In the Mercedes-Benz lineup, there are levels of luxury that cater to the differing price brackets the affluent are willing to spend on mobility and as much as the buying public is downsizing to less status-oriented offerings, Mercedes affirms that the full-size premium segment still has its place. At the top of this food chain is the GLS lineup and Alex Shahini spent the day with the ‘entry-level’ GLS 450 d 4Matic around the Magaliesburg. Here are his thoughts. 
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Serving as a brisk get-together following the arrival of the facelifted GLE and GLE Coupé models a little more than a month ago, Mercedes-Benz has now ushered in the latest of its SUV flock; the GLS lineup. In an era where South Africans are prioritising affordability, fuel efficiency and interest rates, the informal discussion with Mercedes-Benz’ attachés, there is still an appetite for the finer wares of life locally. Regardless, departing from Lanseria airport, the small yet impactful convoy of four GLEs in various colours and trim levels served as an eyebrow-raising exercise for any other road users who were left in our wake wondering which high-powered individual or politician was venturing about on the country roads surrounding the Cradle of Humankind and Hartbeesport…
Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 d 4Matic Fast Facts
- Price: R2 304 700
- Engine: 3.0-litre, turbodiesel, six-cylinder
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Power: 270 kW + 15 kW
- Torque: 750 N.m
- Fuel consumption: 9.1 L/100 km
- Emissions: n/a
What are we driving and why is it significant?
Similar to what the S-Class is to the Mercedes fleet of sedans, the GLS is to its healthy lineup of SUVs. This means that it is, in size and luxury, the pinnacle for the most affluent of buyers with the ultimate expression coming in the form of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600. For the most part, the entire lineup remains largely unchanged inside and out, with subtle revisions to the styling and new additions in the technology department. The GLS 450 d which was driven is available with updated drivetrain technology which makes it the most significantly updated model.
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What does the Mercedes-Benz GLS cost?
Sharing the GLS nameplate are three iterations, with a diesel and petrol powertrain on offer for both Mercedes-Benz offerings. Throw ultra luxurious embellishments on the already plush GLS 450 d or GLS 580 and you arrive at the pinnacle GLS 600 which wears the Maybach badge and can perform its iconic and theatrical Maybach bounce.
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- Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 d – R 2 304 700
- Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 – R 2 840 600
- Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 – R 4 500 000
What are Mercedes-Benz GLS’s rivals?
Competition is limited in the R2 million + segment for a seven-seater but several automakers have their most posh, technologically advanced and upmarket offerings ready to serve as a lounge on wheels. As with almost every Mercedes-Benz in existence, there is also an answer from their German counterparts and in the case of BMW, the X7 serves this niche gap in the market. Pricing spans from just over R2 million to just under R2.5 million for the most potent of the lot; the M60i. Buyers can also look at the Japanese with the Lexus LX which is priced from R2.5 million to R3 million albeit down on seats with only 5. Range Rover’s Autobiography, priced shy of R4 million includes the same number of seats as does the more affordable Volvo XC90, which is priced well within the R2 million mark, across several iterations and powertrains. Thus, the Mercedes-Benz GLS lineup occupies the pricing segment it sits in almost exclusively.
What is new on the Mercedes-Benz GLS?
Not the most frequently spotted three-pointed star model that ventures out onto the roads, the exterior changes to most will almost go unnoticed. To the discerning eye, the exterior features a revised radiator grille which Mercedes claims is more striking than before. In addition, the four louvres are galvanised in high-quality Silver Shadow which features more integrated air inlet grilles. Moving towards the rear, new 20-inch multi-spoke wheels, which will likely become the bane of anyone who has to clean them, serve as the masterpiece of the side profile. These are finished in Himalayas grey with a high-sheen finish. The rear has remained largely unchanged save for updated lights which feature three horizontal blocks. For those venturing off-road, Mercedes-Benz has reconfigured the underside guard and set it up with 30 mm more ground clearance.
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The inside features some updates to the MBUX which include individualised driving styles and augmented navigation on the infotainment screen. To further compliment an owner who would be brave enough to venture off of the beaten path with those massive wheels, the GLS is also outfitted with the current MBUX generation of “Off-Road Mode” on the infotainment system. This incorporates telemetry like gradient, lateral inclination, compass and steering angle into a digital display which further makes venturing onto the dirt that much easier with the “transparent bonnet” function courtesy of the 360° camera.
While the one-day experience was dominated by the finest SUVs from Mercedes-Benz, there was also a Mercedes-Maybach, available in solitary GLS 600 trim that was on display and ready to demonstrate its bounce party trick. On this, the German automaker has opted for vertical chrome bars and Maybach lettering on the front end while the logo is featured on a pattern in the air inlets on the lower parts of the bumper flanks. Moving it up a notch, the GLS 600 features massive 23-inch forged wheels with hidden wheel bolts. A new standard feature is ambient lighting with animated projection of the Mercedes-Maybach pattern.
New paint finishes across the range include sodalite blue metallic and alpine grey non-metallic and the latest steering wheel generation with touch controls.
What is the Mercedes-Benz GLS like to drive?
Lanseria International Airport served as the arrival point for the Cape Town-based media. Coming from home in Johannesburg, my local driving partner managed to secure the only black GLS in the convoy of four. It is really the only appropriate colour for a model as ominous as this we both remarked. Ready to roll, I had stated I would be happy taking the second driving stint, keen to get through my sea of emails in the 50 km drive until our first stop. To the surprise of the coordinators and my codriver, I reached for the rear door handle and jumped into the second row of seats. In my mind, the experience of being in the spacious second row of seats would provide an alternative preview of how it could be used by its future owners. Similar to the front, passengers are greeted with a moving and reclining seat adjustment panel above the door handle. An independent climate control interface sits aft of the voluminous centre console which can be adjusted separately to the dual-zone climate control in the front. This is just the GLS 450 d, so other amenities available on the GLS 600 like fully reclining seats and a TV screen are absent. With some rutted roads underneath, the experience was remarkably comfortable and it carried its weight admirably.
Once our stopover had concluded, I got behind the wheel of the superb 3.0-litre turbodiesel straight-six which employs some electrification and is able to deliver a total of 285 kW and 750 N.m. Stomp on the loud pedal and a pleasant melody is dispatched from the oil burner, as is enough torque to move the leviathan forward with angst. Despite its massive size and weight, which is prevalent only in the most erratic or enthusiastic driving, the experience behind the steering wheel is as calming and comfortable as it is in the second row. The GLS 450 d has had updated technology imparted onto the drivetrain which Mercedes-Benz claims provides unmatched refinement. Braking can regenerate some charge which aids in the overall fuel consumption – a remarkable 9.1 L/100 km over the sedate, open road journey. The augmented navigation system ticked away and on open stretches, I’d dabble with the haptic controls on the updated steering wheel to get a glimpse of the updates on the MBUX. Not much has changed but a brief foray on a dirt road to our lunch destination had me experiment with the Off-Road Mode and watch all of the telemetry at work.
Verdict
With limited competition in the three-row, seven-seat plush SUV space, this updated GLS certainly ticks many of the boxes as a technologically advanced and luxurious Sandton apartment on wheels. With pricing, affluent buyers shopping in this segment also have a choice of powertrains and trims to choose from spanning from R2.3 million up to R4.5 million but don’t expect the BMW X7 and Range Rover’s Autobiography to go down without a fight. On the way home, a mint white C140 V12 S600 coupe with an elderly lady driver in Cedar Square served as a reminder that a few years ago, it was the S-Class that used to demand the most attention on the road but times have changed and the leviathan GLS now has that honour.
