Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 7-pass, 4-door SUV Engine/Transmission 450 3.0L turbo DOHC 24-valve I-6 plus front elec motor/9-speed
automatic 580 4.0L twin-turbo DOHC 32-valve V-8 plus front elec motor/9-speed automatic Curb Weight (F/R Dist) 450 5,701 lb (52/48%)
580 5,966 lb (53/47%) Wheelbase 123.4 in Length x Width x Height 205.0 x 77.0 x 71.8 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy 450 177/147 kW-hr/100
miles 580 Not yet rated CO2 Emissions, Comb 450 0.94 lb/mile 580 Not yet rated
SPECS 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4Matic 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 4MaticBase Price/As tested $76,195/$98,420 $98,795/$124, 255
Power (SAE net) 362 hp @ 5,500 rpm + 21 hp (elec); 362 hp comb 483 hp @ 5,500 rpm + 21 hp (elec); 483 hp comb
Torque (SAE net) 369 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm + 184 lb-ft (elec); 369 lb-ft comb 516 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm + 184 lb-ft (elec); 516 lb-ft comb
Accel, 0-60 mph 5.8 sec 5.4 sec
Quarter-mile 14.3 sec @ 97.0 mph 14.0 sec @ 101.7 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 113 ft 122 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.87 g (avg) 0.83 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 26.4 sec @ 0.70 g (avg) 26.8 sec @ 0.70 g (avg)
EPA City/Hwy/Comb 19/23/21 mpg Not yet rated
by great sound effects,” de
Nysschen said. “Disappointingly,
gearshifts are very discernible
when the performance potential
of the engine is explored.”
The judges had positive
comments about E-ABC. “It
handles beautifully, including the
fantastic Curves mode, which
keeps the body completely
flat through corners,” Rechtin
said. “It’s almost otherworldly
compared to the huge lean from
other big vehicles.”
But after we left the Honda
proving ground and drove on
public streets, the suspension
showed some weaknesses. When
driving over broken pavement,
some judges felt more vibrations
in the cabin than in the Subaru
Outback and were left wondering
where the benefit and value were
in such a fancy suspension—a
$6,500 option, at that.
“I’m shocked that both the
Outback and Aviator rode nicer
than the GLS,” Seabaugh said. “I
shouldn’t feel anything beneath
me in the ‘S-Class of SUVs,’ yet
the Mercedes still gets upset over
high-frequency impacts.”
Design wise, the GLS continues
to be recognized as the biggestA
two-time SUV of the
Year champion, the 2020
Mercedes-Benz GLS came
back this year with more space,
technology, and power. And when
we say technology, we’re talking
about hardware and software
that can even help the suspen-
sion system.
Mercedes’ flagship SUV arrived
with a fancy setup known as
E-Active Body Control (E-ABC),
which uses cameras to read the
road ahead to adjust the spring
and damping rates and provide
a smoother ride with the help of
a 48-volt system and individual
hydraulic pumps. And with a new
design language that’s setting
the pace for Mercedes’ new SUVs,
the GLS brings definite presence
to the road.
For our tests, we sampled
the two powertrains on offer: a
3.0-liter turbo inline-six and a
4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8. Both
engines come with a nine-speed
automatic and are mated to
an electric motor that acts as a
mild hybrid system to deliver a
combined 362 hp for the six-
cylinder and 483 hp for the V-8.
“Under full throttle, it acceler-
ates purposefully, accompanied
Benz, but Mercedes was able
to include modern lines without
having to change its shape much.
To Tom Gale, Mercedes’ designers
did a great job showing an evolu-
tion of the iconic design: “Hats off
to Mercedes for finding a way to
advance its brand offering with
recognizable Mercedes-Benz
cues and still come off appearing
fresh and new. I especially liked
the soft surface without resorting
to unnecessary lines, brightwork,
or graphics. Everything fits—the
package, stance, wheel design,
and lamps.”
Inside, the usual Mercedes
elegance shines with plush
massaging leather seats and a
stylish mix of leather, wood, and
chrome. However, the MBUX info-
tainment system drew hectoring
for its clumsy user interface, and
the radial-finned climate control
vents “look cool but don’t cool,”
Priddle chided in the unfamiliar
110-degree desert heat.
There’s enough space for
seven people, but the third row
can feel a bit cramped. Although
the second row can slide forward
and back with the push of a
button to help third-row access,
its progress is glacial. Parentsrushing to get their kids in the
Merc when it’s raining will not be
happy with this feature.
Overall, the GLS made a good
impression on our judges, but it
fell short on the value proposition.
It was hard to see what you get
for the money, and with a starting
price of more than $75,000 for
the GLS 450 (and nearly $125K as
tested for the GLS 580), Mercedes’
top SUV is quite expensive for
what you get.
Miguel CortinaGLS 580PRO Great handling • Two powerful engines • Opulent interior CON E-ABC still needs work • Infuriating infotainment system • Slow access to third row
SUVOTY I Finalists
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS
GLS 450JANUARY 2020 MOTORTREND.COM 33