Mercedes-Benz GLS review

Big old bus, the GLS. But doesn’t really feel it in the States, where it’s dwarfed by Chevy Suburbans and Ford F-150s. Back in the UK its size is more of a hindrance, although it’s not actually as long or wide as a Defender 130. Although at 5.2m long and 1.95m wide, it still won’t fit in most parking spaces.

Surely it’s lovely at a cruise?

Much like the S-Class, the focus here is on comfort and refinement. In the UK the standard versions of the GLS (not the AMG or Maybach) get air suspension and adaptive damping. The ride is fabulously comfortable even with standard 22in wheels, with the big Benz insulating its occupants from any bumps in the road, but also managing to stay reasonably flat through corners.

Okay, perhaps it’s not quite as dynamic or wieldy as a BMW X7 or not quite as soft and floaty as a Range Rover, but it’s a nicely judged middle ground. There’s no four-wheel steer on offer, but the GLS flows down the road like a big SUV ought to, with a little heave, pitch and roll, but a reassuring weight, solidity and stability. It’s relaxed and unstressed, and a truly superb car in which to do distance, too – very slippy for a big SUV so wind noise is kept to a minimum.

On our shores only the Maybach versions get the option of the ‘E-Active Body Control’ suspension, which is essentially a 48-volt anti-roll system that keeps the car eerily flat in the bends (or even tilts it in, like the S-Class Coupe) and scans the road ahead so it can prepare itself for upcoming bumps. It can even effectively bounce the car out of trouble off-road (where the GLS is impressively capable) and gives individual control of the car’s ride height at each corner with sliders. It’s an impressive bit of kit, no doubt, but for the kind of driving most GLS owners will do, the standard setup does the job just fine.

What are the engines like?

The 450d’s 3.0-litre straight-six diesel perfectly suits the GLS. It’s powerful, brawny, and even sounds pretty nice when you lean into it. Of course, it isn’t a massively fast car, but you’ll still manage 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds and – if you’ve ventured into Germany and want to take on some Autobahn – a top speed of 155mph.

We’re yet to try any other powertrains in the GLS, but despite its lower torque figure the 450 petrol also manages to hit 62mph in 6.1 seconds. The V8-engined Maybach cuts that to a supremely smooth 4.9 seconds, while the all-out AMG will somehow bluster its way up to speed in 4.2 seconds.

All engines come with a nine-speed automatic gearbox, which 95 per cent of the time is smooth and quick-reacting, but has a tendency to get a little flustered and out of sync if you demand a sudden burst of acceleration. And even though it does stop very well for a big beast, there could also be a little more feel to the brake pedal.