The 2024 GLS class is an SUV that allows the entire family to enjoy Mercedes-level luxury and its driver with remarkable agility. It has three rows of spacious seats. It starts with a turbocharged 362-hp inline-six engine that’s powerful and smooth. The GLS580, which swaps the six for an 8-cylinder twin-turbo V-8, has 483 ponies. With the large motor, fuel economy is a bit lower.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS
All models include all-wheel drive and adjustable air suspension. You can adjust the drive mode to Sport to get the best body control. This is a significant improvement over rivals like the Lincoln Navigator and Land Rover Range Rover. Mercedes has added a lot of tech features to the GLS’s cabin.
This includes a huge dual-display dashboard that digitizes everything, from the SUV’s gauges and its infotainment system. The controls of the GLS are quite simple to use, even though they rely so heavily on screens. We think most buyers will appreciate this.
What’s new for 2024?
Two minor changes have been made to the GLS class for 2024. All models of the GLS450 are now available with metallic paint. Executive Rear Seat Plus transforms the second row into a Sybarite area with massaging seats and a wireless charging pad.
It also includes a tablet controller for GLS’s infotainment systems, plush headrests, and a tablet controller. Side-impact airbags increase the safety level. You will need leather upholstery to order this package. This is not a standard option.
Engine, Transmission, & Performance
There are two models available: the six-cylinder GLS450 and the eight-cylinder GLS580-. Both have some hybridization. The turbocharged 3.0-liter Inline-Six engine of the GLS450 is as smooth as granite, producing 362 horsepower. The GLS580, with its twin-turbocharged V-8 4.0-liter engine, is much more powerful. It produces 483 horsepower.
The GLS450 ran at 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds and stopped at 70 mph in just 154 feet on our track. The GLS class, despite its size, is very easy to maneuver on twisty roads, but not too sporty. Mercedes offers an optional trick system called Active Body Control, which is available on all models. The system uses a forward-facing camera that detects bumps and adjusts the suspension to compensate. This will make riders feel less affected by road imperfections. Although it’s an expensive technology, we believe most buyers will be satisfied with the standard setup.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The GLS-class’s EPA fuel economy estimates are not great. The GLS450 gets 18 mpg in the city, 23 on the highway, and 20 combined. The GLS580 is worse with 16 mpg and 21 mpg respectively. The GLS450 managed 24 mpg in real-world testing on our 75-mph highway test.
In the same test, the GLS580 achieved a disappointing 18 mpg. The BMW X7 luxury SUV will be a better option if fuel economy is a priority. The six-cylinder X7 xDrive40i achieved an impressive 28 mpg on the highway, while the eight-cylinder xDrive50i was able to achieve 24 mpg. Visit the EPA website for more information on the GLS-class fuel economy.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo
This generation of GLS borrows its cockpit and dashboard layouts from the new GLE-class SUV. It is much more modern than its predecessor. The GLS can carry seven people, but you can also have it spec’d to seat six passengers with the optional captain’s chair.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS Redesign
Passenger space is generous in the first and second rows, and the third row, while not as spacious as the second, can accommodate an adult without too much complaining–something that can’t be said of the Wayback in the X7.
Connectivity and Infotainment
The dashboard is dominated by two 12.3-inch digital displays. The one serves as the driver’s reconfigurable gauge display. The other runs Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX software. It features an iPhone-like virtual assistant. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto capability, in-dash navigation, and an onboard WiFi hotspot are all standard features.
The GLS models include a Burmester Surround Sound stereo with 13 speakers. However, if this is not enough, you can opt for the Burmester 3D audio system which has a 26-speaker arrangement.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS Pricing
The AMG is often the top-of-the-line version of every Mercedes. It was the same with the GLS until Maybach added the Maybach model. The package can be removed from the lineup due to its exclusivity. It makes the full-size SUV among the most luxurious on the market.
Let’s first see what the 2024 Mercedes Benz GLS AMG 63 has to offer. This is the most powerful engine configuration. The 4.0-liter engine can produce 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful SUVs on the market. The fastest model can sprint from 0-60 mph in just 4 seconds. Every part of the vehicle requires special attention.
This includes the maintenance of the nine-speed automatic transmission, suspension, and AWD system. The steering wheel will have drive controls. The AMG seats offer a more comfortable ride. The cupholders can heat and cool beverages. Prices start at $135,000, and you can add optional upgrades to make the MSRP more than $150k.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS Specs
Mercedes Maybach GLS 600 is the only model that can beat it. This model is not yet available for the 2024 Year of Mercy. The base price of the Mercedes is more than $160,000. Mercedes does not offer many options for Maybach models, but it is a unique craft.
The AMG version’s 4.0-l engine has a lower power output. The engine produces “only” 558 horsepower, making it slower to accelerate from 0-60 mph (4.8 seconds). Comfort is maximized by the two-row layout. It is enhanced by heat and massage seats. All around the cabin is Nappa leather. Because the rear row cannot be folded, the cargo space is less than in standard models. MBUX infotainment gets special treatment, including the exclusive 27-speaker Burmester sound system.
