I bought my 2021 GLS63 from MB of Salem in September 2020.

MSRP $151K, 8% discount.

Custom ordered, four month wait, picked it up February 4, 2021.

The spec:

MODEL: 2021 GLS63W4 $132,100

149 Polar White

561 AMG Black Exclusive Nappa Leather w/ Diamond Stitching $250

DB0 Warmth and Comfort Package: Heated Front Armrests and Door Panel $1,100

P69 Warmth Comfort

906 Heated Armrest

907 Rear Heated Armrest

DB6 Executive Rear Seat Package Plus: Luxury Center Armrest $3,700

P08 Rear Comfort Package

P11 Rear Comfort Seat Package Plus

307 Heated/Cooled Rear Cupholders

402 Climatized Rear Seats

406 Multi-Contour Seats Rear

437 Comfort Headrests/Rear

447 MBUX Rear Tablet

452 Chauffeur Position

898 Wireless Charging Rear

DB8 ENERGIZING Comfort Package Plus: Air Balance Package $550

PBR Energizing Comfort Package Plus

P21 Air Ionization with Air Filter

DC1 AMG Night Package: Front Splitter, Front and Rear Apron Trim $750

P60 AMG Exterior Night Styling

DC5 Acoustic Comfort Package: Increased Cabin Insulation, Windshield $1,100

PAF Acoustic Comfort PKG

596 Infrared glass

B51 Tirefit

D07 Wheel Locking Bolts $150

H22 Natural Grain Brown Walnut Trim

L6J AMG Performance Steering Wheel in Nappa Leather

RPC 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Wheel, Matte Black $1,750

U19 Augmented Video $350

U70 Red Brake Calipers

226 7-Seat Option

293 Rear Side Airbags $700

297 2nd Row Sunshades $380

443 Heated Steering Wheel $250

463 HEAD UP DISPLAY (HUD) $1,100

550 Trailer Hitch $575

557 Increased Towing Capacity

811 Burmester® High-End 3D Surround Sound System $4,550

874 MAGIC VISION CONTROL $350



65 changes comparing the 2021 GLS63 vs my 2017 GLS63:

+$6,000 MSRP

4.0L hot-V V8 with EQ Boost: 612+21 HP, 600+250Nm (627+184 #ft) Torque (2017 was 577/561)

0-60 3.6 real-world (mfgr 4.1); 2017 was 4.3 (mfgr 4.5)

+1 MPG (14/18), 2.6g less fuel capacity

ISG (Integrated Starter-Generator)

3.2" longer, +2.3" wheelbase, 0.6" wider, 2.6" shorter, 44# heavier

Performance 4MATIC+ with fully variable torque distribution

AMG RIDE CONTROL+ with ADS+

SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-Speed

Dynamic Engine Mounts

Staggered tires. Available 23" wheels

+Emerald Green paint

Advanced TPMS with temperatures

AMG Track Pace Telemetry

New styling

AMG grill

Improved aerodynamics (0.35 -> 0.32)

Rear Kneeling -1.5”

Variable Exhaust System

Three-stripe Multibeam headlights

Mirror Logo Lamp

Trunk HANDS-FREE ACCESS

AMG key

Improved Driving Assistance: Extended Restart in STOP and GO Traffic, Steering Assist, Lane Changing, Speed Limit Assist, Cross-Traffic Avoidance, Route Based Speed Action, Traffic Sign Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Pre-Safe+, Pre-Safe Impulse Side, Exit Warning.

Connected trailer effects

Augmented Video for Navigation with Live Traffic

Active Parking Assist handles gas/brake

MBUX with Touchpad, Wide Screen Media Display, and four display styles

User profiles

Burmester High-End 3D Surround Sound system

HUD

Car wash mode

Steering wheel buttons/pads/wheels

2nd row tablet

9 USB-C ports

Acoustic Comfort Package

Heated/cooled/massaging/multi-contoured/chauffeur second row seats

Heated armrests, rapid heating seats

Seats trimmed in Alcantara

No Porcelain leather

More 2nd row legroom +3.4", less 1st row headroom (-1.8"), less cargo capacity (-9 cu ft)

One-touch folding of all rear seats

Air ionization and fragrance

Power 2nd-row side-window sunshades

MAGIC VISION CONTROL Wipers

AI voice recognition "Hey Mercedes"

MBUX Interior Assistant

16 ultrasonic variable proximity zones

Auto Park on ignition off

Anti-Theft Alarm System with Parking Damage Detection

64 color ambient lighting

NFC and Wireless Charging

Console grab handles



I had a long enough list of issues by 5,000 miles to take it in before the first A Service. The dealer replaced all hub caps, which had flown off while driving (I recovered one that I heard fall off). Software updates for rough idle, park control unit sensors, self-parking, rear hatch hands-free access, active curve suspension recall, and rain sensor. Had an issue with not being able to lower the left rear seat, fixed after 30 minutes of tugging at it. Service A is now due at just 6,200 miles, possibly because I drove through smoke-filled California recently.



Overall, I love it. I push it pretty hard, but often just in Comfort mode. I rarely use the paddles; the TCT 9 is a good box especially compared to the MCT. The engine runs very hot, so the fan blasts for a long time after even a leisurely drive. The suspension is great, flat in the corners, and really hard to slide. I use it to haul and tow lots of things.



Some misc likes and dislikes:

• Augmented reality nav is pretty amazing.
• I'd love the dash cam option 21U, having heard "If your vehicle has the Augmented Reality navigation, the hardware is there for the dashcam. It is starting to roll out as a standalone $200 option on 2021 vehicles. If you can get a dealership to add it via software, then you can get it." But my dealer says it's not available.
• The Burmester 3D audio system is great, but the Bentley's Naim is better still, mostly due to the seat "actuators" (shakers) and accurate soundstage.
• Ambient lighting is way cool. It takes a long time to get used to the reflections in the side windows though.
• Almost no winter or even all-season tires available. Unacceptable!
• No accessories except floor mats available, not even a cargo net.
• Even with the Acoustic Comfort Package, it's still pretty loud inside.
• Mirror logo projectors aren’t the AMG crest like it was on my 2019 S63 Cab.
• MBUX is SO much nicer than COMAND. Displays are highly configurable.
• Voice recognition is hit or miss, pretty miserable compared to Siri. I have tried a dozen times to tell it to turn off the interior sensor and it always turns off the fragrance.
• Can't set a Favorite to Car Wash Mode.
• No e-ABC.
• No wireless CarPlay.
• Wireless charging pad very particular about placement to the point it's useless. Maybe Magsafe someday.
• Tires are very sticky: Yokohama (of all things) Advan Sport 285/45-22 F 325/40-22 R.
• Tire pressure is crazy high 45 from the factory, making for a rough ride; I like 35/33.
• Traffic Light Assist is kind of useful but it's rare to have intersections so equipped.
• Emotion Start with paddle is fun when someone's walking behind the car.
• Connect and Mercedes me apps still not integrated after five years.
• Can’t turn off the notification for vehicle is unlocked, which goes to my phone every time I park it in my garage, without also turning off all other Mercedes me notifications, such as alarm activated, speed limit exceeded, curfew violation, or vehicle has been in an accident. I can't believe they suggest just turning them off altogether. It'd be trivial to add an option in
• The steering wheel leather makes a lot of noise as my hand moves over it, and is thinner than my 2017's.
• Still not a big fan of the AMG grill: plastic looking (because it is), strange offset chrome strips, and available on poser-AMG (43/45/53) models.
• Despite MB saying it's "The S-Class of SUVs", it's no S-Class, but it's getting much closer.
• I still like the 2017 exterior better than the 2021, but I think it’ll grow on me.
• No Porcelain leather.

I will probably keep it for two+ years and then buy the AMG EQS SUV when it comes out.