2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 coddles the family

If there’s one vehicle my children begged, and wished, we were taking on a road trip to the lake it’s the Mercedes-Benz GLS three-row SUV.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS has a segment-leading TCC Rating of 7.2 out of 10 for a host of reasons, ranging from its comfortable cabin to its terrific powertrain lineup. Dads like me appreciate it for that reason. Less appreciated are its thirst for fuel and its appropriately large price tag.

I spent a week listening to my kids go on and on about how much they loved the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580. They’re not wrong. But they don’t have jobs. Here are the pros and cons.

Pro: Kids adore the Mercedes GLS

It took my school-age kids all of about 15 seconds to find the 7.0-inch touchscreen remote that pops out of the second-row flip-down armrest. It takes them longer to find their water bottles in the house. This remote controlled the second-row bench seat’s heating, cooling, and massage function, their favorite. This was all part of the $3,750 Executive Rear Seat Package. With 41.9 inches of legroom, the second row has 1.6 inches more legroom than the front seat yet it has all the same functional adjustments and accoutrements. The power-operated seats recline and the seat bottoms can tilt and slide. My well-equipped tester’s soft-close doors made it so the kids didn’t have to slam the doors shut, as the car’s electric motors would finish the job for them by sucking the doors fully shut. 

Con: Mercedes GLS requires some patience

Patience isn’t a virtue of mine. The power-operated second-row takes multiple Mississippis to tilt and slide forward to access the third row. It’s a similar situation as the BMW X7, which is just excruciating for any parent that actually needs to access the third row with their ants-in-their-pants child. Ain’t nobody got time for that. Luxurious? Sure, but practical? Not even a little bit.

Pro: GLS gives the power of 6 or 8

GLS buyers will find a choice of a 375-hp turbo-6 or my tester’s 510-hp twin-turbo V-8. The V-8 could be overkill. Both hook to a 9-speed automatic and the power delivery, shifts, and overall experience is smooth as butter. The V-8 sounds mean with a burble that barks when the accelerator is matted to the floor. This SUV weighs over 5,700 pounds and still rips from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while sounding beautiful. Buyers looking for the definition of overkill could opt for the ultra-lux Maybach version that boosts the V-8’s power to 550 hp, or the AMG-badged GLS 63 and its 603 horsepower. Nobody needs it, but I kind of want it. If it’s not going to be electric, it’s hard to top this level of smoothness. 

Con: GLS scoffs at efficiency

Despite both the turbo-6 and V-8 engines pairing with mild-hybrid systems, the GLS is a thirsty vehicle. The most efficient model, the base turbo-6, checks in with EPA fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined. My tester’s V-8 rates at 14/20/16 mpg. These ratings seem realistic as I averaged 17.4 mpg over the course of 232 miles of mixed suburban driving. Every GLS prefers premium gas, though, if you can afford a GLS you can probably afford the gas. Gotta pay to play. Those seeking efficiency will need to peer over to its electric EQS SUV sibling.

Pro: GLS asserts what luxury looks and feels like

For anyone that’s strayed into a Tesla Model X it takes about four seconds of laying eyes, or fingers, on the GLS to remember what true luxury is. The gorgeous Bahia Brown leather and natural grain gray oak wood trim looked warm and inviting. The leather felt thick and soft to the touch, with every single stitch perfectly in place. The doors closed with a solid thunk Tesla can’t manage, and the silver plastic trim seemed like it might even be real metal. 

Con: GLS has a luxury-like price

The GLS costs a lot of money, because real luxury doesn’t come cheap. Base models cost $88,150 including a $1,150 destination charge. My GLS 580 started out as a $113,150 affair, but a top-shelf list of options ranging from 22-inch AMG-branded wheels to that Executive Rear Seat Package brought the sticker price to $123,460.

For those with the means, it is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. Your kids will thank me. For everyone else, it’s great to have goals.

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2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 4Matic

Base price: $881.50 including $1,150 destination charge

Price as tested: $123,460

Powertrain: 510-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, 9-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive

EPA fuel economy: 14/20/16 mpg

The hits: Luxurious interior, coddles rear-seat occupants, strong and smooth powertrains

The misses: Thirsty, expensive, power operated everything requires patience I don’t have