Used 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS GLS 450

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS: The Pinnacle of Luxury SUVs

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS continues its reign as the German marque's flagship full-size SUV, offering a compelling blend of opulent comfort, advanced technology, and formidable performance. Often referred to as the "S-Class of SUVs," the GLS excels at pampering its occupants and tackling long journeys with effortless grace. For 2023, it largely carries over its successful formula, maintaining its position as a top contender in the luxury SUV segment.

Highlights

• Powertrain Prowess: The GLS lineup is anchored by robust and refined powertrains.

  • GLS 450 4MATIC: Features a 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine paired with Mercedes-Benz's EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. This combination delivers a potent 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, providing smooth acceleration and impressive fuel efficiency for its size, thanks to the electric motor assisting during acceleration and enabling smoother engine starts.
  • GLS 580 4MATIC: Steps up the performance with a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, also enhanced by EQ Boost. This powerhouse churns out 510 horsepower and 567 lb-ft of torque, offering exhilarating acceleration and a more authoritative presence on the road.
  • All GLS models come standard with a 9-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive, ensuring confident traction in various conditions.

• Advanced Safety Features: Mercedes-Benz equips the GLS with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies designed to prevent accidents and protect occupants.

  • Active Brake Assist (with Cross-Traffic Function): This system can detect potential collisions with vehicles ahead or crossing traffic at intersections and automatically apply the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time.
  • PRE-SAFE® System: Detects an imminent collision and prepares the vehicle and occupants by automatically tightening seatbelts, closing windows and the sunroof, and adjusting seats for optimal airbag deployment.
  • Active Lane Keeping Assist: Helps to keep the vehicle centered within its lane by providing gentle steering inputs if the car drifts over lane markings unintentionally.
  • Blind Spot Assist: Alerts the driver to vehicles in their blind spots through visual and audible warnings, reducing the risk of lane changes into occupied spaces.
  • Driver Assistance Package (optional but highly recommended): Bundles many of these advanced systems, including DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist (adaptive cruise control with lane centering), Active Blind Spot Assist, and PRE-SAFE® PLUS, offering a more comprehensive safety net.

• Trim Lineup:

  • GLS 450 4MATIC: The well-appointed entry point, offering a luxurious experience with a strong emphasis on comfort and technology.
  • GLS 580 4MATIC: Elevates the experience with a more powerful V8 engine and typically includes even more standard comfort and convenience features, representing a significant step up in performance and refinement.

• Other Notable Aspects:

  • Spacious and Versatile Interior: The GLS offers three rows of seating as standard, comfortably accommodating up to seven occupants. The second and third rows can be folded down electronically, creating a vast cargo area suitable for luggage, gear, or shopping hauls.
  • Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX): The intuitive infotainment system features a large touchscreen display, natural language voice control ("Hey Mercedes"), and advanced connectivity options, making it easy to manage navigation, audio, climate, and vehicle settings.
  • AIRMATIC Suspension: Standard on all GLS models, this adaptive air suspension system automatically adjusts ride height and damping to provide a supremely comfortable and composed ride, isolating occupants from road imperfections.
  • Off-Road Engineering Package (optional): For those who venture off the beaten path, this package enhances the GLS's capabilities with features like an optimized all-wheel-drive system, a low-range gearbox, and a locking center differential.

What to Expect

Owning a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS is generally a premium experience, characterized by luxury, comfort, and sophisticated technology. Maintenance will align with premium vehicle standards, typically requiring scheduled service at authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships. While routine maintenance like oil changes, filter replacements, and tire rotations are standard, the complexity of the advanced systems may lead to higher parts and labor costs compared to mainstream SUVs. It's advisable to budget for these premium service intervals.

Insurance costs for the GLS will likely be higher than for less expensive or less technologically advanced vehicles. This is due to the GLS's luxury status, powerful engines, advanced safety features (which can be costly to repair if damaged), and the overall high value of the vehicle. Comprehensive and collision coverage will be essential, and obtaining quotes from various insurance providers is recommended to find the best rates.

The driving experience is designed for effortless cruising. The GLS glides over the road, effectively masking imperfections. The cabin is exceptionally quiet, allowing for easy conversation even at highway speeds. The advanced driver-assistance systems can significantly reduce driver fatigue on long journeys, making it an excellent choice for family road trips. The MBUX system is generally user-friendly, though there can be a learning curve with its extensive capabilities.

Potential Considerations

While the GLS excels in many areas, buyers should be aware of a few potential considerations:

• Size and Maneuverability: The GLS is a large SUV. While Mercedes-Benz offers parking assistance systems, navigating tight urban environments, parking garages, and crowded streets can still be a challenge for some drivers.
• Fuel Economy: While the EQ Boost system offers some improvements, the powerful engines and the vehicle's substantial weight mean that fuel economy will not be a strong suit, especially for the GLS 580.
• Infotainment Complexity: The MBUX system, while powerful and feature-rich, can be overwhelming for some users due to its extensive customization options and various input methods (touchscreen, touchpad, voice). It may take time to fully master all its functions.
• Third-Row Access: While the GLS offers a third row, it's best suited for children or occasional adult use on shorter journeys. Accessing and exiting the third row requires folding and sliding the second-row seats, which can be a bit cumbersome.

Overall Summary

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS remains a formidable contender in the luxury SUV segment, offering an exceptional combination of comfort, technology, and performance. Its spacious and opulent interior, coupled with a range of advanced safety features and potent powertrains, makes it a highly desirable vehicle for families and individuals seeking the pinnacle of SUV luxury. While it demands a premium for ownership and maintenance, the GLS delivers a sophisticated and undeniably luxurious experience that is hard to match. For those prioritizing a supremely comfortable, technologically advanced, and capable three-row luxury SUV, the 2023 GLS is an outstanding choice.