2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4Matic test drive review

Mercedes-Benz is well known for producing some of the finest cars available on the market. You just know you’ll be treated to a refined driving experience every time you get behind the wheel. But as a wise man once said, “With great power comes extremely high expectations that you should live up to if you’re going to charge $90,000.”

KSL Cars spent a week with the refreshed 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, and while we were certainly impressed with its fine-tuned performance, we found a few features to be lacking. They may not be deal breakers for shoppers in the high-end luxury market, but they do make you question the price tag. Shop 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS models.

Price and value 

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV comes in two trims with an MSRP range of $87,000 for the base-level 450 and $112,000 for the 580. Some of the major differences between the two trim levels are noted below:

• GLS 450: $87,000  See listings

3.0-liter 6-cylinder turbo engine

375 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

• GLS 580: $112,000  See listings

4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine

510 horsepower, 538 pound-feet of torque

Leather seats

The high-performance Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63 and the Maybach GLS 600 are also available. Learn more about them at mbusa.com.

Our GLS 450 tester came with the optional MB-Tex upper dash and door trim, a heated steering wheel, the acoustic comfort package and the AMG Line package for a grand total of $92,110. Normally, we’d say that Mercedes can get away with charging a premium because the result is worth it. But this was one rare case where we were scratching our heads. There are a few things that need tweaking if buyers are expected to pay that much. Shop 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS models.

Performance 

If there’s something that’s fairly impossible to criticize about this car, it’s the way it drives. Smooth and more powerful than ever thanks to a boosted engine, the GLS is a comfortable one to handle on the road.

Engine and drivetrain

Our GLS 450 tester came with a 3.0-liter inline-6 turbo engine that made 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It also has 9-speed automatic transmission, 4Matic all-wheel drive and Airmatic air suspension, giving you that strong but restrained feeling on the road.

The GLS also has the benefit of having a mild hybrid system, which means that it has a small electric motor to accompany the gas engine. Mercedes says that this little bit of electrification improves both fuel economy and performance.

Fuel economy 

Fuel economy is OK enough for a full-size SUV, but not something that stands out. The GLS is estimated at 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, though we averaged a bit less than that. 

Acceleration and handling 

The Mercedes-Benz website states that the GLS 450’s acceleration from 0-60 mph is 5.8 seconds, but we never tested that claim. But we can attest to the fact that it was pretty zippy off the line.

Braking

There were a few times when the automatic braking system felt a tad too sensitive for our liking, but it definitely proved that the car’s priority is to keep us safe. Shop 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS models.

Interior comfort and convenience

In terms of beauty, the interior of the GLS 450 is 10/10. From the moment you sit in those beige leather seats, you know you’re riding in luxury. However, there are a few things to be aware of before you jump into this relationship.

Seats

We have a lot to say when it comes to the seats in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4Matic. In the past, we’ve been critical of luxury cars that don’t offer anything beyond heated and ventilated front seats, because it feels like that should be a given in the second row at a certain price point. That’s one dock against the GLS 450 4Matic — but we can live without it. 

Our biggest complaint is that the third row is ridiculously difficult to access. Popping the second row captain’s chairs forward so we can get to the third row should feel like seconds. In the GLS? It feels like years. 

First of all, you have to press a button that moves the second row captain’s chair forward at what feels like a snail’s pace — and it weirdly causes the front passenger seat to move as well. Also, the driver’s side of the second row has no such button, so your only option is to enter on the passenger side or crawl over the second-row passengers to slip through the middle.

And once you get there, don’t expect too much leg room. At 5-foot-9, my knees were pressed up against the second row even when it was pushed all the way forward. On the positive side, the seats were comfortable and the beige leather was gorgeous. If Mercedes could make third row access easier, we’d be sold.

Climate control

Four-zone automatic climate control is a definite blessing, no matter the outside temperature. The only passengers who might not benefit as much are the two in the very back because there are no vents in the third row. For that, you’ll have to opt for the five-zone climate control, which is an additional $500.

Cargo space and cabin storage

When it comes to cargo space, the GLS sits somewhere in the middle of the full-size SUV pack. With all seats up, you get 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space. With the third row down, that increases to 48.7 cubic feet, and with all seats down you get 84.7.

One of the strangest things you’ll notice on the new GLS is the second row cup holders. Sitting in between the driver’s seat and front passenger seat, there are two cup holders. One is your average-sized cupholder but the other one is much smaller, presumably for a thinner bottle. If you’re a second-row passenger, you’ll have to fight your co-pilot for access to the bigger, more accommodating cupholder. Good luck.

Infotainment system 

Equipped with the Mercedes-Benz User Experiences software, the GLS stands ready to attend to your every driving need via the “Hey, Mercedes” technology. That’s good, because the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel are a bit on the small side and less easy to use than expected. A practiced hand may adapt to it in time, but we still struggled even after a week of driving it. 

The GLS has a 12.3-inch digital touch screen and gauge display, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, navigation, Wi-Fi and a 13-speaker Burmester sound system. Shop 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS models.

Exterior appearance and functionality 

The 2024 stylish refresh gives the GLS a slightly sharper look with a new grille, updated taillights and fresh colors to choose from. According to Mercedes-Benz, the latest GLS features “flowing contours that please the wind as much as the eye.”

Wheels

Our GLS 450 tester came with all-season tires wrapped around 21-inch AMG twin five-spoke wheels, which come in the optional AMG Line package. They looked smart and felt good on the road.

Lights and turn signals

The GLS 450 has LED daytime running lights, full LED headlamps and even multicolor ambient lighting on the interior. All lights and turn signals functioned as expected and provided ample visibility in the dark. Even the ambient interior lights were a helpful feature.

Front and rear windshield 

Visibility out the front and sides was great in the GLS, and even the rear windshield view was pretty good.

Cameras and side mirrors

The camera system Mercedes-Benz used feels hard to beat as the Surround View provided clear images from virtually any angle. Shop 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS models.

Safety 

Mercedes-Benz clearly wants to keep you safe on the road by including the following standard features on the GLS 450:

• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection

• Crosswind assist

• Adaptive high beam assist

• Active blind spot assist

• Active lane keeping assist

• Active distance assist

For a full list of safety features, click here.

Awards and ratings 

At the time of this writing, neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have given a safety rating to the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Final impression 

This may seem like a harsh take on the otherwise beautiful, luxurious and capable 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4Matic. But as a big fan of Mercedes-Benz, we expect nothing but the best from them. We loved driving the GLS — it felt like gliding on ice skates. Simply being inside the car was almost a spa-like experience because it’s so comfortable and beautifully designed. But there were enough missing features and inconveniences to make us question whether or not this car is worth $92,000.

FAQs

What’s new for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS?

For 2024, the GLS mostly gets a cosmetic refresh and a power boost to the engine. A few key differences between this and the 2023 model are a new grille, new LED tail lights, a new steering wheel and more interior and exterior color options. The 580 model now also comes with an Off-Road Engineering package, which provides underbody protection and more ground clearance.

What’s the difference between the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 and the GLS 580? 

The GLS 450 has a 3.0-liter inline-6 turbo engine while the GLS 580 has a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, which means the latter has more horsepower (510 instead of 375) and more torque (538 pound-feet compared to 369). This also means you’ll pay more for the 580. It starts at $112,000 compared to $87,000 for the 450.

Is there an electric version of the GLS?

With most car manufacturers making the switch to electric vehicles in the coming years, it’s not unlikely that an electric GLS is on its way. In the meantime, Mercedes-Benz provides the EQS 450 4Matic and EQS 580 4Matic among other all-electric options.

If this review has piqued your curiosity, why not check out a 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 for yourself and come to your own conclusions? See available listings on KSL Cars today.

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.