Mercedes-Benz GLS (GL)
Full-size three-row luxury SUV · 2006–present. 28,129 units sold in the US in 2024
How it began
Mercedes-Benz created it as its largest SUV, and MBUSI builds it in Alabama. The original 2019 launch release quotes Gorden Wagener as Daimler Chief Design Officer, a corporate role that does not identify him as the model’s sole designer. Jason Hoff was plant manager when GLS production began in February 2016; CEO Ola Källenius presided over the updated GLS reveal at Tuscaloosa on March 31, 2026.
From day one it has been built at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, whose official address is 1 Mercedes Drive, Vance. It was assembled there alongside the M-Class (W 164) and the R-Class, with which it shared its engineering. Today the same plant builds the GLS, the GLE, the GLE Coupe and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS for the whole world and exports about 60 percent of its output.
The GL-Class (X 164 series) debuted in January 2006 at the Detroit auto show. It reached the U.S. market in spring 2006, ahead of Europe, where deliveries started in September. In November 2015 it was shown in Los Angeles under its new name, GLS, as a 2017 model.
It was born as the GL-Class. In November 2015, with the 2017 update and the new SUV naming scheme Mercedes announced in late 2014, it became the GLS. The S places it alongside the S-Class, the brand's flagship sedan: Mercedes calls it "the S-Class of SUVs."
The GL sat above the M-Class, with more room and seven seats, including a full third row that folded electrically into the floor. Mercedes developed the first two generations with North America in mind. During the second generation’s GL-badged phase, the North America-only GL450 was the most-produced variant: just under 65,000 vehicles across its V8 and V6 versions.
Generation by generation
- Gen. 12007–2012 · X 164
The first GL: seven real seats
Photo: M 93 · CC BY-SA 3.0-DE What changed. It was an all-new model above the M-Class, with unibody construction, 5,088 mm of length and a 3,075-mm wheelbase. The U.S. GL450 was announced with a 4.6-liter V8 rated at 335 SAE hp, 4MATIC, AIRMATIC air suspension and a seven-speed automatic. The MY2007 ordering guide placed ADS adaptive damping in the optional Off-Road Package. The nearly 4.7-liter M273 engine made its world debut in this GL. The international spring-2009 facelift revised the front and daytime lights; the U.S. MY2009 guide already listed standard PRE-SAFE.
The innovation. The GL320 BlueTEC arrived first in North America in autumn 2008, as a U.S. MY2009 model. Its 3.0-liter diesel V6 produced 210 hp in the U.S. ordering guide and treated exhaust with AdBlue and an SCR catalyst. Mercedes said it met the strictest contemporary emissions rules and used 20 to 40 percent less fuel than a comparable gasoline full-size SUV, depending on use.
If you buy one usedAlways check the brake booster recall (campaigns 22V315 and its expansion 24V298, 2006–2012 ML, GL and R-Class): moisture can corrode the housing and reduce braking or cause brake failure, and NHTSA advised owners not to drive until the remedy was done. There is also a recall for a driver's air bag inflator that could rupture (16V081): 2009–2010 GL320 BlueTec, 2011–2012 GL350 BlueTec, and 2009–2012 GL450 and GL550. Both repairs are free; ask for proof they were done. The 2006–2012 range pools the three model families; GL-specific booster records are 2007–2012. Booster replacement is conditional on inspection; confirm the applicable remedy by VIN. - Gen. 22013–2019 · X 166
"The S-Class of off-road vehicles," renamed GLS for 2017
Photo: M 93 · CC BY-SA 3.0-DE What changed. It debuted in April 2012 at New York, and Tuscaloosa production began in June for MY2013. It retained a 3,075-mm wheelbase, with an S-Class-inspired interior and standard power-folding third row. Mercedes announced up to 20 percent lower fuel use across the international range, supported by 7G-TRONIC PLUS and ECO measures. The North America-only GL450 switched from V8 to biturbo V6 in summer 2014 for MY2015, retaining its U.S. 362-hp rating. The GLS facelift entered production in February 2016 as MY2017, with a nine-speed automatic across most of the range except AMG; GLS450 retained 362 hp.
The innovation. The ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM debuted in this GL: active anti-roll bars on both axles that adjust to speed and lateral acceleration to cancel body roll in corners and, off the pavement, give the wheels more travel. The GL also premiered Crosswind Assist as standard equipment.
If you buy one usedIf the vehicle has the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM, confirm recall 18V272 (2013–2016 GL and 2017 GLS): with low oil in the reservoir, the oil can foam and leak from the cap, creating a fire risk; the dealer corrects the level and replaces the cap. On 2016–2017 GL350 BlueTec, GL450 and GL550, the electric power steering connector could let water in and shut off the assist (17V241). - Gen. 32020–present · X 167
Bigger, inline-six power and a 48-volt assist
Photo: Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0 What changed. It premiered on April 17, 2019 at the New York auto show with 2.4 more inches of wheelbase and more than 17 feet of length. The GLS 450 switched to a 3.0-liter, 362 hp inline-six, and the GLS 580 introduced a 4.0-liter, 483 hp twin-turbo V8, both with a nine-speed transmission and 4MATIC. For the first time, two second-row captain's chairs were offered, for six seats. It got new lights and a new grille in 2023 and a deeper update revealed in Tuscaloosa in March 2026.
The innovation. EQ Boost: a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with an integrated starter-generator that adds 21 hp and up to 184 lb-ft of torque in short bursts, on both the six-cylinder and the V8.
If you buy one usedThe 48-volt system's ground connection under the passenger seat could be loose and overheat, creating a fire risk (22V231 and 24V207: 2019–2023 GLS 450, 2020–2023 GLS 580, 2021–2023 Maybach GLS 600 and AMG GLS 63). On 2020–2022 GLS450 and GLS580 and 2021 AMG GLS63, the third-row seatback locks could fail in a crash (22V732). Also check the recalls for rear door window trim (22V680, 23V178), the 2021 rear glass (21V832) and the 2021–2023 fuel pump (23V445). These are campaigns for affected 48-volt vehicles and specific configurations; verify the system and VIN rather than applying the year range to every version. The published 22V231/24V207 remedies inspect and tighten the connection as necessary.
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