Trying to decide between 7 and 6 seat option, not really needing the extra seating but do need as flat as possible cargo space. Looks like the 6 seat option does not fold as flat as the 7, is this true or not really significant? Also, those with 7 or 6 seats, any regrets not getting one or the other?

 

Get the 6- seater. Here is why:

- Individual captain's chairs are VERY COMFORTABLE. Night and day difference compared to bench. I tried both and owned both.
- They can be reclined individually; important if one passenger wants to be upright and the other wants to sleep
- They can be pushed back individually; (see second point)
- The captain chair feels like a front passenger seat. Very comfortable
- Middle space allows a lot easier access to third row for people and stuff
- Space in middle can fit a LOT of stuff (i.e. backpacks, coolers, groceries, etc.)
- Puppy, or large dog can stand in center space
- Provides more storage space when seats are stowed (2nd and 3rd rows), than bench row because you have that gap in the center that can take more stuff

It was a non-negotiable option for me. I refuse to consider a 2nd row bench (which I have in my other SUV)
My friend has a GLS with the bench and he regrets not getting the Captains chairs. His kids have not forgiven him (lol)

 

I think you're right the captains chairs won't fold as flat as the bench. I have 7 seat and the seats can fold forward even with a carseat in them so accessing 3rd row is not an issue.

The left and right side can move individually and the center is attached to one side (I forget which). I have the executive package so I'm not sure if that's standard or not.

 

I think a lot of it comes down to if you regularly drive with more than 4 people while moving stuff around. 2nd row seats are much better for sitting in than the 3rd row. If you have to drive with 5 people in the car with moderate frequency, you lose significant trunk space with the captain chairs since one of the 3rd row seats needs to be up.

for an Escalade esv, I definitely say captain chairs but for gls, it really depends on if 4 is your regular situation.

in my gls63, 2nd row left and right seats can recline separately. The middle seat is attached to one of the sides thus cannot recline independently.

 

I love the 6-seater option. The dog likes to park himself between the second row seats, instead of his intended spot in the third row.

 

My kids were fine riding the middle seat of the bench 2nd row until they were around 12 years old. After that age no one wanted to seat in the center row. And this was for an E-Klass, which had a more "comfy" middle seat than the GLS.

 

It's a good thing that the GLS offers the choice. Many people love the captain's chairs, but I absolutely wanted the rear bench. I have two kids, but I like the ability to have a 5th person without having to use the third row.

I think only the right seat folds forward for third row access with the captain's chairs. That may be incorrect and might not be an issue, but could be important for some owners.

 

I came from a 6 seater (Toyota Highlander). We did not want that option again and have zero regrets with going with the 7 on the GLS. We have two kids as well.

We didn’t want the minivan feel again, but a little of a sedan feel when looking back there.

Had MB copied Toyota and offered a piece that could be inserted between the captain chairs to hold things or expand to a 7 seater when needed, then we might’ve gone the 6 seater route. But no such option was available, which I totally don’t understand on these 6 seater SUV’s. What’s so hard about designing a plastic item tray that could be inserted between the two seats to hold drinks, snacks, etc?

to us, the 7 seater just felt more complete to us. Have no regrets and would go that route again. If we ever get a minivan, then we’ll do the 6.

 

The seven seat one has more seat controls in the third row. I would also pick it so I could have 5 in the car and still have a big trunk. 6 just isn’t bigger enough vs 5 (GLE) in my opinion.

 

If you dont nedd seven seats by all means go for the six.

 

I prefer the 7 seat option, we never use the 3rd row. The 7 seat option; closes the cargo area off. The front console is shorter for more legroom because cupholders are in the pull down armrest/storage and the second row seats still recline individually even without the executive package. The cupholders are closer to the passengers so small children could use them and they may not be able to reach the console cupholders in the 6 seat config. The 6 seat option has a longer console for rear cupholders and the space between the second row captain chairs is very small and only suited for small children to get through. The Easy Entry feature is only power operated on the right side captain chair.

 

The comments above reflect that it is a personal decision based on what you need. While I don't have a GLS (I'm following the forum as I am considering the vehicle) my last two MDX Advance models have had captains chairs and I can vouch for the comfort/room comments for captains chairs. We rarely have more than four people in the car so don't need the additional seat. Rather than an open space, the MDX has had a large console similar to the front seats with cup holders between the seats so there is much more storage. The new 2022 MDX has a nice feature in that the middle seat of the second row can be folded down for arm rest/cup-holders, or easily removed leaving captains chairs so there is an open space like the GLS. I have not seen another suv with this feature, but seems the best of both worlds.

 

i'm 45yo, 6' tall and 210lbs and had very little issue getting to the 3rd row between the captain chairs. if anything, i find "easy entry" to be just as if not more difficult.

i'll prob be closer to 50yo by the time that "easy entry" feature is done sliding into/out of position. i would prob prefer a quicker manual actuator that just pops the seat up over the electrice one.

 

The reason I went with 7 seater is because I don't usually need more than 4 and didn't think I'd like the gap when the back deck is always down and didn't want things in the rear deck to slide thru.

But if you get executive package, the middle seat is more cramped because of the way the console is larger - so keep that in mind. I'm not sure how viable 5 adults with the Executive package is given that limation.

 

In the 7 seat configuration, the center back piece can be folded forward as well to open up and provide a divider between the two seats. Our kids are still young, and we’ve folded that center seat back down before and placed a plastic tray with grippy feet on the bottom there to hold drinks and kid stuff on long drives. It works well.

 

Just came back from the dealer and tried both the 7 and 6 seat configuration. The 6 did not seem to me that much more comfortable than the 7 and even less elbow room than the 7 without someone in the middle. The loss of the fold down middle tray for the 6 was noticeable and I know my two teens would not like who gets the smaller cup holder. Agree, if the 6 had a movable console that would be the best compromise. Personal preference for sure, and kudos to Mercedes however in giving us a no cost option, most charge extra (here's looking at you Telsa and BMW).

 

Canadians have to pay $700 for the 6 seat option,, Mercedes is not consistent on option prices/packages globally. My second row (7 seater without the premium rear seating package) has fold down middle "tray" in the armrest and 2 cupholders that pop out.

 

Ford Explorers (which I have) and Ford Expeditions now come standard with the 2nd row Captain chairs.
If you wanted a bench row, you would have to pay more.

One thing about the Ford bench row is that the left and right (wider side) have independent reclines and push backs.

 

The 7 seat bench also has individual recline and slide for the left seat and the right/middle seat.

 

My wife and I both have our parents close by, so we got the captain’s chairs for their comfort (they are much better than the bench, imo). And our 7yo and 10yo can quickly and easily climb in back when grandparents are on board. If I had to rely even semi-frequently on the SLOW seat opener to access the 3rd row behind the bench seat, I would not have bought the gls. Also good for kids to put stuff between seats on long car ride. That said, we do sort of miss the fold down center console on the bench (though not as much as I thought - see my separate post on door cup holders).

 

Anyone fit 3 boosters across the bench in the 7 seater?