NEW MERCEDES GLS 450d

What sprang to life as the seven-seat Mercedes-Benz GL has now entered its third model cycle with production continuing at pace at the US factory in Alabama. Codenamed X167, Mercedes describes the new GLS as evolutionary in that it offers more space, more comfort, and more luxury. In our market, it offers what is now something of a rarity – a six-cylinder turbo-diesel – as well as a turbocharged V8 for the AMG flagship, the GLS 63 4MATIC+.

The archetypical diesel Merc customer covers pretty big open-road mileage. So we made a point of racking up 600km in a day and the road trip was an unalloyed joy, thanks in large part to that well-mannered motor. Its efficiency is superb and its huge output manages to shine in a vehicle weighing over 2600kg. Initial throttle response is suitably dampened-down and the mild-hybrid system provides enough of an electrical tickle to further smooth out delivery. In fact, refinement is generally top-drawer from start-up and step-away to top-end overtake. Plus, engine and gearbox deliver character that is absent in EVs while a range in excess of 1000km can easily be achieved.

As you would expect, the GLS rewards mild-mannered driving and is so responsive that it goes quickly without feeling rushed. The nine-speed torque-converter gearbox is adept at selecting the right gear at the right time and the changes are usually seamless. The GLS powertrain is now variable, defaulting to rear-wheel drive on the road but able to shift half the torque forward via its centre differential.

Our tester was fitted with optional 23-inch wheels and massive tyres. This set-up might help mask the mass when the GLS is hustled but it does compromise the ride quality somewhat. Still, there were plenty of times when we remarked at the suppleness of the Airmatic suspension while cruising. There’s a bit much wallow at speed to compare this with an S-Class but isolation from bumps and ruts was good on the big rubber and road noise was very well suppressed in the huge cabin.

For the record, the GLS has a bigger footprint than BMW X7 and Range Rover rivals. Boot space ranges from 470 litres with the rearmost seats in place to 2400 litres with two rows of seats folded flat. With the seats in place, it’s the second row that excels for legroom and overall space.
Several optional packages are available including a $10k Rear Comfort Package that equips passengers with an MBUX tablet and a high-end entertainment system. Even pricier is E-Active Body Control which uses stereoscopic cameras to scan the road ahead and prime the dampers.

But at the end of the day, it’s the superb powertrain and supremely comfortable cabin that will most enrich the lives of GLS owners. The more mileage they do, the more they will be rewarded.