Are you searching for a better way to travel with your family? Perhaps you’re daydreaming about wrapping yourself in luxury features as you wait in the car line for your kiddos or tuning out distractions while stuck in traffic on the highway with ambient lighting, massaging seats, and crystal-clear audio. If this is you, you may want to take a closer look at the Mercedes-Benz GLS, a three-row SUV that’s perfectly in-tune with your family’s needs without skimping on luxury. As you’re passing by your local Mercedes-Benz dealer, you may be intrigued by what this sophisticated hauler has to offer. So, let’s take a look at this Mercedes GLS buyer’s guide to help you see how this alluring traveler can elevate your everyday ride.
Powertrain Selection
If you’re shuttling your kids everywhere they need to be, chances are you’re looking for a vehicle that’s efficient and provides you with a ride quality that lives up to your standards. That’s where the GLS shines, with 2024 models offering an assortment of powertrains engineered to improve the quality of your experience behind the wheel. This refined machine offers a bump in power this year, with its 3.0L turbocharged six-cylinder engine now making 375 hp and its 4.0L turbocharged V8 surging forward with 510 horses in charge. Choose the latter if you want to enjoy a bit more pep in your step while you travel.
Of course, no parent has the time to be constantly visiting the gas station, which makes these powertrains ideal for your needs, seeing as they’re both assisted by hybrid technology. With its six-cylinder engine able to get an EPA-estimated 24 MPG on the highway, all those trips to and from school to dance practice, little league games, and beyond are much more enjoyable when you’re able to make it to them on time instead of being forced to stop by the gas station on the way. These spirited engines are paired with a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission that provides you with outstanding handling, impeccable response, and a ride quality that will exceed your expectations.
Interior and Exterior Design
When you’re searching for a luxury SUV, chances are Mercedes-Benz has captivated you, and with the level of refinement you’ll find in the GLS, you’ll surely amplify your family travels in all new ways. You’ll find that the latest GLS models in production feature enhancements to their interiors, with new steering wheel designs and alluring interior color palettes to maximize your potential on the road. With three spacious rows, you and your passengers can enjoy ample legroom, and with features like 64-color ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, and five-zone climate control, everyone on board will be able to truly enjoy their experience inside.
Outside, the GLS showcases some revitalizing features for 2024, including sparkling new lighting elements and a revamped front end with a revised grille design to stop passersby in their tracks. It showcases a bold, assertive presence with a boxy build that allows it to conquer anything your travels toss its way. For more adventurous families, opt for the Off-Road Engineering package and enjoy features like underbody skid plates, enhanced ground clearance, and more durable elements to take to the wilderness like a true professional.
Intuitive Tech
Having access to all of the connectivity and entertainment features your family needs is a must for busy parents. That’s why the GLS is equipped with some of the most innovative features on the market. Its digital cockpit features a widescreen display, which allows you to access everything you could possibly want on the road. A 12.3-inch touchscreen presents this to you in dazzling definition, with a digital assistant at your service to help you enhance convenience while traveling. You’ll find an abundance of tech features to intensify your ride, including standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available in-vehicle Wi-Fi capabilities, and a Burmester 3D 26-speaker audio system available to add enjoyment to the ride in all new ways.
The GLS features the MBUX software interface, which allows you to fully immerse yourself in the ride. This intuitive user experience doesn’t just offer you seamless connectivity, it also provides you with features like navigation, voice recognition, and more helpful elements to make the most of your time behind the wheel. If you want a vehicle that includes all the latest tech features the industry has to offer, the GLS is it.
Cargo and Comfort
Chances are, if you’re interested in the GLS, you tend to travel with more people and gear. Whether you regularly accommodate passengers or cargo, rest assured that the GLS can handle all of it. With seating for up to seven, the GLS makes it easy to take on an extra passenger or two, and with a standard power second row, accessing the rear of the vehicle is a breeze. Its third row is even appealing to adult passengers, which is where some of its rivals falter, as many three-row SUVs tend to be quite cramped in the back. That’s not the case for the GLS, so wherever you happen to be seated, you can be sure you’re taking advantage of maximum comfort.
The GLS can also accommodate anything you’re bringing along for the ride without a fuss. Offering up to 84.7 cu.ft. of space in its cargo hold, you’re able to load up with everything from multiple strollers to camping gear to groceries, luggage, and more—all without compromising the comfort of those on board. Ensure that your rear-seated passengers remain as cozy as possible, regardless of the weather, with a wireless tablet to control climate settings and more.
Safety and Assistance
Traveling with your family, you always want to be safe, and it helps to have a vehicle that offers you the safety and assistance features you need to be able to feel secure as you drive. From collision avoidance to towing assistance, the GLS has it all to appeal to virtually every type of driver out there. You’ll even be able to take advantage of available semi-autonomous driving capabilities to help you sit back and relax while your GLS takes control of your ride. Pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control can all be found on the menu of safety features, making the GLS completely in tune with your ride, whether you’re stopped in traffic or sailing down the highway.
The GLS Experience
One ride in the GLS and you’ll be obsessed, especially when it comes to the accommodating yet luxurious features that reside inside. From a selection of exciting and efficient powertrains to dazzling design elements inside and out to amplify the experience, the GLS wows you from the moment you step inside. Plus, with top-of-the-line tech features, you’ll be able to create the ambiance you demand, while also having access to all of the connectivity tech you need and entertainment options for your kids in order for everyone to enjoy the ride. It’s also safe and ready to handle any type of driving scenario you come across next, making it a top pick for busy families who require more out of their vehicles.
When you want to harness impeccable design, state-of-the-art innovation, and a feeling of elegance in your vehicle, the GLS will not disappoint. It’s filled with the features that today’s drivers are looking for, blended seamlessly with timeless luxury, offering drivers an experience that they won’t find in rivals. No matter which model you choose, which features intrigue you, and what engine impresses you, the GLS is one of the best choices out there when family travel is on your agenda.
