The Mercedes Benz GLS is one of the range-topping SUVs in the brand’s line-up not only in Malaysia but all around the world. 

Positioned below the flagship G-Wagon, the GLS is commonly referred to as an SUV equivalent of the S-Class sedan.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia offers the SUV in only one variant, the GLS 450 4Matic with a price tag of RM 899,888 on-the-road without insurance, with a four-year/unlimited-mileage warranty.

The measurements are 5,207 mm long, 1,956 mm wide, 1,823 mm tall and with a wheelbase spanning 3,135 mm.

The Mercedes Benz GLS 450 4Matic exudes a sleek, uber luxury, elegance and sophisticated design overall. 

The smooth edges and creases that make up the front of the vehicle, which is also adorned by the large, upright and octagonal-shaped grille makes the body pop with style.

The grille features two horizontal chrome-jewelled slats in it with a large Mercedes Benz logo in between. Plus, the front bumper inserts and lower air dam also get the dark chrome treatment.

The back layout matches the front with a profile that looks clean, simple and of course luxury looking. Shaped with smooth contours, it can be seen with a much-rounded windscreen and D-pillar. 

Just like the front, it gets additional chrome touches in the form of a thin strip between the tail lamps on the boot lid, around the exhaust tips and skid plate on the rear bumper.

It gets a set of Multibeam LED headlamps that contain 112 diodes within each cluster and sleek inverted L-shaped daytime running LEDs on the upper edges. The nicely rounded yet angular looking shape complements the overall body design well.

At the back, the tail lamps get full LED combination units. Unlike the front, the two-part graphic style is enclosed in a slim pointed looking wraparound housing.

The side mirrors are power adjusted and folded with LED turn indicators and blind spot indicators.

It rides on a set of 22-inch silver finished AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels.

The Mercedes Benz GLS 450 4Matic’s dashboard gets a driver-oriented layout with a more modern and sleeker looking design. The material quality is high and gives an overall premium feel.

Notably, it comes with the Exclusive trim, which features Artico man-made leather dash, a Nappa leather steering wheel and high-gloss anthracite lime wood trim for a finishing touch.

It is equipped with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system that features one side of the twin 12.3-inch LCD, high resolution instrument cluster.

The seats are finished in light brown and black full leather upholstery. The seven-seater gets power adjustable seats with a memory function for the front.

It offers a very generous head, shoulder and legroom thus front and rear occupants get ample space. The space is very spacious and luxurious overall especially in the back, considering the robust body design that it has.

It has generously equipped storage areas including large sized door pockets, side door armrest pocket, a couple of storage areas in the centre console including a cavern storage space in the centre console armrest and a large-sized glove box.

There are six cup holders with two located in the front, 2 in the second-row and 2 in the third-row side panels. As for bottle holders, it gets 4 with two in the front door side panels and two more in the second-row door panels.

It comes with one 12V power socket in the front and nine USB ports located all over the interior cabin.

The boot space is very spacious and significantly flexible. With the second and third seat rows folded down, it offers a capacity of up to 2,400 litres.

The Mercedes Benz GLS 450 4Matic features Mercedes-Benz’s Driving Assistance Package: Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Steering Assist, Active Braking Assist with Cross-Traffic Function, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and PRE-SAFE PLUS. Mercedes-Benz’s Magic Vision Control, Adaptive High-beam Assist Plus, Multibeam LED and Parking Package with 360-degree camera, Attention Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP).

Passive safety includes nine airbags, exit warnings, seat belt anchors, reminders and pre-tensioners, front and rear parking aid, reverse parking camera, 360-degree camera, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), ISOFIX, immobilizer and security alarm.

It comes with Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system that features one side of the twin 12.3-inch LCD high-resolution touchscreen infotainment. It supports the “Hey Mercedes” voice command, a wireless charger for devices, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a standard run of media playback options and Mercedes me connected services.

Then, it also comes with the MBUX rear-seat entertainment system that includes two 11.6-inch touchscreen fitted to the back of the front seats, with two wireless headsets. Each screen displays the content selected by the individual user, such as movies, music, web browsing, or from their own devices.

Features a setup of the Burmester high-end 3D surround sound system with 26 speakers and a system output of 1,610-W.

The Mercedes Benz GLS 450 4Matic is powered by a M256 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six that makes 367 PS (362 hp) at 5,500 to 6,100 rpm and 500 Nm of torque at 1,600 to 4,500 rpm.

It is also mated with a 48-volt mild hybrid system consisting of a starter-alternator, which provides a further 22 PS (21 hp) and 250 Nm over short periods via an EQ Boost function.

Said mills churn with a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission.

Power is sent to all four wheels via the brand’s 4Matic all-wheel drive system.

It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds while hitting a top speed of 246 km

The combined fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are rated as low as 9-litre for every 100 km (11.1 km/l) and 206 g/km respectively.

The Mercedes Benz GLS 450 4Matic comes with Keyless-Go with engine push-start button, Easy-Pack tailgate with hands-free access, multi-function and electrically adjustable telescopic steering wheel functions, powered seats with memory function for those at the front, Easy-Entry function, infotainment touch controls on the steering wheel, touchpad on the centre console, wireless charger, an ambient lighting system, powered sun blinds for the rear doors, powered panoramic sunroof, Thermotronic four-zone climate control, intelligent high beam assist, rain sensing windscreen wipers, 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors.

There are two air vents located in the second-row and two more in the third-row.

The seats are very comfortable and the ride is smooth, especially with the Airmatic air suspension system and Adaptive Damping System Plus (ADS Plus).

Notably, it is very relaxing over long journeys with the amount of cabin space it offers along with the seating configurations and technology systems.

Overall good sound insulation. It offers a more serene and refined in-cabin environment with all the NVH aspects accounted for.