2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS Review & First Drive ― Redesigned Luxury SUV

The new 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS has a lot of features that make it great for road trips and the occasional off-road adventure. Most importantly, you’ll be able to bring six of your full-size adult friends with you on your journey. Follow along as we take the GLS over the highway and off-road and discover what makes it unique in the SUV segment.

First and foremost, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS is a quiet, comfortable and roomy full-size three-row SUV. But it features the latest technology to make it a cut above the rest. Both of its available engine choices come with 48-volt mild hybrid technology that gives the GLS more punch off the line and a smooth stop-start experience. All-wheel drive is also standard, and the system works well over slick surfaces on the road and off the road over dirt. Finally, the high level of technology gives the GLS a space-age feel and will surely impress your passengers.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS Review

The Mercedes-Benz GLS represents a new generation for Benz's biggest luxury hauler. As more and more luxury makers are treading into the deeper waters of SUVs, it made sense for Mercedes to bring out a new interpretation of a fairly traditional platform.

The redesigned GLS' chassis is longer and the body more aerodynamic, which translates into more room and a quieter, more efficient ride. The two available engines have also been updated with Mercedes' latest EQ Boost technology, which uses a beefy 48-volt starter-generator to smooth out the auto stop-start process, provide a bit of torque at low speeds, and allow the engine to shut off sooner and coast.

The GLS 450 comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that produces 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, while the GLS 580 comes with a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque (which, yes, is more than the BMW X7). The starter-generator from the EQ Boost system can contribute up to 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque as needed.

Both variants feature Mercedes' standard 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and nine-speed automatic transmission, though an optional low-range transfer case is available on the GLS 580.

The GLS comes standard as a seven-seater, with a 60/40-split folding second row and two-seat bench for the third row. The third row can fold down flush, while the second-row seatbacks fold forward to present a flat load floor. A six-seat option is available, which swaps out the second-row bench for two captain's chairs. Regardless of configuration, both rear rows can be stowed or deployed at the touch of a button.

The climate control options are equally as vast. A three-zone automatic system is standard, but you can option up to four zones or even five zones. The five-zone system even adds an extra A/C compressor and heating element to feed the roof-mounted vents in the third row.

Read more about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS: https://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz/gls-class/2020/

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