Mercedes GLS, The Big Man Of The Family
Of the extensive and varied range that the German manufacturer has today , there is a product that, as the market is, its existence is meaningless. The Mercedes GLS is a car designed for a bygone time, a time that is behind us after the deep crisis of the late 2000s.
With its arrival, it becomes the largest SUV of the star’s signature, and apparently in these parts it may have its days numbered. However, it is a product that fits perfectly with the preferences of customers in other markets.
Exterior design
Within the limitations of a body of this type – and its size – the designers have managed so that there is no wrongly placed and disproportionate element. Measuring 5 130 mm long, 1,934 mm wide and 1,850 mm high, it would be included in the F segment.
The front, purely Mercedes, welcomes us with a huge grill and headlights with Full LED technology , while the bumper borrows the shapes of its little brother, the GLE. The side stands out for how marked its lines are, creating several volumes in which the wheel arches attract attention, much more marked than the brand is used to.
However, the current Mercedes GLS is a redesign of a 2013 model, so its rear, although updated with new drivers, maintains that air similar to that of the E-Class Estate of the past generation. In addition, since the end of 2017 the GLS Grand Edition has been available , which for 2,300 euros includes an exclusive set of wheels and various emblems.
Interior design
If the rear reminds us of the previous E-Class, the cabin is a blatant reference to the GLE, so it suffers from the same problems as this. It’s a no-man’s-land style, because it ‘s an old design with added state-of-the-art components, so it’s not old anymore, but it’s not fresh and novel either. A shame.
Be that as it may, it presents one of the most spacious interiors on the market, with up to seven seats – real – and a huge 680-liter boot expandable to 2300 liters with all seats folded down. Who needs the V-Class!
The Grand Edition version is also available in this area , which after an outlay of 5,900 euros includes nappa leather with a diamond pattern for the seats, a dashboard also lined in nappa leather , velvet carpets and new interior lighting.
V6 and V8 engines
- GLS 350d : This diesel mounts a 3.0 V6 engine and a power of 258 CV and 620 Nm of torque with which it reaches 100 km / h in 7.8 seconds and a peak of 222 km / h; approving a consumption of 7.7 l / 100 km and CO2 emissions of 190 g / km.
- GLS 400: As an intermediate level, this gasoline also makes use of a 3.0 V6 that in this case delivers 333 hp of power and 480 Nm of torque, with which it reaches 100 km / in 6.6 seconds and a peak of 240 km / h; approving a consumption of 8.9 l / 100 km and CO2 emissions of 206 g / km.
- GLS 500: The top of the range is satisfied with a V8 4.6 that develops 455 CV of power and 700 Nm of torque, and is capable of reaching 100 km / h in 5.3 seconds and a peak of 250 km / h; approving a consumption of 10.9 l / 100 k with CO2 emissions of 255 g / km.
Price
Prices for this huge SUV start at 89,750 euros for the diesel version, while in the case of gasoline the amount increases to 94,200 euros for the GLS 400 and 116,025 euros for the GLS 500. There is no doubt that a product of this caliber is relatively expensive, no matter how much it offers us.
What is clear is that it is a product that in the current Mercedes offensive, makes no sense whatsoever, at least in Europe, where the SUV fever has led brands to develop smaller and smaller vehicles of this type. However, in markets such as the American, the Russian and the Arabic it is simply a ‘ best-seller’ .
Mercedes GLS data
- 5 doors
- 7 seats
- Trunk: 680 liters.
- 4MATIC all-wheel drive
- V6 and V8 engines with powers from 258 hp to 455 hp
- Consumption and emissions: from 7.7 l / 100 km and 190 g / km of CO2
- 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission
- Price: from 89 750 euros
