10GB hard drive · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 830 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 15.4 · Front brake width: 1.4 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.2 · Rear brake width: 1.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Cargo area floor mat material: carpet · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Active parking system: driver controlled brake, gas and gear selection · Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: rear · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: manual rear seat · Memorized settings: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 115V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.47
Engine
Alternator: 180 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Running boards: illuminated · Side door type: soft close · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: power adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3 · Number of third row headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Yelp · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: automatic high beam dimmer · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: anti-trapping feature · Moonroof / Sunroof: power sunshade · Rear sunroof: power glass · Roof rails: aluminum
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: surround view · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front, rear, third, and fourth row · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front, rear and third row · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point · Third row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Third row headrests: adjustable · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Stability and Traction
Traction control: with trailer stability control
Steering
Steering ratio: 18.9
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Mercedes me · Smart device app function: horn/light operation · Wifi: hotspot compatible
Third Row Seat
Type: 50-50 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent