Big & Rich
Over the past five years, the biggest trend in the automotive space has been the move toward crossovers and SUVs. Buyers are clamoring for new utes, and premium auto manufactures seem happy to appease. Rolls-Royce, Maserati, Aston Martin, and, yes, even Lamborghini are getting into the game.
Mercedes-Benz certainly has its eye on the ball. The brand’s lineup is stuffed with SUVs and crossovers, with the GLS sitting atop the hierarchy. Formerly called the GL-Class, this flagship model arrived way back in 2007, and last received a major update seven years ago. Talk about long in the tooth.
Accordingly, Mercedes-Benz has rolled out an all-new, third-generation version for the 2020 model year. Think of the GLS as Germany’s answer to the Cadillac Escalade, even though the GLS is actually manufactured in Tuscaloosa. (Yes, Alabama.) Mercedes goes so far as to describe this as a vehicle “made in America, for Americans.” And what do Americans want? Space, style, power, technology and... well, more power.
On paper, the 2020 GLS hits on all counts. Compared to the previous generation, it’s bigger in nearly every dimension. It’s not shy about being a Benz, either, with upsized slats on the front grille and an optional illuminated three-pointed star in the center. Thick chrome roof rails, a lip spoiler over the liftgate, and available 23-inch AMG alloy wheels add flourishes of elegance and performance to the aesthetic. Overall,
the visual impact delivers a real sense of size, aided by the tall ride height and huge windows all the way around.
The large-and-in-charge treatment continues on the inside. Previously available only as a seven-seater, the GLS is now also offered in a six-passenger configuration. Both arrangements use three rows of seating, but the latter eschews a middle bench for twin power-adjustable captain chairs. With the extra space between the seats, it’s easier to access the third row, which is best used by small adults and the keiki, as legroom is somewhat restricted. Still, all the seats fold down simultaneously with the push of a button, making the already-generous rear compartment space even more abundant.
Lest you forget its flagship status, the GLS cockpit is leather-lined and flush with neat features. This includes a special carwash mode, which automatically tucks in the mirrors, shuts the windows and sunroof, adjusts the five-zone climate control, and raises the ride height to make sure the undercarriage gets scrubbed. It’s the type of tech you expect from the GLS after climbing behind the wheel: It’s impossible to miss the dual, super-long, 12.3-inch video screens that encompass most of the dashboard.
One of these screens runs behind the steering wheel, allowing configurable gauge displays, from a simple speedometer and tachometer to more colorful and detailed readouts. The other screen, located in the center of the dash, is used to display the 360-degree backup camera, as well as fiddle with a multitude of settings. This includes the LED mood lighting system—build into the doors, dash, and other areas—and offers a choice between 64 different colors. It’s part spa, part arcade, and entirely too entertaining.
Keep digging into that screen’s menus and submenus, and you’ll find adjustments for the suspension stiffness, shift speeds, even the stability controls. Depending on the mix of settings, the chassis can feel plush or sporty. To that end, this SUV does offer some real performance bonafides. The GLS 450 model comes with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, producing a robust 362 horsepower. Our test model was a heavier-hitting GLS 580, which uses a twin-turbocharged V-8, supplemented by a 21-horsepower electric assist, sending a grand total of 483 ponies to all four wheels.
This combination allows for a 0-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds—just a few ticks behind the latest Nissan Z sports car, more than enough to pin you back in the seat. Even with all the power, our GLS 580 tester remained super-quiet during normal operation; the nine-speed automatic transmission was so smooth as to be undetectable. Likewise, when dialed to soft settings, the suspension absorbed Honolulu’s pothole-riddled streets with ease.
Our takeaway? The new GLS 580 doesn’t stray from the formula estab- lished by the previous second-generation version. That’s a good thing, because Mercedes-Benz’s has serious expertise in this category. Those looking for a posh ride with a large footprint (and some serious firepower under the hood) won’t be disappointed.
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS 580
PRICE: $110,995 AS TESTED ($98,800 BASE)
POWERTRAIN: 4.0-LITER TWIN-TURBO V-8, 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
OUTPUT: 483 HORSEPOWER, 516 POUNDS- FEET TORQUES
0-60 MPH: 5.2 SECONDS
ON SALE IN HAWAI‘I: NOW