2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class sits at the top of the automaker’s luxury SUV range. The three-row GLS is the biggest SUV Mercedes offers, and the “S” in its names signifies its status as the SUV equivalent of Mercedes’ flagship S-Class sedan.

The SUV that’s now known as the GLS was launched for the 2007 model year as the GL-Class, when Mercedes decided it needed a bigger, more luxurious SUV to sit above the M-Class in its lineup. The GL-Class and M-Class were rebadged GLS-Class and GLE-Class, respectively, in 2014 when Mercedes introduced a new naming scheme across its lineup.

The current version of the GLS was introduced for the 2020 model year, and represents the model’s third generation. It’s aimed at other full-size luxury SUVs, including the BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX80, Land Rover Range Rover, Lincoln Navigator, and Lexus LX.

Mercedes withdrew most of its V8 models from the United States for the 2022 model year, leaving only the base six-cylinder GLS 450 4Matic model. The automaker is expected to begin resuming dealer orders for V8 models as you read this, though, so the GLS 580 4Matic, AMG GLS 63, and Maybach GLS 600 4Matic models should return to showrooms soon. Because it was the only version available at the time, we tested a GLS 450 for this review.

A subtle refresh for the 2024 model year keeps Mercedes’ popular sport-utility competitive against a wide roster of rivals which include the BMW X5, Genesis GV70, Cadillac XT6, Acura MDX, and Volvo XC90, to name just a few.

Changes between the previous GLE-Class and the 2024 model year consist primarily of a subtle redesign of the front grille (look closely and you’ll see it's now filled with tiny Mercedes-Benz star logos), reprofiled headlights and taillights, an updated infotainment system, and optional off-road-themed air suspension system that can raise the GLE 1.2 inches to clear obstacles. It can also shimmy this Mercedes sport-ute back and forth to help get it unstuck over tricky terrain.

Specific to our testing purposes, the 2024 GLE-Class also ushers in a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant called the GLE 450e 4Matic. As the last part of the name suggests, like every 2024 GLE, all-wheel drive is fitted as standard. Yet the big news is what’s under the hood of this new model, namely a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an electric motor and 23.3-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

While fully-electrified vehicles presently grab the most automotive headlines, a week spent with the GLE 450e highlighted how easily this luxurious PHEV sport-utility adapts to all sorts of driving situations.

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