RJC

I'm posting this here in addition to the GLS forum because it crosses over on some common items/thoughts on/between the S and GLS etc. which have discussed here.

Ok, so my local dealer (good people) was kind enough to let us test a new very well equipped ($107msrp) GLS 450 overnight.

Impressions:

The transmission for the short time we've had it performed fine, no clunks up/down, no lags always all in comfort mode and full auto (no paddles).

The 450 has plenty of power for what it is, comp'd to our 24 GW lll it falls short, but in all fairness the GW is 520 hp, also a 6 cyl, but a tt monster and no mild hybrid assist which is supposed to come for 25.

The ride on the 23" AMG rims was just a tad rougher than the 22's on our GW lll but they are all -seasons vs max performance on the GLS'

There were a few rattles in the mid-section of GLS (10 miles on the odo when we picked it up)

The AC was great, far better than the 2 X7's we tested, and it was 95 here today, it was on par with the very robust AC in the GW.

The ventilated seats were terrible, no cooling to speak of and I used my favorite tricks of setting the CC to face and floor which helps draw cold air under the seats then up to the driver...weird thing is, this used to work well on our S Coupes but not on the GLS. Perhaps MB switched to the drawing it away vs pulling the cooled ambient air in up toward the torso, but either way they are quite poor. The GW cooled seats blow these away in every way.

The seats had the leather upgrade but not the $2900 upgrade, and they need it as the leather felt hard and thick, not soft/smooth, too much like text but not quite as bad.

The seats were also not very comfortable, both my wife and I couldn't get comfortable after about a half hour of driving. We tried every setting, but nothing worked, Interestingly, we had a 2023 GLS as a rental last year and we couldn't get comfortable in that one either. The massaging seats were quite good but not as good as those in the GW which are some of the best We've ever had including those in our S's. Too bad the GW is a body on frame or we'd keep it.

The acoustic glass is a must and does a superb job of keeping outside noise at bay and highly recommend it.

Fit and finish was good and materials were good too, but simply doesn't compare to the S class sedan, as it's a step or two down from it (as it should be).

Before we left the dealership, we also drove the new AMG GT 63 coupe, and those seats were far more comfortable. I'll review that vehicle separately on the appropriate forum in the next day or so. Tomorrow we will also test the new CLE 53 AMG coupe which finally came in, to test/see in person as I want to order one for the wife's dd.

My final analysis is the GLS is a fine large lux SUV, but we were left wanting, especially at that price point. The $2900.00 upgraded leather would have helped, as would ADS-Plus and/or E-ABC with it being on 23's, but they are 580 items only. They did not have one 580 in stock but had 17 new GLS 450's sitting on the lot. These vehicles are not selling very well. We were very happy that the 9 speed did a fine job, and with no excuses/rationalization needed, it did what it's supposed to do with no fuss nor muss . Why 50% of the X7's are having Ac issues is beyond me as it just like the GLS are both inline 6 that are MHEV's and it was ice cold with no excuses even in 95' heat, air out of the vents was super cold. The X7 offers a better/more engaging driving experience and just as smooth when comp'd to both being on 22's and no extra suspension packages. BTW, the X7's dynamic handling can be had on both the 6 and 8 cyl versions.

crabman

Good write-up.

Big wheels are not your friend, and don't do you any favors. I'm guessing you know this, so I'm not going to harp on it.

It's interesting on the air, mine is as cold as anywhere else and the flow is roughly similar. I believe you, and others, who have complained about it. It's just an unusual issue to have on some cars, but one that isn't affecting all cars in the model line, or in some specific option configuration.

I looked briefly at the MB offerings in the 2 row segment, but the GLE didn't do much for me. Not bad, but I was left with a sense of meh. Nothing really stood out to me that would act as a reason to jump in. With the S Class, we had been talking at the lot while sitting in a parked car. The dealership is on a busy street, and there was a lot of road noise, which all disappeared when the doors closed. The quiet was almost spooky. I decided to take it for a spin and that quiet, that calm, went with me. It extended out past the lack of road noise to the overall serenity you get in that cabin. That was the hook, the thing that made me look twice, and eventually put one in the garage. With the latest, it was how outrageous it was to drive. Just insane. I'm not sure how long a person is going to be able to get a car like the X5M, but I was having some; the hooliganism was the trigger.

I wasn't looking 3 row, as cars have upsized over time to the point where a mid size SUV is what used to be a big SUV. The now full size has more downside than up for me because I don't need a three row in the first place. I do however like all the bells and whistles. It kinda sucks that in order to get them you have to go supersized. I was talking about this with a few people in the real world, what if you want all the goodies, but in a car that wasn't sized for the Brady Bunch?

SW20S

That was my impression of the GLS as well. I was very excited about it at first, but as my week with it wore on I became less and less enamoured with it.

chassis

​​​​​​​Takeaway is the GLS is not the S-Class of SUVs.

SW20S

No, its not. Like I've said before the only SUV I have found that feels like a peer to an S Class is a full Range Rover.

wildta

Unless it's the GLS 600 😜

W205C43PFL

Ah, so the Maybach?

RJC

Drove the new 25 G550 today - we luved it! The $170 MSRP was steep but it’s mostly still handmade and built like German cars of yore. We are very tempted.

places

So, this has become appealing to us as well. Seems like they refined the 2025's. Very curious if they ironed out the ride. Did you highway drive it? Would this be a comfortable daily?

W205C43PFL

I thought you left MB altogether : ( but can't deny the G-wagen is one of its kind, I totally understand : )

places

G remains the exception and still retains classic Mercedes DNA

W205C43PFL

Bingo : )

Streamliner

Yes, enquiring minds want to know: How’s the ride quality???

RJC

Yes and yes. The one we drove was on 19’s though.

RJC

No, I was/am doing my due diligence. So glad the 4 MB’s I’ve tested thus far had fine shifting transmissions -albeit some were tested much longer than others. The G-wagen is an old school yet updated peach and the new mhev set up is great.

wildta

Did it have Active Ride Control and how was the wind noise on the freeway? Did the I6 feel adequate?

places

19's would be the way to go IMO. I wouldn't want them any larger.

Had you driven the outgoing 550? If so, noticeable difference?