Used Mercedes GLS (Mk2, 2019-date) buyer’s guide: a luxurious, but expensive, family SUV
A full used buyer’s guide on the Mercedes GLS covering the Mk2 that’s been on sale since 2019
Verdict
Nobody considers ownership of a car like the Mercedes GLS without their eyes fully open, so they know that it’ll be expensive to buy, own and run. With this in mind, it’s hard to be critical of what is objectively one of the world’s best all-round vehicles. Luxurious, comfortable, safe, swift and capable of carrying seven adults in comfort, this is a car that do pretty much anything you like without it breaking into a sweat. That includes towing, as well as reasonably serious off-roading – not that any GLS owner is likely to do that. But you don’t have to challenge a GLS too much to appreciate just what a fabulous piece of engineering it is.
Mercedes was among the first premium car brands to offer an off-roader, when its G-Class was rolled out in 1979. With a focus on off-road driving, the G-Class is still in production in fourth-generation form, but it took almost two decades for the firm to launch its first road-biased SUV – the ML.
Since then, the company’s product range has expanded to offer no fewer than 10 distinct SUV models, at the top of which sits the GLS, offering S-Class limo-like luxury with the high-riding driving position of an off-roader. As you’d expect, it’s an impressive beast, with the current GLS showing huge improvements over its predecessor.
History
The second-generation GLS, codenamed X167, went on sale in May 2019, with the first cars arriving in time for the 69-plate and priced from £73,995.
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Initially, only one model was available (in three trim levels): the GLS 400 d had a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine with 325bhp and 700Nm of torque. At the end of that year, the range was expanded for those who didn’t care about economy: the 603bhp GLS 63 4MATIC + and the 550bhp Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC both had a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with mild-hybrid tech.
Things ticked over until spring 2023, when a facelifted GLS was unveiled; those cars reached UK showrooms in October that year. As well as updated styling there was new rear lighting, new paint finishes, more standard equipment and extra options. The 400 d was also superseded by the 362bhp GLS 450 d with the same engine as before, but now backed up by a mild-hybrid system.
On the road
When a car is this big and heavy, it’s never going to be nimble, but gizmos galore ensure that the GLS hides its bulk reasonably well. Performance is superb; even the slowest GLS (the 400d) can do 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds with a 148mph top speed, while the AMG 63 slashes the 0-62mph time to just 4.2 seconds.
Air suspension with adaptive damping is standard across the range, and this improves ride comfort as well as refinement – both of which are superb. Where fitted, the E-Active Body Control transforms the GLS’s agility and is well worth seeking out.
Which one should I buy?
The AMG and Maybach editions are truly special, but with starting prices of around £140k and £170k when new, they’re understandably in short supply on the used market. They’re superb to drive, but their running costs are punishing.
That’s why we’d stick with the diesel option, which is more readily available. Yet even these more mainstream editions are unusual on the used market, so you might have to hunt for the perfect car.
All GLSs are seriously luxurious, with even the entry-level models coming with surround view, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive LED headlights, a Burmester surround sound system, heated front and rear seats, seven electrically adjustable seats and multi-zone climate control with three modes.
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Alternatives to the Mercedes GLS
The GLS is up against only the most luxurious full-sized SUVs, including the Range Rover, which is far more readily available and has a glorious cabin; plus in Mk5 form (from 2022), there’s a seven-seat edition. The Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 have always had three rows of seats and these are much more plentiful, and available for less money, but they don’t feel as special. They’re still capable and desirable, though.
The X7 is BMW’s flagship SUV. It arrived at the same time as the GLS, but is more common. You should also consider the Bentley Bentayga, which is fast and beautifully built, plus there are plenty on the second-hand market.
What to look for
On the pull
We suspect that not many people buy a GLS to tow, but all variations on the theme can pull up to 3,500kg, apart from the AMG 63 which is limited to 3,300kg. Most GLSs come with a towbar fitted at the factory.
Keep in trim
The GLS’s initial trim line-up consisted of AMG Line, AMG Line Premium, and AMG Line Premium Plus, but after a couple of years it was slimmed down to the Night Edition and Night Edition Executive.
Common faults
There don’t seem to be any fault patterns in the UK, but US GLS forums have some tales of woe because of glitchy electrics and electronics. Dealers can struggle to fix some problems, so check everything works before you buy.
Tyred out
Some owners have reported getting little more than 10,000 miles before their GLS needs new tyres. Check how much tread is left, because a new set of tyres can easily run to £1,200.
Interior
As soon as you climb aboard you can see why the GLS is so costly. It’s crammed with the latest tech, and there are expensive materials everywhere. There are six and seven-seat configurations (the former has two in the middle row) and everyone has plenty of head and legroom, while boot space is generous. With all seven seats in use, the boot can stow 470 litres, or 355 litres for facelifted cars.
Prices
The bottom line is that the Mercedes GLS is an expensive car. AMG Line Premium is the most popular trim and you might get lucky and find a ‘bargain’, but most are priced upwards of £55k. You’ll need deeper pockets to buy one of the facelifted models, though.
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Running costs
With a kerbweight of at least 2.7 tonnes (the Maybach edition weighs just over three), you’ll need deep pockets to run a GLS. You’ll be doing well to get more than 30mpg from the standard diesel, while the AMG and Maybach editions are likely to return less than 20mpg overall.
Some GLS 400 ds are in insurance group 47, but most, including all 450 ds, are in group 50, while the road tax will set you back £620 per year until the car’s sixth birthday.
Maintenance costs aren’t too punishing, with the schedule set at either every 12 months or every 10,000 miles.
Services alternate between Minor and Major, which are pegged at £375 and £448, while a replacement air filter costs £65 and a fuel filter change is priced at £110; fresh brake fluid every other year costs £100.
Recalls
The GLS is a complex car, but 15 recalls in four years is still a poor record for such a premium model.
The first came as early as January 2020 because the rear window trim of the earliest cars could come adrift. There would be another campaign for the same problem in 2022. Then, in 2021, came recalls because of problematic high-voltage wiring harnesses, sub-standard dashboards, faulty e-call software, incorrectly installed air-con hoses and poorly made seats.
Further recalls in 2022 included actions for coolant leaks, faulty ECU software and poor earthing connections, along with sub-standard retaining mechanisms for the third row of seats. Faulty fuel pumps and glitchy transmission software were other recall reasons.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
The GLS has never appeared in a Driver Power survey, but this year Merc’s GLE came first. This is closely related to the GLS, so when you bear in mind that running costs aside (in 26th place), the worst score achieved in the headline categories was third (for value), that’s great news. There were first places for the GLE’s powertrain, interior, exterior, safety features, quality, reliability and infotainment – and the GLS arguably performs even better in most of these areas.
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