Name: Mercedes-Benz GLS (2019 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Mercedes-Benz GLS
Rating: 50.0

Summary

The Mercedes-Benz GLS is a large SUV, and the largest model in the Mercedes SUV family. The current model was launched in 2019 – earlier models were called the GL until 2016, when Mercedes renamed a number of its models to provide a more cohesive structure to its range.

The standard GLS is currently only available in the UK with a diesel engine. There is a more luxurious Mercedes-Maybach GLS that comes with a petrol engine, and a high-performance Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 as well. We will be building separate pages for these vehicles, so check back soon.

The GLS has received positive reviews from the UK automotive media. It has received praise for its comfort, refinement and spaciousness, although the driving experience is not rated particularly highly.

As of July 2025, the Mercedes-Benz GLS holds a very poor New Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 50%. The score for its used car rating is even lower, at just 39%. Running costs and reliability both rate particularly poorly, which affect the used car rating more in our calculations.

More Mercedes-Benz Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

Key specifications

Body style: Large SUV
Engines: diesel
Price: From £108,070 on-road

Launched: Summer 2019
Last updated: Winter 2023/24
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The Mercedes GLS takes a huge leap on from its predecessor, boasting superb comfort and refinement while offering more space than nearly anything else for the money.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

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Auto Express

Pete Baiden

“The Mercedes GLS is the largest SUV Mercedes makes. It’ll seat seven people with ease and is crammed full of the latest tech, but its interior quality is mixed.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 7 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: 2021
Score: 6 / 10
“The Mercedes GLS has an impressively punchy and smooth diesel engine, and it certainly looks flash inside, but the build quality, ride comfort and handling all disappoint for a luxury SUV of this price.”
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Model reviewed: 400d AMG
Score: 8 / 10
“It has superb comfort and refinement, while offering more space than nearly anything else for the money.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Mercedes’ GLS is a large seven-seat luxury SUV. Due to its sheer size and unapologetic styling, it exudes on-road presence, with lots of space inside. It’s expensive, but in return the equipment on offer is generous.”
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Car

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“In essence a stretched and widened GLE, the marque’s top-of-the-line crossover feels comfortable on-road, competent off-road and charismatic enough for a front-row slot in the valet car park.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“And if you’re buying this as a family car, there are no less than 11 USB sockets to keep your darling children plugged in.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLS represents the ultimate in space and luxury for SUV buyers.” (Andy Goodwin)
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Evo

Model reviewed: 400d 2020
Score: 6 / 10
“The supersized luxury SUV is well built and has a fantastic powertrain, but isn’t quite the S-class in the sky Mercedes might want you to believe it is.”
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLS is a very strong contender in a lot of ways. Tech-heads, in particular, will love it. However, the BMW X7 is just a better all-rounder, while other excellent cars like the Audi Q7 do a very similar job for considerably less money.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview
“Longer and wider than its predecessor and dubbed ‘the S-Class of SUVs’, the Mercedes-Benz GLS is one of the biggest SUVs on the market.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“S-Class luxury for up to seven people”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel GLS 400 d AMG Line Premium Plus Executive
Score: 8 / 10
“The huge Mercedes-Benz GLS will seat seven with ease, but its interior quality is mixed.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: GLS 300
Score: 8 / 10
“What appears at first to be just another gargantuan swanky SUV actually has hidden depths. It’s big, yes, but all seven passengers will be in sybaritic comfort, the ride and handling defy the bulk and weight, and it does the job it’s made for brilliantly.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“A very well executed big, luxury Benz. Lovely thing”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of July 2025, the Mercedes-Benz GLS has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.

Due to its price and relatively low sales numbers in Europe, we’re not expecting the GLS to be a priority for Euro NCAP crash testing. If the car is assessed, we’ll publish the results here.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of July 2025, the Mercedes-Benz GLS has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 92
Average repair cost: £824.20
Last updated: April 2025

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Mercedes-Benz GLS has a poor reliability record of 11%, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to both the current model (2019 onwards) and previous GL/GLS models.

The biggest bills have been for gearbox faults, with an average repair cost of about £1,700. The average repair bill for all repairs is just over £800, which is obviously more than your average used car warranty.

If you own a Mercedes GLS or you’re looking to buy a used GLS, make sure that any used car warranty covers all the areas above.