New Mercedes-Benz GLS revealed with updated interior tech and refined performance

The Mercedes-Benz GLS has always had a slightly ridiculous job to do. It needs to feel like an S-Class, carry seven people, sit above the GLE, and still look important enough to justify its place in the driveway. The new GLS arrives with more power, a redesigned MBUX Superscreen, and a stronger push toward S-Class-level refinement. Mercedes is not reinventing the GLS here, but it is making sure the GLS stays firmly in the S-Class conversation.

Mercedes-Benz GLS gets a more digital kind of luxury

The first big shift in the GLS is inside, where the MBUX Superscreen now comes as standard. The GLS uses this wide glass display to reshape the cabin into something that feels closer to an S-Class than a traditional SUV.

That matters, because the GLS competes in a segment where digital presentation now defines luxury. If the MBUX Superscreen did not arrive in the GLS, it would have started to feel like the one Mercedes product not invited to its own S-Class evolution.

The GLS now runs on MB.OS, which gives the Mercedes-Benz GLS a long-term software backbone similar to the S-Class. Over-the-air updates ensure the GLS does not age as quickly as older luxury SUVs that felt outdated the moment a new screen appeared elsewhere.

The MBUX Superscreen also brings a standard passenger display, which turns the GLS into a more interactive space. It is the kind of feature that reinforces the S-Class link, even if the GLS still has to deal with things like school runs and luggage.

Rear passengers benefit too, because the GLS is expected to behave like a stretched S-Class when required. With dual rear screens, optional massage seats, and dedicated controls, the GLS leans harder into that expectation than before.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mercedes-Benz (@mercedesbenz)

More power and comfort without shouting about it

Under the surface, the Mercedes-Benz GLS receives meaningful updates that avoid turning it into something it is not. The GLS 580 4MATIC now produces 395kW, which keeps the GLS competitive without stepping on the toes of more aggressive AMG models.

The GLS 450 4MATIC also benefits from increased torque, helping the GLS feel more responsive in everyday driving. It is not about outright speed, but about making the GLS behave more like an S-Class in terms of effortlessness.

Mercedes has reworked the V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft, which sounds like a motorsport move but is really about efficiency and emissions. The goal is simple: keep the GLS compliant with future standards while maintaining the smooth character expected of an S-Class-inspired SUV.

Diesel versions of the GLS also gain updates, including an electrically heated catalyst. This helps the GLS meet emissions targets without compromising the long-distance refinement that many S-Class buyers expect when stepping into something larger.

Every GLS engine now uses a 48-volt system with an integrated starter generator. That allows the GLS to coast, boost, and recover energy while maintaining the smoothness expected from anything carrying S-Class expectations.

Mercedes has also spent time improving noise isolation across the GLS. Additional insulation ensures the GLS keeps engine and road noise where they belong, which again aligns the experience more closely with the S-Class.

Ride comfort is where the GLS makes a more subtle statement. With cloud-based damper control linked to AIRMATIC, the GLS can prepare for road imperfections before reaching them.

This system uses shared data from other vehicles, allowing the GLS to react early rather than simply absorb impacts. It sounds technical, but in practice it means the GLS continues to push toward the calm, composed feel that defines the S-Class.

Externally, the GLS leans into presence rather than reinvention. A larger grille, chrome detailing, and an upright star give the GLS a more formal identity, which mirrors how the S-Class uses design to signal status.

Lighting also plays a role, with DIGITAL LIGHT now standard across the Mercedes-Benz GLS range. The system offers a larger light field and greater efficiency, giving the GLS a more advanced feel without relying purely on design changes.

The GLS remains a full seven-seater, with electrically adjustable seats across all rows. Mercedes says even the third row can comfortably fit adults, which reinforces the idea that the GLS is not just a scaled-up SUV, but a practical extension of the S-Class philosophy.

What stands out most is how deliberate this update feels. The GLS is not chasing headlines, but it is quietly becoming a more complete version of itself, bringing it closer to the S-Class in all the ways that matter.