Used Mercedes-Benz GLS: Buyer's Guide
Welcome to the definitive guide to the used Mercedes-Benz GLS, the undisputed 'S-Class of SUVs'. It delivers a first-class travel experience for seven adults, combining a serene and luxurious cabin with the capability to tow up to 3,500kg. For those who require maximum space and capability without any compromise on luxury, the GLS is the authoritative choice.
Used Mercedes-Benz GLS Popular Trims
AMG Line Premium: The definitive starting point, this trim provides a wonderful sense of luxury as standard, with heated seats in the front two rows, a panoramic sunroof, and the beautiful MBUX widescreen cockpit.
AMG Line Premium Plus: The intelligent upgrade for comfort, adding multi-contour front seats with a variety of massage programs and the outstanding Burmester surround sound system for a concert-like audio experience.
Night Edition: For those who want to make a statement, this style-focused trim adds dramatic black exterior styling elements and larger 23-inch wheels for maximum road presence.
Maybach GLS 600: The absolute pinnacle of automotive luxury, with two reclining, massaging rear 'thrones', a champagne cooler, and the finest Nappa leather throughout.
Used Mercedes-Benz GLS Popular Battery & Drivetrain Options
Running Costs:
The most sensible balance of power and economy, with up to 30 mpg.
Running Costs:
A good choice for lower-mileage drivers, with around 22 mpg.
Running Costs:
The price of this performance is significantly higher fuel consumption.
Used Mercedes-Benz GLS Practicality
The GLS's immense size is translated into class-leading practicality, designed to accommodate your life with a touch of luxury.
First-Class Seating: All seven seats are full-size, upholstered in leather, and electrically adjustable, ensuring everyone travels in comfort. The third row offers genuine, adult-sised accommodation, a key advantage over rivals.
Effortless Access: The rear doors are large, and the second-row seats glide forward at the touch of a button for easy access to the spacious third row.
Cavernous Boot: It offers 490 litres of space with all seven seats in use, expanding to a vast 2,400 litres with the second and third rows folded electrically.
Towing Prowess: With a best-in-class 3,500kg braked towing capacity, it has the muscle to pull almost any trailer with ease.
Used Mercedes-Benz GLS Key Features
Key Features:
AIRMATIC Air Suspension with adaptive damping
MBUX Widescreen Cockpit with two 12.3-inch displays
Burmester surround sound system
Panoramic sliding sunroof
Massaging, heated, and ventilated front seats
Desirable Options:
E-Active Body Control for the ultimate ride comfort
Off-Road Engineering Package
Rear Seat Comfort Package with individual tablets
Burmester High-End 3D Surround Sound System
Used Mercedes-Benz GLS Reliability Rating
The GLS is a flagship product, engineered to the highest standards and built with an emphasis on quality to create a positive and dependable ownership experience.
What to Check on a Test Drive:
Suspension: Check that the AIRMATIC suspension raises and lowers correctly and test the different modes (Comfort, Sport). If fitted with E-Active Body Control, test the 'Curve' function.
Electronics: Take a moment to try the massage programs, test the 'Hey Mercedes' voice control, and check that all seats adjust electrically as they should.
Transmission: Ensure the 9-speed automatic gearbox shifts smoothly under both gentle and hard acceleration.
Used Mercedes-Benz GLS Safety Rating
The GLS is one of the safest vehicles on the road. While not specifically tested by Euro NCAP due to its class, it features a suite of driver assistance systems taken directly from the flagship S-Class saloon, which consistently sets the global benchmark for automotive safety, giving you total peace of mind.
Awards for the Used Mercedes-Benz GLS
What Car? 'Luxury SUV of the Year' 2021
Auto Express 'Best Large Premium SUV' 2020
Auto Trader 'Best 7-Seater Car' 2022
Top Gear 'Luxury Car of the Year' 2020
Who is the Used Mercedes-Benz GLS Best For?
Families who want the undisputed best large luxury SUV on the market, offering the ultimate in space, comfort, and technology.
Drivers who appreciate superior engineering, a commanding driving experience, and need maximum capability without any compromise.
Those who require a genuine seven-seat vehicle or a heavy-duty towing vehicle but refuse to sacrifice a first-class feel.
Key Alternatives to Consider:
BMW X7: A fine vehicle, but the GLS is the superior choice for ride comfort, third-row practicality, and a more luxurious interior.
Range Rover: The GLS matches the Range Rover for luxury but offers a more sophisticated infotainment system, a more composed drive, and the crucial benefit of seven full-size seats.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Used Mercedes-Benz GLS
What are the expected annual servicing costs for a used Mercedes-Benz GLS?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS offers predictable maintenance costs for a large luxury SUV, with service plans available to help you budget effectively.
Service Plans: Vertu offers bespoke service plans that allow you to spread the cost of routine maintenance across simple monthly payments.
Expert Technicians: All servicing is carried out by certified technicians using genuine Mercedes-Benz parts to ensure your vehicle is maintained to the highest possible standard.
Digital Service Record: All work is logged on the central Mercedes-Benz Digital Service Book, helping to protect your car's resale value.
How does the AIRMATIC air suspension on the Mercedes-Benz GLS enhance comfort?
The AIRMATIC air suspension, which is standard on the Mercedes-Benz GLS, provides an exceptional level of ride comfort and stability.
Adaptive Damping: The system automatically adjusts the damping at each wheel to suit the current driving situation and road conditions, smoothing out bumps and imperfections.
Self-Levelling: It maintains a constant vehicle height regardless of the load being carried, ensuring consistent handling and comfort.
Selectable Modes: Drivers can choose between different modes, such as 'Comfort' for a smoother ride or 'Sport' for firmer, more dynamic handling.
Are there different seating configurations available for the Mercedes-Benz GLS?
Yes, the Mercedes-Benz GLS is a versatile luxury SUV that offers different seating configurations to suit your needs.
Standard Seven-Seater: The standard configuration is a seven-seat layout, with a three-person bench seat in the second row.
Optional Six-Seater: An optional six-seat configuration is available, which replaces the second-row bench with two individual 'captain's chairs' for enhanced comfort.
Powered Seats: All seats are electrically adjustable, and the third-row seats can be folded away electrically to create a flat load floor.
What is the real-world fuel consumption for the Mercedes-Benz GLS 400d?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS 400d offers competitive fuel economy for a large seven-seat luxury SUV.
Official Figures: The GLS 400d has an official WLTP combined fuel consumption figure of up to 32.8 mpg.
Real-World Driving: In real-world driving conditions, you can expect to achieve between 25-30 mpg, depending on your driving style and the type of journeys you make.
EQ Boost: The mild-hybrid technology helps to improve efficiency, particularly in stop-start city traffic.
Can the third-row seats in the Mercedes-Benz GLS accommodate adults comfortably?
Yes, one of the key strengths of the Mercedes-Benz GLS is its spacious interior, and the third-row seats are designed to be usable for adults.
Generous Space: Unlike many seven-seat SUVs, the GLS offers sufficient headroom and legroom for adults to sit comfortably in the third row on shorter journeys.
Easy Access: The second-row seats slide and fold forward electrically, providing easy access to the rearmost seats.
Creature Comforts: Third-row passengers also benefit from their own USB charging ports and cup holders.
Does the Mercedes-Benz GLS have options for off-road driving?
Yes, the Mercedes-Benz GLS is a highly capable vehicle that can be equipped with an optional Off-Road Package to enhance its abilities away from the tarmac.
4MATIC All-Wheel Drive: All models come with 4MATIC all-wheel drive as standard, providing excellent traction in a variety of conditions.
Off-Road Package: This optional package adds features such as a low-range transfer case, additional driving modes, and underbody protection.
E-Active Body Control: This advanced suspension option can individually control the spring and damping forces at each wheel, and even features a 'Free Driving' mode to help rock the vehicle free if it gets stuck.
Is the panoramic sunroof a standard feature on the Mercedes-Benz GLS?
Yes, a panoramic sliding sunroof is a standard feature on all UK models of the Mercedes-Benz GLS, adding to the sense of space and luxury in the cabin.
Large Glass Area: The large glass panel floods the interior with natural light, creating a bright and airy atmosphere for all occupants.
Tilting and Sliding: The front section of the sunroof can be tilted or slid open to allow fresh air into the cabin.
Electric Blind: An electric roller sunblind is also included to provide shade when required.
How much does it cost to tax a used Mercedes-Benz GLS in the UK?
The Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), or road tax, for a used Mercedes-Benz GLS depends on when it was first registered and its list price.
Post-April 2017: For cars registered after 1st April 2017, there is an annual standard rate.
Luxury Car Supplement: As the GLS has a list price of over £40,000, it is also subject to an additional 'luxury car' supplement for five years from the second year of registration.
Total Cost: This means the total annual road tax for most used GLS models will be a combination of the standard rate and the luxury supplement.
What are the key benefits of the MBUX system in the Mercedes-Benz GLS?
The MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system in the GLS is one of the most advanced on the market, offering a range of benefits.
Dual Widescreens: The system is dominated by two 12.3-inch high-definition screens that merge to create a stunning widescreen cockpit display.
'Hey Mercedes' Voice Assistant: An intelligent voice assistant allows you to control many of the car's functions using natural, conversational language.
Augmented Reality Navigation: This feature overlays navigation instructions onto a live video feed of the road ahead, making it incredibly easy to follow directions.
