Mercedes-Benz is one of the leading contenders across the luxury car category, and one area where luxury brands are vying for supremacy is the flagship three-row SUV category.
The Mercedes-Benz offered here is the GLS class. This goes head to head with US heavyweights such as Cadillac in his Escalade and Lincoln in his Navigator, as well as global SUV offerings from BMW, Audi, Infiniti, Lexus and Range Rover.
A three-row luxury SUV with comfortable seating for seven, the GLS is doing whatever it takes to dominate the category. But is that enough?
I recently spent some time with the 2022 GLS 450 and am back with a full report.
for your information
- Vehicle: 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450
- Price when tested: $94,230 (starting at around $78,000)
- Best features: classy design, smooth ride, top-notch technology
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Who would want this car?: Buyers looking for a beautiful, tech-savvy, large luxury SUV
Appearance
The 2022 GLS features a beautiful exterior design, with a bold front grille that is unobtrusive. Sleek lines and an attractive overall shape give it a class-leading look. The sharp black paint scheme is an eye-catching Obsidian Black metallic, making him one of the best color options for a Benz in my opinion.
The GLS is equipped with an electric tilt/slide sunroof, hands-free liftgate, rain-sensing windshield wipers and roof rails. The test car has a sharp impression with black accents on the 21-inch five-spoke wheels.
Go inside GLS and you’ll find the best designed cars (luxury or not) you’ll find from any automaker.
The leather seats are top-notch and the natural grain gray oak wood trim enhances the design. With all three rows, the GLS is very roomy, comfortable and stylish, without being overly pretentious, it oozes class.
The infotainment system features sharp graphics and its design fits well with the vehicle. Adults can also sit comfortably in the 3rd row seats.
With the push of a button, the rear seats can be folded down, making it easy to load luggage. As for cargo space, the GLS offers a cargo area of 84.7 cubic feet behind the front seats and 17.4 cubic feet with all seats raised. This is decent, but not best in class.
Other interior features include: Customizable ambient interior lighting. 4-zone automatic climate control. Power adjustable front seats with memory. Heated and ventilated front seats. smartphone integration; and nine USB ports.
There are also some powerful optional features such as 2nd row captain’s chairs (reduced to 6 people), 2nd row heated/ventilated/massage seats, power rear side window sunshades, interior fragrance system and heated steering wheel. Wheel.
how is the ride?
The 2022 GLS 450 features a turbocharged 3.0-liter engine producing 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque in combination with an automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard and features an adaptive air suspension system that raises and lowers the ride height for improved comfort and handling. Paddle shifters are included for those who want more control over their gears.
Anyone who upgrades to the GLS 580 gets a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that makes 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft, plus boosted 21-inch wheels.
The GLS 450 I tested had a very smooth, quiet and powerful ride, going from 0 to 60 in less than 7 seconds which is amazing for a vehicle this big. For most people, there is no need to move to his V8 on the 580.
Sport, Comfort, Eco and Individual drive modes are available. Of course, sport mode is the most fun. Whichever mode you choose, the GLS drives more like a car than an SUV. Agile and responsive, it turns and brakes effectively.
Those who choose the GLS 580 have the option of an off-road package with features such as fully variable 4Matic all-wheel drive, low-range transmission gearing, off-road + driving modes, anti-lock brakes and off-road tuning for traction . It features a control system, Hill Descent Control to control speed on steep hills, and more underbody damage protection.
If you want to tow behind the GLS, it can pull up to 7,700 lbs. This is a nice number.
technology, safety
Technology is another strong aspect of the 2022 GLS. Its 12.3-inch infotainment system is among the best-in-class buzz among luxury SUVs. It has a fast learning curve and both voice and touch commands are responsive and easy to use. It’s also easy to connect your phone to your vehicle to stream calls and music via Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard.
The infotainment system offers a touchpad controller, but I find it difficult to use and prefer to stick to the touchscreen controls.
The GLS massage seat has a variety of settings that provide a dreamy experience that will make you want to drive just to enjoy this feature. These are the type of touches that set the luxury ride apart from its rivals.
Navigation was another highlight as the system looked tremendous and reached its destination with precision. That is.
Whether you choose the standard 13-speaker Burmester surround sound setup or the 26-speaker Burmester 3D audio option, the sound system is truly impressive. A USB port and wireless phone charging are also included.
Turning to safety, the 2022 GLS has an optional basic self-driving system that steers the vehicle and keeps it safe between tracks and distant facilities. However, please note that the driver must always hold the steering wheel.
Another safety highlight was the excellent rear-view, surround-view camera system, which helped a lot when backing out and parking. Multiple angles are available so you can see obstacles reliably.
There’s also a forward collision mitigation system that can brake if a collision is imminent, and blind spot monitoring that protects you from poor lane-change choices.
Other available safety upgrades include Lane Keep Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Front Cross Traffic Alert and a Head-Up Display that projects important information directly into the driver’s line of sight on the windshield.
MPG
The official fuel economy numbers for the 2022 GLS 450 are 18 in the city and 24 on the highway, for a total of 20. I averaged a lower figure of about 15 miles per gallon, but to be fair I drive in sport mode a lot and didn’t focus on fuel economy.
These numbers are perhaps a little shy when compared to big luxury SUV competitors such as the BMW X7, Audi Q7, Range Rover, Infiniti QX80, Lexus LX, Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade, but they stand out against other options. almost the same. But I don’t think fuel economy will be the deciding factor for buyers in this segment.
price
With the dual woes of being a luxury car as well as being the largest Mercedes-Benz offering, you know that the GLS costs a lot.
The GLS 450 I tested cost just over $94,000. Base prices start at around $80,000. Although they are numerous, they represent the overall quality of the package offered. If you want a luxurious experience, you have to pay.
Moving to the GLS 580 brings the starting price above $100,000. If you really want to drop a few bucks, a Maybach version is available for his $135,000 and up.
The GLS’s four-year (50,000 miles) warranty is decent but unremarkable. Powertrain warranty is 4 years, 50,000 miles.
bottom line
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 is a huge, classy, tech-savvy Boss-style vehicle that can compete well with all of its larger luxury SUV competitors.
The GLS drives great, looks good and will get you noticed. It remains one of the top choices for buyers looking to purchase vehicles in this category.
Matt Myftiu can be reached via email at matt@autotechreviews.com. All of his past reviews are available online at autotechreviews.com. Follow his AutoTechReviews on Instagram @Autotechreviews.