2027 Mercedes GLS Review: Luxury, Utility, and the Big SUV Question

There’s something almost stubbornly admirable about the Mercedes GLS in 2027. At a time when many automakers are slimming down, simplifying cabins, and chasing efficiency at all costs, Mercedes has gone in the opposite direction with its flagship SUV. The latest GLS arrives not as a radical reinvention, but as a carefully considered update to a vehicle that still believes size, comfort, and presence matter.

Mercedes has long positioned the GLS as the S-Class of SUVs, and this facelift does little to change that ambition. If anything, it doubles down on it. Stretching over five meters in length, the big seven-seater still feels unapologetically oversized, but now it carries a sharper digital edge and a few clever new tricks that make it more competitive in a crowded luxury SUV segment.

Visually, the updates are subtle but effective. The new Dark Petrol paint gives the GLS a richer, more upscale look, especially under natural light. Mercedes has also leaned into its signature design language with revised lighting details that quietly reinforce the model’s place above the GLE. The rear lights now feature the brand’s distinctive three-star motif, while the front end gets a larger grille and more intricate headlamp detailing. None of it is revolutionary, but it gives the GLS a stronger sense of occasion.

Inside, the facelift feels more substantial. The cabin still aims to blend old-school luxury with modern technology, but the materials now make a stronger first impression. Glossy surfaces that once felt too fingerprint-prone have been replaced by matte finishes and open-pore wood, which gives the interior a warmer, more expensive feel. The microfiber headliner and sun visors add to that lounge-like atmosphere, making the cabin feel closer to a high-end private suite than a conventional SUV.

Not every design choice will win universal praise, though. Mercedes has introduced a new seat pattern inspired by upscale furniture trends, with offset stitching that looks intentionally unconventional. Some buyers may see it as stylish and modern. Others may simply think the seats look oddly unfinished. It’s one of those details that will probably divide opinion the moment people see it in person. Thankfully, the seats themselves remain comfortable and supportive, with the kind of long-distance comfort expected in a vehicle at this level.

One of the most impressive changes has nothing to do with horsepower or screens. It’s the updated seat-folding system. Mercedes has turned what is usually a forgettable utility feature into one of the GLS’s most satisfying innovations. With the push of a single control, the second and third rows fold electrically in a smooth, coordinated sequence. The second row even slides forward automatically to prevent the headrests from brushing against the front seats. It sounds minor until you see it in action, but it’s the kind of thoughtful engineering that reminds you why premium buyers still pay attention to details.

That focus on practicality gives the GLS a unique edge. While rivals like the BMW X7 may offer more indulgent second-row seating in some configurations, the GLS remains the more flexible family hauler. Fold everything down and the cargo area becomes enormous, with a flat loading floor long enough to swallow furniture, luggage, or bulky road-trip gear without much effort. For buyers who actually plan to use a three-row luxury SUV as more than a status symbol, that matters.

Technology has also taken a bigger role in this update. The dashboard now feels even more screen-dominated, with a triple-display setup that gives both driver and passenger plenty to interact with. The infotainment system keeps the familiar Mercedes look, but now benefits from Google-powered mapping in the background, which should mean faster route calculations and more useful navigation data. The front passenger can also access their own display for vehicle information or entertainment, turning long journeys into a more interactive experience. In a slightly playful touch, even casual gaming is part of the package, which says a lot about where luxury interiors are heading.

There are still a few real-world quirks. In strong sunlight, all that glass can become surprisingly hot to the touch, which is hardly ideal in warmer climates. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s one of those modern-cabin side effects that only becomes obvious outside a studio or showroom.

Under the skin, the GLS stays true to its established formula. Buyers can still expect the smooth 3.0-liter six-cylinder in the GLS 450 and the more dramatic 4.0-liter V8 biturbo higher up the range, both supported by mild-hybrid technology to sharpen response and improve refinement. For many buyers, that familiar mechanical confidence is part of the appeal. Mercedes hasn’t chased electrification too aggressively here, and depending on your perspective, that will either feel refreshingly traditional or slightly behind the curve.

The biggest piece of engineering theater remains the available E-Active Body Control suspension. This system can do more than simply soften rough roads. It can actively lean the SUV into corners to reduce body movement and even raise or rock the vehicle in tricky off-road situations. In a machine this large, those tricks help make the GLS feel less cumbersome than its dimensions suggest. On the right road, it can genuinely deliver that “magic carpet” sensation luxury buyers love to talk about.

And yet, for all its sophistication, the GLS still carries one frustrating weakness. It remains a very large SUV to maneuver, and Mercedes still hasn’t addressed that in the most obvious way. There’s no rear-axle steering. In a vehicle that stretches roughly 5.2 meters, that omission is hard to ignore. Tight parking garages, narrow city streets, and awkward urban turnarounds can quickly remind you that no amount of luxury trim changes the laws of physics. For European buyers especially, that could be the detail that matters more than any ambient lighting upgrade.

There’s also the question of electrification. Mercedes continues to keep plug-in hybrid technology out of the GLS lineup, even though smaller models in the range have embraced it. That decision makes the GLS feel slightly conservative at a time when many buyers in this segment are beginning to expect some form of usable electric-only range, especially at a six-figure price point.

The third row tells a similar story of compromise. Headroom is surprisingly good, which makes it more usable for adults than some rivals. Legroom, however, still depends heavily on second-row generosity. In other words, it’s a genuine seven-seater on paper, but comfort in the very back will still require some negotiation among passengers.

So, is the 2027 Mercedes GLS still the king of full-size luxury SUVs? In many ways, yes. It remains one of the most commanding, comfortable, and cleverly packaged options in its class. The facelift improves the cabin, sharpens the tech, and adds thoughtful usability touches that owners will appreciate every day. But it also highlights what the GLS still lacks. For a vehicle this expensive, the absence of rear-wheel steering and a plug-in hybrid option feels more noticeable than ever.

The 2027 GLS is still a deeply impressive machine. It just asks the same question luxury flagships always do: how much are you willing to trade for space, presence, and comfort? If your answer is “a lot,” Mercedes has built exactly the SUV you’re looking for. Just make sure your driveway is as generous as the cabin.