Is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS a good car?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS earns an expert rating of 7.83/10. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Technology.

For you, that means the GLS is strongest when you want a three-row luxury SUV that prioritizes passenger room, a polished cabin, and a manageable footprint for daily driving. The expert review also highlights premium interior materials, a comfortable ride, and rewarding driving dynamics, which line up well with its role as Mercedes’ most spacious SUV.

The trade-offs are real, though: unimpressive fuel economy and less cargo space than some rivals are the biggest drawbacks, and third-row access is also a weak point. Even so, the GLS remains a compelling choice if your priorities are comfort, refinement, and upscale tech rather than maximum utility.

With 33.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS reliable?

The GLS is presented as a polished, well-engineered luxury SUV with a quiet cabin, composed ride, and solid dynamics, which are all encouraging signs for day-to-day dependability. Its turbocharged inline-six powertrain is described as smooth and capable, and the standard Airmatic adaptive suspension helps the SUV feel settled and controlled.

The expert review also notes that the GLS can be a bit less polished in some situations, including occasional responsiveness delays and unwanted lurching in Comfort mode. On the ownership side, the model’s upscale hardware and technology suggest that long-term upkeep could be more demanding than on a simpler SUV, so used buyers should plan for careful maintenance and a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 96.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and verify that the specific SUV you’re considering has a clean service record. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important on a luxury three-row SUV like this, since you’ll want to check the condition of the suspension, electronics, interior trim, and all driver-assistance features. Pay close attention to how the third row, seat mechanisms, and infotainment system operate, since those are the kinds of features you’ll use often.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The GLS 450 is the base version, and it uses artificial leather upholstery rather than the richer materials found on higher trims. It also carries the awkward fake front skid plate that the styling package helps resolve.
• Powertrain: The GLS 450 uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with mild-hybrid assist, making 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with a nine-speed automatic and standard 4Matic all-wheel drive, and it is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes Pre-Safe, Crosswind Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and Car-to-X Communication. Rear-seat side-impact airbags are optional, and hands-free highway driving tech is not offered.
• Infotainment: The GLS uses dual 12.3-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, augmented-reality navigation, and standard Burmester surround sound with Dolby Atmos. A head-up display and rear-seat screens are available.
• Fuel efficiency: The GLS 450 is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined, but the test route returned 19.4 mpg.

Which 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS trim should I buy?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS is offered in 4 trim levels: GLS 450, GLS 580, AMG GLS 63, and Maybach GLS 600.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The GLS 450 is the most sensible starting point if you want the core GLS experience without chasing extras. It uses artificial leather upholstery, and the standard setup leaves you with the awkward fake front skid plate that the styling package helps improve.
• Sweet-spot trim: The GLS 450 with the Manufaktur Edition Package is the most appealing value play if you want a richer look and feel. It adds 21-inch AMG wheels, the AMG Line Exterior Package, the Night Package, and the Exclusive Package with massaging front and heated second-row captain’s chairs.
• Premium/top trim: The Maybach GLS 600 is the obvious choice if you want the most opulent version of the GLS lineup. The available leather grades, premium trim materials, and upscale cabin presentation make the upper end of the range feel especially luxurious.

The GLS 450 is the trim most buyers are likely to be satisfied with, especially if you care more about comfort, technology, and everyday usability than maximum power.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS?

The market looks moderately favorable if you’re a selective buyer.

• Deal availability: 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 977 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 96.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $90,441.35, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS safe?

The GLS comes with nearly 40 standard safety and driver-assistance systems, including Pre-Safe, Crosswind Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. It also includes Car-to-X Communication, which adds a forward-looking connected-safety element.

The main caveat is that rear-seat side-impact airbags are optional rather than standard, and the hands-on highway driver-assistance system is not as polished as some rivals’ hands-free setups. The expert review also notes that the system can wander in curves and brake more aggressively than expected in some situations, so you should treat it as an assist feature rather than a substitute for attention.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Should I buy a 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 96.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It offers more passenger room and cargo space than any other model in Mercedes’ lineup, while still delivering a comfortable ride and rewarding driving dynamics.

The bottom line: If you want the current-year GLS with strong space, comfort, and tech appeal, the 2026 is an easy year to target. If you’re more price-sensitive, a nearby model year may be worth considering, but the 2026 remains the better fit when you want the latest version of this formula and can find a well-priced example.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.