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They say it’s lonely at the top, not an accurate statement for the Luxury SUV market which is actually populated with an array of capable off-roaders that can satisfy even the most discerning driver.
Today’s subject in question is the Mercedes-Benz GLS, which started its life back in 2006 as the GL and eventually became the GLS, more on the shortly.
Having sold over five hundred thousand units the luxury SUV certainly proved its popularity, particularly in the North American and GCC markets. The letter coding GL received the addition of the letter S with the very conscious purpose of linking the luxury SUV to the all mighty flagship of the German marque, the S-Class.
The third generation, GLS offers the pinnacle of luxury and is so good it has been credited as the vehicle that inspired that other German manufacturer based out of Bavaria to produce the X7.
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The GLS in size has a commanding presence, even on the streets of Dubai where we enjoy some of the widest roads and amplest of parking spaces. But do not fear the size and weight of the car, it becomes irrelevant when driving such a brilliantly designed vehicle with the most up-to-date technology available in automotive.
Let’s take the ‘E-Active Body Control’ suspension for example. This ingenious technology actively scans the road in advance so it can prepare the suspension according to the upcoming obstacles, curves etc. For those who haven’t mastered the art of dune bashing, the ‘E-Active Body Control’ suspension has a bounce function which will ‘bounce’ the car up and down to help the novice off-roader get it unstuck.
The interior is where this car really lives up to that extra letter. The dashboard houses the 2020 design language with two enormous screens that respectively control the MBUX and infotainment system.
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As for the seating arrangement, seven adults can ride in comfort over three generous rows, an abundance of screens and massage seats compliment the uncompromised interior quality.
In terms of the engine, globally there is a wide-selection of options to choose from, starting with the 450 variant which comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder and 362 horsepower all the way up to the performance territory, the GLS 63 AMG with twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 and a whopping 603 horses.
All in all, The GLS has managed to stand firmly on the stilts it has been placed on.
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