Mercedes-Benz GLS 350d: First Drive Review

With Mercedes-Benz following the now de-rigueur trend of having every car on offer look similar to each other, the GLS is the latest to get the ‘family’ face. A trend that started with the new generation C-Class looking like a smaller S-Class, then the ML-Class becoming the GLE, followed by the soon to be launched E-Class and now the GL becoming the GLS.

Personally I’m not a fan of the ideology, and was glad to note that the GLS looks a bit different from its siblings, and even a lot better than the outgoing GL. My first rendezvous with the GL was in the snow-clad mountains of Ladakh a few years ago, and of course, a lot has changed since. In the form of the GLS, Mercedes-Benz’s full-sized, 7-seater luxury SUV only gets better, with additional technology and more features. Here’s all you need to know about it.

Exterior and design 4/5

The most obvious change is at the front with the GLS getting a new face. The highlight is the change to full-LED, adaptive headlights that look like the ones on the S-Class. Other changes include a more rounded, muscular twin-slat grille; as also a redesigned bumper and hood that add more pizzazz to the SUV’s personality. Changes at the rear are limited to a revised bumper and full-LED tail lights which look similar to the predecessor’s from a distance. The intricate design of the headlamp and tail lamp units is no less than that of a jewel though, and it is something that’s worth taking a closer look at.

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Goes without saying, the GLS looks a lot more appealing. It’s a design that will make you soak in the details – there’s a sense of familiarity to the face, though it is more muscular and well-toned, the way SUV’s should look. What gets your attention from the sides is the enormous length. At over fivemetres long, the GLS is one of the biggest SUVs in the country, and is longer and wider than a lot of other full-sized luxury SUVs.

Interiors and space 4.5/5

The large exterior dimensions translate to acres of space inside, and the GLS is one of the largest SUVs inside too, with genuine space for seven adults and not five adults and two kids. The third row offers enough space to seat two people, though getting in is a bit of a squeeze as the second row seats do not slide forward and can only be tumbled. That said, the second row is the place to be with its kind of legroom, headroom, kneeroom and, of course, comfort. The rich feel from the plush leather seats adds to the luxurious experience of being ensconced in the back seat, and it isn’t surprising why a lot of GL buyers are chauffeur-driven.

Not that the driver’s seat is a snug-fitting Recaro either. It offers great comfort, allowing you to sink into its softness while also offering good support. The view it offers is towering, adding to the incredible feel of being seated in something massive. The design and layout of the dashboard is typically Mercedes though it looks a bit dated now with a lot of buttons and switches. Quality levels are as good as one would expect, with the leather on the dashboard offering a rich feel. However, other new generation luxury SUVs like the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 have clearly taken the game a notch higher with their modern look and feel.

Features and equipment 4.5/5

Climb in and the first thing you notice is the new steering wheel and revised instrument cluster. The display for the latest generation COMAND system is an 8-inch unit that sits on top of the dashboard. The resolution of the screen is high, and in its latest avatar COMAND gets advanced connectivity, allowing you to browse the Web or stream online music once you sync your phone’s internet. Of course, there’s Apple’s CarPlay which is a boon for iPhone users. And the slick interface, coupled with the stylish touchpad on the rotor for the COMAND makes using the infotainment system a breeze on the go, since you can access everything with a mere swipe or touch.

The ambience inside is better than before thanks to the mood lighting, and you can choose from three colours and five variable adjustments. Features like a large panoramic sunroof, cup holders that cool or heat up your drink, and electric fold for the third row seats are on offer, too, as expected in a luxury SUV. The infotainment screen also doubles up as display for the 360-degree camera which makes parking or maneuvering this massive SUV in tight spots extremely easy. Of course, the automatic park assist feature from the GL has been carried forward too.

Another big highlight is the addition of the DYNAMIC Select dial that lets you choose vehicle settings depending on the terrain you are driving on, letting you choose from Individual, Sport, Comfort, Slippery and Off-road. Each mode has its own settings for the suspension setup, engine response and steering, but more on that later. What’s noteworthy though are the details each mode offers you via the screen – Off-road tells you about the angles the SUV is at when climbing up or down; in Sport mode you get to know which suspension is getting loaded and how much around corners along with an indication of where exactly the centre of gravity is shifting and likewise for Comfort and Slippery mode.

Engine and performance 4.5/5

The GLS 350 CDI is powered by Merc’s popular 3.0-litre V6 diesel motor that’s known for its silky smooth feel. With 261PS of power and a massive 620Nm of torque, the GLS is no slouch in terms of acceleration, despite its gargantuan dimensions and 2.4 tonne weight. With peak torque on offer from as low as 1600rpm, the GLS is quick to take off, and accelerate rapidly, and will hit the proverbial ton in just 8 seconds. Credit for the agile performance also goes to the new 9-speed 9G-Tronic gearbox that’s quicker to swap ratios as compared to the older 7G-Tronic unit.

That said, downshifts via the paddle shift levers are slightly slower than I would have liked, but in its defence, the GLS is certainly no sportscar. The engine lets you build speeds rapidly without letting you realise. In fact, thanks to the 9-speed ‘box the engine is spinning at a mere 2000rpm even at 150kmph. This equates to quieter drives, which is also courtesy the smooth feel from the engine.

Ride and ease of driving 4/5

Ride quality is what you would expect of a Mercedes-Benz, thanks to the air suspension and large 20-inch wheels that do a good job of soaking in bumps and undulations. There’s a sense of plushness though the odd speed breaker can be felt at times lest you try to drive fast over it. Ease of driving is apparent, as the GLS felt perfectly drivable even in city traffic, and in that sense it is adept at masking its imposing size.

Handling and braking 4/5

Sport mode obviously stiffens the suspension, with sharper inputs from the steering and better throttle response and that’s apt if you want to enjoy driving fast on an open road. Comfort mode trades handling for a plusher ride as it softens the suspension a bit and makes the steering lighter as well. Off-road makes the suspension softer, and despite its large dimensions the GLS felt capable of going off the tarmac once I switched to Off-road mode, especially with the raised suspension height. It doesn’t quite let you realise how big it is off tarmac, but expectedly, you do get a sense of the massive dimensions and weight on tarmac, even in Sport mode. It is a big SUV and likes to driven like one, and not thrown around corners.

Price and fuel efficiency 4/5

Mercedes-Benz has priced the GLS at Rs 80.40 lakh (ex-showroom Pune) which is a slight premium over the outgoing GL, but that's not a huge ask when you consider the additional equipment that you get in the GLS. With its 3.0-litre engine and performance, the GLS isn't exactly meant to be frugal, and you can expect this massive SUV to return efficiency in the region of 6-8kmpl in the real world.

Verdict 4/5

The GLS is a better-looking, better-equipped and more likeable version of an already successful full-sized luxury SUV, and it's the three-pointed star on the front grille of the GLS that still holds an aura for many a luxury car buyer. With its extra features and the addition of DYNAMIC Select, the SUV feels even more competent now.

But, the fact that the new Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 have been received very well for their modern design and technology is something that makes it slightly more challenging for the Merc to convince buyers. That said, the social status and prestige associated with owning a Mercedes-Benz is something that's probably not going to change for a long time, especially for us Indians, which should help the GLS find its way into the garages of uber-rich SUV buyers.