Big SUVs are big business and Mercedes knows this more than most. The fresher faced and newly named GLS sits at the top of Merc’s SUV tree and has for some time been the best-selling seven-seat SUV in North America.
However, on this side of the Atlantic bigger doesn’t always mean better and with the accomplished new Audi Q7 and our current car of the year, the Volvo XC90 to contend with, can a thorough refresh keep the GLS competitive?
Mercedes certainly thinks so, referring to the new GLS as the ‘S-Class of SUVs’. Claims don’t come much bolder, but there have been some fairly hefty changes underneath in order to help realise that claim.
There’s a new nine-speed automatic gearbox, revamped air suspension and more on-board tech, while the engines are more powerful but also cleaner. Visually there are the customary new front and rear bumpers and new S-Class inspired headlamps.
Mercedes also clearly thinks there are only two types of GLS buyer; the sensible and the power-hungry performance fans. That’s because the GLS comes only with the option of either a 255bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine or a snarling 580bhp 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8.
Of the 1,000 GLS models predicted to be sold in the UK each year, Mercedes expects around 90 per cent to be the sensible, entry-level 350d we’re testing here. At £69,100, it certainly doesn’t have an ‘entry-level’ price, especially up against the £53,835 Q7 and £50,685 XC90 both of which offer seating for seven.
Neither of those rivals are on the small side, but up against the vast GLS they look like hatchbacks in comparison. Even with all seven seats in place the big Merc still a 295-litre boot, while dropping the third row of seats ups that to 680 litres. Fold the middle row and the space increases again to 2,300 litres – neither the Audi or Volvo exceed 2,000 litres when converted to van mode.
Mercedes claims the GLS is the only ‘true seven-seat SUV’, able to accommodate seven adults and all of their associated paraphernalia. We’d have to agree that it can do the job but perhaps Volvo would have something to say about the GLS being the only one capable of doing so.
So, the GLS certainly plays the practicality card in convincing fashion, but what about being the ‘S-Class of SUVs’? Inside, it may be spacious but it lacks the opulence of the flagship saloon with which it now shares part of its name. The Audi and Volvo both outdo the Merc when it comes interior flair, too.
On the move is where the GLS begins to feel more aligned with the S-Class. As you’d expect, the GLS has been engineered for comfort rather than involvement, although you’ll still find the token ‘sport’ button on the Dynamic Select control. It feels a bit like fitting an Olympic weightlifter with running spikes but there you go.
This 2,455kg SUV is best left in comfort mode, where the air suspension helps it glide along the surface and torquey diesel engine keeps it pulling at sufficient pace. Refinement is excellent, the engine raises barely more than a whisper and the nine-speed auto is smooth and accurate with its changes, although it is keen to get up through the ratios as quickly as possible to maximise fuel economy.
Hit an incline and the GLS begins to show its sheer size with acceleration blunted as it tries to haul itself up. The rather perilous Alpine test route we tackled in the GLS didn’t highlight any issues off-road with bespoke ‘Slippery’ and ‘Off-road+’ settings in the Dynamic Select able to set the car up to tackle the challenging terrain. The latter brings the low-range gearbox and locking centre differential into play, while the air suspension raises the height of the car, too. You’ll definitely be fine negotiating Kensington high street.
Elsewhere, the GLS does pitch and roll through on-road corners but it manages its size rather well considering the bulk it has to haul around. The steering is very light, which can make you feel a bit detached at times and is slightly unnerving when in control of something this big and heavy.
The GLS always has been and always will be a car developed with the tastes of our friends across the Atlantic in mind first. It’s big, plush and very premium but even with the mid-life update, it’s unlikely to win favour with thrifty UK buyers when alternatives from rival brands can offer almost as much for considerably less cash.
- Model: Mercedes GLS 350d
- Price: £69,100
- Engine: 3.0-litre 6cyl diesel
- Power: 255bhp/620Nm
- Transmission: Nine-speed auto, four-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 7.8 seconds
- Top speed: 138mph
- Fuel economy/CO2: 37.2mpg/199gm
- On sale: Now