The Mercedes-Benz GLS, flagship of the German brand's SUVs, is being renewed

If you’re looking for a real Mercedes-Benz, one of the luxurious ones that so faithfully represent the history of the brand, you have to go for the S-Class, but if SUVs are your thing, the German brand has the GLS for you, an SUV that also suits families thanks to its capacity to carry up to seven people. Now, after a few years on the market, the Mercedes-Benz GLS receives an update that follows the same line we saw yesterday with the GLE.

If we look first at its exterior and start with the front, we see that it now features a new bumper with refined, large side air intakes, as well as the central one at the bottom, which also receives a trim around its outline. This has also been used to modify the size of the central grille, whose inserts can vary depending on the chosen trim. What does not change across all variants is the black frame surrounding it, which serves to connect the new front headlights, now with a new light signature thanks to the stars arranged vertically.

From the side, the new Mercedes-Benz GLS remains essentially unchanged, except that the brand confirms we will have two new wheel designs in 21-inch sizes and a new 22-inch wheel design for the AMG trim, in addition to two new body colours. Moving to the rear, it receives a new design for the lower half of the tailgate, partly due to the installation of a new rear light cluster which, like the front one, incorporates the Mercedes stars as part of its light signature, joined by a central black trim that emphasises its width.

Opening the doors, we see that the major change is focused on the dashboard, and more specifically its upper part. Although the lines remain the same, Mercedes has adapted it to include the MBUX Superscreen infotainment system, which comes as standard with three 12.3-inch screens placed beneath a large glazed surface. This major change means that the air vents at the ends are now round, the central ones become two large oval-shaped units and, a little lower down, the button panel for controlling the climate system has been redesigned in a more elegant way.

Speaking of buttons, besides giving the new Mercedes-Benz GLS a steering wheel with an elegant yet sporty design, it has also been fitted with the concept of galvanised metal paddle and roller controls. On top of all this, the cabin offers greater personalisation thanks to new colours and upholstery patterns, along with a greater sense of spaciousness due to the panoramic sunroof now included as standard, and great comfort from all the electrically adjustable seats. If the two rear rows are folded down, storage capacity rises to 2,400 litres.

As for its engines, the Mercedes-Benz GLS can be equipped with both diesel and petrol powerplants, all of which use mild-hybrid technology. If you opt for petrol, the most powerful option is the GLS 580 4MATIC, which uses a V8 engine that now produces up to 537 CV, while torque also rises to 750 Nm. It is further equipped with a series of improvements that already prepare it for future emissions regulations. One step down we find the GLS 450 4MATIC, fitted with a six-cylinder inline engine whose power output remains the same but whose torque increases to 560 Nm.

Finally, for those who prefer diesel, you can choose between the GLS 350d 4MATIC and the GLS 450d 4MATIC, both with six-cylinder engines that maintain their performance while incorporating improvements over their predecessors, such as an electric catalytic converter, an aluminium block and cylinder head, steel pistons and Nanoslide cylinder liners, just as the brand does in its Formula 1 engines.