The new Mercedes-Benz GLS has all the opulence of the S-class, together with the highest level of comfort and the latest technology.
The new Mercedes-Benz GLS has all the opulence of the S-class, together with the highest level of comfort and the latest technology.
Image: Supplied/Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is famous for the supreme luxury afforded to owners of its S-class sedan. Now you can have the same level of luxury in an SUV with the latest generation of the prestigious GLS. 

The styling is both purposeful and elegant, a showcase for Mercedes’ design philosophy of sensual purity. It has a welcoming air of Mercedes-Benz familiarity, while inside, it’s all about providing the most luxurious interior for up to seven occupants to travel in first-class comfort.

The three rows of seats feature sumptuous leather. The first- and second-row seats can be heated or cooled and all passengers have access to a number of cupholders and up to 11 USB charging points. The third row of seats can easily accommodate adults, who have their own climate controls and storage. 

The middle seats can slide forward or backwards up to 100mm to provide the optimum amount of legroom for both middle- and third-row occupants. And both rows of seats can be raised or lowered at the effortless touch of a button. 

The middle seats can slide forward or backwards.
The middle seats can slide forward or backwards.
Image: Supplied/Mercedes-Benz

While luxury can be found in the soft Nappa leather or beautiful walnut wood trim, it is also in the elegant use of technology in the new GLS. Two 12.3-inch screens in the dashboard provide not just essential information for the driver, but also access to the latest Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system. MBUX is fully interactive, allowing you to interact with it using your voice.

You can even tell it when you are feeling too hot or too cold and it will automatically adjust the climate control for you. Opt for the Energizing package Plus and you will have access to a range of 10-minute programmes that relax or energise you using the massaging seats and perfectly tailored interior ambient settings. 

Fully digital widescreen display.
Fully digital widescreen display.
Image: Supplied/Mercedes-Benz

Those travelling in the middle seats can have access to the best in infotainment. Two optional 11.6-inch tablets can be removed from mounts behind the front headrests. There’s also the option of a 7-inch tablet in the rear centre console for making the most of the connectivity, music and navigation systems available. 

As well as the extremely well-equipped standard model, the GLS is also available with a full AMG-Line package or the Exclusive interior. There are numerous options to enhance your GLS too, from individual business class-style captains chairs for the middle row to high-end sound systems. You can also choose from the Designo bespoke range to truly personalise your GLS. 

Luxury is not just about the comfort and features of the interior, but also about the ride. The new Mercedes-Benz GLS is truly the S-class of SUVs in this respect. Its new E-Active Body Control scans the road ahead using Road Surface Scan and the Curve active cornering system to provide the best ride comfort imaginable. It assesses each bump in the road and adjusts the Airmatic suspension to compensate, ensuring your ride is truly first class.

Two optional 11.6-inch tablets can be removed from mounts behind the front headrests.
Two optional 11.6-inch tablets can be removed from mounts behind the front headrests.
Image: Supplied/Mercedes-Benz

The new Mercedes-Benz GLS is also dynamic. It’s air-suspension can lower by 15mm on highways or for sporty driving. It can drop a further 25mm to help you climb into the luxurious interior or load items into the impressive 355l of luggage space with all three rows of seats in place. It can also be raised by 60mm when travelling off the beaten track.

And driving off-road has never been so luxurious and so effortless. The new GLS is equipped with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, easy-to-use, off-road driving settings and a differential lock. The Off-Road Engineering package takes exploring to another level, with low-range, additional driving programmes and full underbody protection to keep your GLS safe while driving through the bush. 

The choice of powerful but efficient engines allows for effortless acceleration and cruising, but in true luxury style, you will hardly hear them. The GLS is so well insulated that barely a whisper of noise disturbs the ambience of the interior. 

The new Mercedes-Benz is the pinnacle of SUV luxury. It has all the opulence of the award-winning S-class, together with the ability to provide the highest level of comfort and the latest connected technology for its passengers. And the GLS can provide all of this on- or off-road. When it comes to choosing a luxury SUV, there is no room for compromise, it is simply the best or nothing, and the best is the new Mercedes-Benz GLS. 

* This article was paid for by Mercedes-Benz SA.

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