The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63 takes one of our favorite large luxury SUVs and infuses it with one of the most potent turbo V8 powertrains, resulting in a ridiculously quick yet supremely comfortable way to travel. It's also packed with the latest tech and has a cabin draped in quality materials.Read full review
Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at Edmunds and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.
6/17/2024
If you're in the market for a large three-row luxury SUV, it's hard to go wrong with the highly rated GLS. The GLS is Mercedes' largest SUV, positioned above the smaller GLE. But the brand's most expensive SUV is its popular off-roader: the G-Class (or G-wagen). The GLS is a great choice for large families. It can seat six or seven passengers and provides a commendable amount of cargo space behind the third row. Folding down the third row, though, significantly expands the cargo area. The GLS excels in most categories, including comfort, technology, performance and build quality.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class AMG GLS 63 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.11 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
The GLS was refreshed for 2024. Outside, Mercedes updated its look with a redesigned front bumper, grille and taillights. But the biggest changes took place inside with the GLS' tech. In addition to several new standard advanced driver aids, all GLS models get a surround-view camera system, Mercedes' latest infotainment system and augmented video guidance for the navigation system. The base engine in the GLS 450 gets 13 more horsepower, and the GLS 580's V8 gets an additional 27 hp. Mercedes also reworked the features in the 580's Off-Road package. The AMG GLS 63 also packs more standard features such as a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a head-up display, and an air purification and fragrance system.
Competitors to consider
The Mercedes GLS is an excellent choice for a three-row luxury SUV and is one of our favorites. But if your family needs something larger, the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator and Jeep Grand Wagoneer are compelling rivals that provide more cargo space. If luxury, comfort and tech are more of a priority, the BMW X7 and Land Rover Range Rover are worthy alternatives. As for an all-electric option, consider the impressive Rivian R1S. Check out the Edmunds Expert Rating below to get our test team's full review of the GLS' comfort, tech, performance and more.
Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at Edmunds, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.
We drove the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Performance
8.5/10
How does the AMG GLS 63 drive? The AMG GLS 63 proves it can deliver the sauce without sacrificing the luxury Mercedes is known for. It rips from zero to 60 mph in a mere 3.8 seconds and overshadows even the vaunted Escalade V, and it does so less any theatrical launch control or a comically loud exhaust. Sheer speed aside, we found the engine stop-start function a bit too slow to start back up, and the low-end delivery of the power could stand to be smoother. It has 627 lb-ft of torque to play with plus mild hybrid assist — low-end power delivery should be nothing but butter.
When it comes to stopping, casual or urgent, the braking in a AMG GLS 63 is as smooth and confident as it is robust. The Pilot Sport 4S summer tires are effective at slowing and keeping this heavyweight glued to the road as well as possible. The GLS 63 is also more than capable of being hustled around a corner or two. The steering is more light and accurate than communicative and engaging, which again is not only perfectly adequate for this class of SUV but likely preferable.
Comfort
8.5/10
How comfortable is the AMG GLS 63? The GLS' front seats are ultra-supportive and highly adjustable. You won't have any trouble staying comfortable even after many hours behind the wheel. While the heated seats work well, we found the ventilation function slow to cool. The climate control also has a bit of a steep learning curve if you're trying to manually fine-tune your settings. Once mastered, though, it quickly evens out cabin temperatures.
There's little intrusion from the outside world, with the exception of the AMG V8 exhaust, which is more music than noise. And despite the stiffer, more performance-oriented tuned nature of the AMG GLS 63's active suspension, the GLS' luxury ride quality remains mostly intact. Large wheels can hurt ride quality in many SUVs, but even our test vehicle's optional 23-inch wheels didn't have much ill effect.
Interior
8/10
How’s the interior? The GLS' interior is excellent from almost every perspective. The driving position is upright and commanding, but you always feel comfortably ensconced in the GLS. There's plenty of room in the first two rows, with decent but less cavernous accommodations in the easy-to-access third row. The large windows help all-around visibility and make passengers in the rear feel less claustrophobic, though chunky front pillars adorned with speakers can cut into the view out front.
The controls are all well placed and easy to reach, but there's a lot of them and the small text means you have to take your eyes off the road until you work up the muscle memory. Separating the seat controls between the door and the infotainment system is a bit frustrating too.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $16,584 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $16,584 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the AMG GLS 63 trim.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class AMG GLS 63 pricing in Barberton, OH
How’s the tech? Mercedes' infotainment system is a marvel and benchmark for the class even if the learning curve is a bit steep. The navigation system in particular is a standout, and the augmented reality overlay and turn-by-turn directions in the instrument cluster and head-up display are compelling reasons to use this system instead of a mapping app from your phone. All three rows have USB-C ports, and a standard wireless charging pad sits in front of the cupholders.
The GLS' advanced driver aids are equally impressive. The adaptive cruise control is among the best we've tested. In traffic, the system maintains a reasonable gap and can slow the GLS down to a complete stop, then start going again when traffic moves.
Storage
8/10
How’s the storage? With the seats down, the GLS' cargo area offers up to 84.7 cubic feet of cargo area behind the front seats. Space drops to 17.4 cubes with all the rows upright, which isn't enough to haul luggage for every passenger. Space is decent enough for the class, though the GLS trails the cavernous Navigator, which offers up to 103.3 cubic feet behind the front seats.
The second- and third-row seats fold flat and can be dropped with buttons in the hatch. Small-item storage is OK, with cupholders and decently sized bins spread throughout the cabin. The AMG GLS 63 is rated to tow 7,500 pounds when properly equipped, which is certainly sufficient for many small and medium-size trailers.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Fuel Economy
6.5/10
How economical is the AMG GLS 63? The EPA estimates the AMG GLS 63 gets a measly 16 mpg in combined city/highway driving. So, yeah, it's thirsty. But that's to be expected when you 600-plus horsepower towing around three tons of luxury SUV. After running a mix of roads, our fuel economy averaged around 17 mpg, which indicates the EPA's estimate is realistic unless you have a heavy foot.
Value
7.5/10
Is the AMG GLS 63 a good value? Mercedes-Benz SUVs are typically a paragon of luxury, meticulously crafted with the best materials that speak to their high-end nature. That quality, however, comes at a price, especially when we're talking about anything with an AMG badge. With a starting price that's nearly double the cost of the already impressive base GLS, it might seem hard to justify paying such a premium. But the AMG GLS 63 remains surprisingly competitive with its immediate rivals such as the Alpina XB7 and Cadillac Escalade V, and of the three, it feels most worth the cost. Mercedes' warranty and roadside assistance coverage is about the only aspect that's just average among the competition.
Wildcard
8/10
The AMG GLS 63 embodies a subtle charm, opting for a more understated approach in the realm of AMG vehicles, and it aligns with the tastes of those who prefer a quieter statement. Though it delivers on quickness, it doesn't quite sweep you off your feet, especially compared to the thrill offered by many of the new electric SUVs on the market. The reality is that the base GLS 450 already offers considerable luxury for substantially less, making the leap to higher models like the 63 a question of want versus need.
Which GLS-Class does Edmunds recommend?
The GLS 450 is the way to go because it offers the most bang for your buck. It comes standard with an almost endless amount of standard features, and it costs significantly less than the GLS 580. And if the standard features aren't enough, the GLS 450 can be optioned with most of the features found in the GLS 580. However, if you have a large budget and power is a priority, the GLS 580 and AMG GLS 63 won't disappoint.
These Are the Best Luxury SUVs You Can Buy in 2024
Got a taste (and a budget) for the finer things in life? A luxury SUV might be right up your alley, and there are a whole lot to choose from. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of all the best. In this video, Edmunds’ Nick Yekikian tells you all about the best luxury SUVs on sale in 2024 and why we love them.
This standard feature is an automatic collision notification system with an SOS emergency call button.
Pre-Safe Sound
When a collision is about to happen, Pre-Safe Sound emits a special tone through the stereo speakers to protect your hearing during the impact.
Active Emergency Stop Assist
When using adaptive cruise control and active lane keeping assistance, this feature can recognize an unresponsive driver and bring the GLS to a safe stop.
FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 GLS-Class both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.3 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the GLS-Class has 17.4 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class:
Redesigned front bumper, grille and taillights
Slightly more hp for the GLS 450 and GLS 580
Updated infotainment system and standard package of driver aids
Part of the third GLS generation introduced for 2020
To determine whether the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the GLS-Class. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the GLS-Class's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 GLS-Class and gave it a 8.3 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 GLS-Class is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?
The least-expensive 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class AMG GLS 63 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $145,850.
Other versions include:
AMG GLS 63 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) which starts at $145,850
What are the different models of Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?
If you're interested in the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, the next question is, which GLS-Class model is right for you? GLS-Class variants include AMG GLS 63 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A). For a full list of GLS-Class models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
Related 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class AMG GLS 63 info
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