GLS Class (X167) Produced 2020 to present

Spotted a 2027 or 28 x167 last weekend

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Old Dec 16, 2025 | 08:32 AM
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Spotted a 2027 or 28 x167 last weekend

Not the best photo, I apologize but it was colder than hell. Anyway, I spotted a future model x167 in the wild last weekend and noticed that it had an updated center screen and steering wheel. It also appears that the console on the roof between the two visors has been updated too. Unfortunately the rest of the interior and the exterior as well remained unchanged which is pretty disappointing since it's been so long since this vehicle has received any substantial refresh.

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Old Dec 16, 2025 | 08:51 AM
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BMW appears to be hedging their bets by simultaneously supporting their CLAR (ICE or EV) and Neue Klasse (EV only) platforms. We know Mercedes has the money so why haven't they done something similar?
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Old Dec 16, 2025 | 09:02 AM
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I don’t know man but it’s a huge bummer. The only thing I can think of is that they are done with the 167 and there will be no full refresh just an entirely new model. But assuming this is a 2027 that’s 7 years with only minor exterior and interior changes.
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Old Dec 16, 2025 | 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by mike7513
I don’t know man but it’s a huge bummer. The only thing I can think of is that they are done with the 167 and there will be no full refresh just an entirely new model. But assuming this is a 2027 that’s 7 years with only minor exterior and interior changes.
I'm sure the Pandemic had something to do with it but other companies have pivoted...
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Old Dec 16, 2025 | 09:48 AM
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We were thinking that they want to extend this gen with a second facelift back when they were big on electrifying everything by 2030. so a second facelift would keep it good till 2030 but since people are backing down on EVs and MB restarted ICE development, not sure what they are trying to do with this.
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Old Dec 16, 2025 | 11:32 AM
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I'm sure the pandemic came into play a little bit but this does nothing to move the needle for me in terms of purchasing a newer model than my 2022. And 10 years is far too long to remain competitive (in the US at least) with only doing minor updates to the facia and the lighting on the exterior and some minor trim and infotainment upgrades on the inside. If this is the best they can come up with for a second and final refresh of the x167 I think they need a shake-up in the product development group.

Alternatively, because I have lived in this area so long and see pre-production vehicles from all mfg's daily, this could also be simply a mule that is being used to test these new interior components on a 24 or 25 and there are other exterior refreshed mules out there I haven't seen yet. But I personally don't think that is the case. We shall see.
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Old Dec 16, 2025 | 11:36 AM
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To me the fact that they haven't fundamentally changed the interior is a good thing. Look at those beautiful physical switches it still has.
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Old Dec 16, 2025 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by SW20S
To me the fact that they haven't fundamentally changed the interior is a good thing. Look at those beautiful physical switches it still has.
I agree, much better than putting the capacitive touch stuff in.
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Old Dec 16, 2025 | 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by mike7513
I'm sure the pandemic came into play a little bit but this does nothing to move the needle for me in terms of purchasing a newer model than my 2022. And 10 years is far too long to remain competitive (in the US at least) with only doing minor updates to the facia and the lighting on the exterior and some minor trim and infotainment upgrades on the inside. If this is the best they can come up with for a second and final refresh of the x167 I think they need a shake-up in the product development group.

Alternatively, because I have lived in this area so long and see pre-production vehicles from all mfg's daily, this could also be simply a mule that is being used to test these new interior components on a 24 or 25 and there are other exterior refreshed mules out there I haven't seen yet. But I personally don't think that is the case. We shall see.
OP, I am quite opposite and well there are no right or wrong answers it is a personal preference thing but to me I am glad MB kept the physical switches and knobs, instead of putting those capacitive touch panels on the doors. I really appreciate physical controls for the climate.
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Old Dec 16, 2025 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by mike7513
I don’t know man but it’s a huge bummer. The only thing I can think of is that they are done with the 167 and there will be no full refresh just an entirely new model. But assuming this is a 2027 that’s 7 years with only minor exterior and interior changes.
No, but I believe there’s simply too much going on at MBenz, and they’re struggling to focus on new generations for all their models. The GLS X167 is a highly successful generation, and there’s nothing wrong with refreshing it for the second or third time now. I genuinely think they stretched themselves too thin by concentrating on separate electric vehicle and ICE platforms for some of their models. Yet it looks like they have not mastered either options recently.
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Old Dec 16, 2025 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
I agree, much better than putting the capacitive touch stuff in.
I am actually very surprised those buttons have survived a second facelift.
I agree with all the above too.

I also think that Mercedes is trying to bring physical buttons back where it makes sense in some of their models. I saw that in the new facelift S class two.

Last edited by S_W222; Dec 16, 2025 at 09:25 PM.
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Old Dec 16, 2025 | 10:12 PM
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Was the check engine light on?
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Old Dec 16, 2025 | 11:36 PM
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Let’s put it this way. I’ll take your wonderful buttons and you can have my capacitive nonsense lol
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Old Dec 17, 2025 | 05:40 AM
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Originally Posted by S_W222
I am actually very surprised those buttons have survived a second facelift.
I agree with all the above too.

I also think that Mercedes is trying to bring physical buttons back where it makes sense in some of their models. I saw that in the new facelift S class two.
Originally Posted by SW20S
Let’s put it this way. I’ll take your wonderful buttons and you can have my capacitive nonsense lol
Exactly : ) as evident with the new CLA and GLC EV, etc.

Sign me up : ) ill take the physical buttons too

Last edited by W205C43PFL; Dec 17, 2025 at 05:41 AM.
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Old Dec 17, 2025 | 06:37 AM
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Nice picture OP
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Old Dec 18, 2025 | 11:58 AM
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Some of the past. ’13 CTS V Wagon, ‘15 GL550. ‘17 GLS550. Current: ‘20 GLE580.
The Updated GLS will have a full glass screen across the dash as seen in other Mercedes updates as well as in other GLS spy photos.
the air vents in center will be of 2 vs the old 4


Last edited by Scorpio550; Dec 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM.
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Old Dec 18, 2025 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Scorpio550
The Updated GLS will have a full glass screen across the dash as seen in other Mercedes updates as well as in other GLS spy photos.
the air vents in center will be of 2 vs the old 4
This change won't age well for the new GLS for hot climate customers. If you need a preview, you can probably hit nearly any newer X7 thread and read the complaints about the AC!
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Old Dec 18, 2025 | 02:35 PM
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Edit Oops wrong thread I am sorry

Last edited by W205C43PFL; Dec 18, 2025 at 02:42 PM.
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Old Dec 18, 2025 | 05:30 PM
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Yawn. Call me when they turn the windshield into a 65in TV with a camera in the front grill, and multi-authentication to start the car. Until then, it's just old, outdated, so 2020, not worthy of holding my $25 MochaChokaLatte in my 128oz Yeti cup.
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Old Dec 18, 2025 | 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Scorpio550
The Updated GLS will have a full glass screen across the dash as seen in other Mercedes updates as well as in other GLS spy photos.
the air vents in center will be of 2 vs the old 4
Where have you seen this?
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Old Dec 19, 2025 | 01:07 AM
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Originally Posted by SW20S
Where have you seen this?
The GLS and GLE share almost the same front interior and dashboard. Between the two, several photos were leaked.

These are the photos I have confirming what he said.





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Old Dec 19, 2025 | 08:24 AM
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The big dash may be cool but it will all be for nothing if the car stays at "uncomfortable" due to ambient conditions. I would imagine the 10 minutes the car is on from a Remote Start won't help cool/heat the cabin enough!
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Old Dec 19, 2025 | 09:20 AM
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Interesting. I actually don’t like that. I wonder if what we’re seeing is the difference between it being optioned with the super screen and not being optioned with it.

Why would there be an issue cooling the cabin? The number of vents don’t really have an impact cooling the cabin. Cabin is cooled by removing hot air, actually.

Last edited by SW20S; Dec 19, 2025 at 09:23 AM.
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Old Dec 19, 2025 | 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by SW20S
Interesting. I actually don’t like that. I wonder if what we’re seeing is the difference between it being optioned with the super screen and not being optioned with it.

Why would there be an issue cooling the cabin? The number of vents don’t really have an impact cooling the cabin. Cabin is cooled by removing hot air, actually.
I don’t like it either. These all screens designs are so so so CHEAP looking. Although there is still some wood in this case, but the Porsche implementation for the all screens is a little more subtle cause u can turn off that screen and at least it may look like a gloss black panel.

Last edited by S_W222; Dec 19, 2025 at 11:47 AM.
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Old Dec 19, 2025 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by SW20S
Interesting. I actually don’t like that. I wonder if what we’re seeing is the difference between it being optioned with the super screen and not being optioned with it.

Why would there be an issue cooling the cabin? The number of vents don’t really have an impact cooling the cabin. Cabin is cooled by removing hot air, actually.
Quick engineering: assuming Mercedes uses the same compressor, 2 vents will constrict air flow and increase pressure drop compared to 4 vents (all of the same size and x-sectional area). This will require more head from the compressor, resulting in less operating capacity (everything else being equal, of course),
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