Mercedes-Benz GLS

Name: 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

CR MPG:

Road Test

Predicted Reliability Details

Predicted Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

In the rarefied air of posh three-row SUVs, the Mercedes-Benz GLS stands out as a top player, offering loads of performance, comfort, and opulence for the money. But convoluted controls hurt its road-test score, and below-average predicted reliability drags down its Overall Score.

New Models Predicted Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Mercedes-Benz GLS

vs. Similar Cars

Acura MDX

Audi Q7

BMW X7

Cadillac Escalade

Cadillac XT6

See All Models Predicted Reliability

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Distracting controls

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Mercedes-Benz vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Luxury SUVs 3-row Ratings

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

$90,250 - $180,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Acura MDX

$51,800 - $75,850

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Audi Q7

$62,000 - $68,100

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 BMW X7

$87,500 - $156,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Cadillac Escalade

$91,100 - $171,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Cadillac XT6

$49,195 - $60,695

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Infiniti QX60

$51,590 - $66,690

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Infiniti QX80

$83,750 - $111,500

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Land Rover Discovery

$60,200 - $83,500

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Land Rover Range Rover

$113,300 - $260,900

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Lexus GX

$66,285 - $82,750

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Lexus LX

$107,000 - $141,500

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Lexus TX

$56,440 - $80,310

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Lexus TX Hybrid

$56,440 - $80,310

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Lincoln Aviator

$56,910 - $85,910

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Lincoln Navigator

$91,995 - $122,525

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Volvo XC90

$61,050 - $73,850

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

See All Luxury SUVs 3-row Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear, 2 third

AWD

3-liter 6 turbo (375 hp)
4-liter V8 turbo (603 hp)
4-liter V8 turbo (550 hp)
4-liter V8 turbo (510 hp)

9-speed automatic

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

Basic 4 years/50,000 miles
Drivetrain 4 years/50,000 miles
Corrosion 4 years/50,000 miles
Roadside Aid 4 years/50,000 miles
Maintenance NA

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2020-Present

Current Generation

The new for 2020 GLS is a very functional three-row SUV that exudes luxury with its gorgeous interior. The standard 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo provides plenty of smooth and effortless power. An even more powerful turbocharged V8 is available. The ride is very composed and handling is responsive for such a luxury coach. All of the seats are first-rate, and the interior can be configured for either six or seven passengers. Unlike most competitors, the third-row seat is relatively roomy. However, the infotainment system is overly distracting because many common tasks require a few steps. Using steering-wheel controls too easily ends up changing a display or audio selection. Standard safety features include forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.

2017-2019

2017 Redesign Year

Mercedes' seven-passenger SUV is freshened for the 2017 model year, with revised interior and exterior styling, a nine-speed automatic, an upgraded air suspension, and the addition of the current--and more complex--Mercedes-Benz infotainment system. Our last tested diesel GL was plush and quiet, with supportive seats and a third-row seat that was roomy enough for adults. It had a steady and comfortable ride, but the GL proved very clumsy when pushed to its handling limits. Engines include a 362-hp, 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6; and a 4.7-liter V8 that puts out 449 hp. The flagship AMG GLS63 churns out 577 hp. Available safety equipment includes cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assist.