Used 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class Consumer Reviews
Used GLS-Class for sale
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 GLS-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the GLS-Class since its last redesign.
4.74 Stars, Almost perfect, but...
Jay Poocha, 03/23/2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
62 of 65 people found this review helpful
Over the years, we have owned many Luxury SUVS and a few mini-vans. We purchased a 2021 GLS 450 in early November 2020. As of today, we have driven 25,402 miles! That's not a typo. In a very short period of time, we have discovered the strengths and weaknesses of the GLS. The strengths: 1. Overall comfort, especially the front seats, is awesome. 2. The added massaging seats is a nice option (get it, you won't be disappointed on long trips). 3. The ride is smooth on the highway and around town; however, I prefer to use the individualized setting option for the sports suspension on the highway to firm up the ride, otherwise it can be a tad floaty. I prefer a stiffer, more controlled ride. 4. Passing is done with ease at speed; however the 450 holds gears a bit long when rapidly accelerating. It eventually finds its place after a brief struggle. Not bad, but not perfect. After driving 25K in a very short period of time, I would like MB to strongly consider improving a few areas in the cabin: 1. The cell phone ports (only usb c type) must be better placed. They are extremely difficult to plug cords into, plus need some type of ambient lighting to see at night. The wireless charging pad is a pain in the rear to use with a case on a telephone. The space is extremely tight. This must be corrected at some point. The power outlet in the second row is horribly placed. In fact, MB get a F- for its placement, and another F for the amount of space allocated for any charging bases larger than standard size. Just the worst of anything we have ever owned. Outside of these minor issues, my wife wishes MB would add a place for cellphones besides the cupholders or wireless charger area. This is an obvious deign oversight. Second row comfort in the captain's chairs is good, but I would strongly considering getting it with the bench in the future for the center armrest. Although the captain's seats are comfortable, again MB needs to add more places for storage. The third row works for smaller adults and children. We occasionally use it, it works for the occasional trip when are children are traveling with us. The real trick is placement of luggage; three suitcases and a duffle is tight - this requires folding one of the third row seats flat. Although not ideal, it works. For ultimate convenience, I would suggest either a Cadillac ESV or, bite my tongue - a fully loaded Chrysler Pacifica. Having owned both these other vehicles, I can say luggage space is rarely an issue. This leads me to my final thoughts on the GLS, I really like it a lot, its almost perfect except for the few issues I outlined. If MB can address the charging issues, phone placement issues and tweak the trans on shifting on the middle range when accelerating, it is hands down a superior SUV for long trips, daily comfort and drivability around town. It feels rock sold on the highway and does extremely well in rain. If you desire luxury, a very solid feeling ride, solid handling and decent MPG (I'm averaging about 23 MPG) I highly recommend the GLS.
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No issues first year
MarkG, 11/28/2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 580 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
Bought the 580 version fully loaded. Have about 12,000 miles on it, with no real issues. Had to top off coolant, and replenish cabin fragrance. Delivers on interior , versatility and quiet ride. Only nit I would have is ride quality over choppy road. The E-Active body control is suppose to scan road and adjust accordingly. My old GL was as smooth, without the $6,500 option. That said, curve mode probably makes it worth it. Ding one star for ride quality.
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2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class for sale near you
Showing 3 of 25 listings
- AMG GLS 63 4dr SUVMSRP: $94,423113 mi away
- AMG GLS 63 4dr SUVMSRP: $102,700166 mi away
- GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUVMSRP: $57,418176 mi away
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Transmission Blew Out in 12 Months
CarGuy_Cambridge, 01/19/2024
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
I should have heeded the advise of a colleague who warned about serious quality issues with Mercedes brand. Transmission of my new 2023 GLS blew out completely without any warnings in exactly 12 months, leaving me and my wife stranded in the middle of a busy street. They had to order a new transmission and took a total of 3 weeks to get the car back. While it didn't cost anything out of pocket thanks to factory warranty, this is not what I had expected from a $100k MB which at one point used to be synonymous with "high quality and reliability". I am going back to BMWs (I have owned 3 of them for a total of 15+ years) or Audi (owned 1, for a total of 6 years).
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Spaceship look & comfortable ride, it goes down af
C Frye, 09/28/2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
36 of 38 people found this review helpful
Windshield wipers auto does not work, Trying to get into Neutral takes an act of god, easy trunk kick function doesn't work, trunk button you have to hold down & that doesn't guarantee trunk is closed, slowing down breaking is very jerky, map shuts down for days, center mouse pad too sensitive, the safety hatch feature never worked. Been in shop 5 times since December. Cost $97k. Look for another vehicle, not worth the headache.
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Great Ride Terrible Tech.
O Xi Sav, 08/15/2023
updated 12/11/2024
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 580 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)
21 of 22 people found this review helpful
Been driving my GLS for a little over a year now. 20,000 miles My first comment is, wow! Did not think the V6 in my 2018 was lacking until I got the V8 in the 580. Truly impressive acceleration. Just had a GLE for a loaner and yeah, the acceleration is real. The real reason I prefer the GLS is the ride. For a vehicle with nearly 7500 lb GVWR it rides marvelously. The road noise and engine noise is minimal. I prefer the GLS450 interior to the 580, but the quality is great on both. At highway speeds of 80 mph averaged 23 MPG. MB marginally improved their tech, but it is still significantly lacking given the price point. CRAZY THAT ANDROID AUTO MUST BE WIRED. MY LOANER GLE HAD WIRELESS ANDROID AUTO AND IT WAS GOOD, SHAME MB DOES NOT THINK IT IS NEEDED ON THEIR HIGH END PLATFORM WHY HAVE A WIRELESS CHARGER THEN HAVE TO PLUG IT IN TO USE ANDROID AUTO, IT IS ACTUALLY EMBARRASSING. Touch screens and finally a real use for the mouse pad. When driving the touch screen is a reach, I'm 6'1", and the pad does allow for easy swiping. The learning curve is real, and takes time to find things, but overall it very customizable. Tech start up is painfully slow, sometimes taking close to 30 seconds for the system to boot up. JUST GOT NOTICE THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR HALF ASSED APP TO START AND LOCK MY CAR! NOT THAT $15 / MONTH IS A WORRY BUT TO EXTORT ME TO USE AN APP THAT ONLY WORKS OCCASSIONALLY IS RIDICULOUS. HAVING TO PAY TO REMOTE START OR LOCK YOU VEHICLE IS BUSH LEAGUE, THE CAR WAS $100K+. My only complaint on the drive side, and it is enough to tell anyone to take a highway drive before you buy, the lane keeping system is jarring to the point of sickening. If you stay left while passing a vehicle or missing an object in the road it will throw you back into what you were avoiding. You cannot turn off the lane tracking without turning off the warning as well. So, in Germanic fashion, we know better than you, you will use the car the way we say is best, even if you have good reason. If one could keep the warning and drop the harsh lane correction it would be great. The cruise is no longer a speed keeping system, it is an auto drive system. I personally have issue giving control to the machine, and there are times when I would like to drive the car. I was exhausted after my first trip fighting the car and how it liked to drive over how I like to drive. Drive 800 miles over holiday and kept cruise off most of the time because it is actually more work to use the cruise than not. Seems cool at first but if you use cruise a lot I would look carefully at how cruise has changed. One thing that I do find odd is you cannot lift the drivers windshield wiper to clean under it, or wipe things off the blade, without hitting the hood and stopping it. I'm not sure how you would change wiper blades like this. New issue that I found is if you are an aggressive driver, guilty as charged, the collision avoidance system is so sensitive it is almost dangerous. My car stopped me in an opposing lane thinking I was going to crash which almost caused a crash. I hate to turn it off because I can see the value but it it needs refinement. Maybe the car is just smarter than me, and as much as I hate the lane system, the car is a great ride, but don't expect much from the tech.
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