LOOKS

The 2022 GLS features a beautiful exterior design, and its bold front grille is not overly in your face. With smooth lines and an attractive overall shape, making it one of the best-looking in class. A sharp black paint scheme was an eye-catching Obsidian Black Metallic, one of the best color options for a Benz in my view.

The GLS features a power tilt/sliding sunroof, hands-free liftgate, rain-sensing windshield wipers and roof rails. My test vehicle has sharp-looking 21-inch 5-spoke wheels with black accents. 

Moving inside the GLS, you’ll find a vehicle that is among the best designed you’ll find from any automaker — luxury or otherwise.

The leather seating was top-notch, and Natural Grain Grey Oak Wood Trim sharply enhances the design. Throughout all three rows, the GLS is extremely roomy, comfy and stylish, oozing class without being overly ostentatious.

The infotainment system features sharp graphics and its design fits well into the vehicle. Adults can sit in all three rows and be comfortable, something that can’t always be said in three-row vehicles.

The versatility for fitting cargo is impressive too, with rear seats going down with the push of a button. In terms of cargo space, the GLS offers 84.7 cubic feet of cargo area behind the front seats, and 17.4 cubic feet with all seats up. This is decent but not best in class.

Other interior features include: Customizable ambient interior lighting; four-zone automatic climate control; power-adjustable front seats with memory; heated and ventilated front seats; smartphone integration; and nine USB ports.

There are also some strong optional= features, such as second-row captain’s chairs (which reduce capacity to six passengers), heated/ventilated/massaging second-row seats, power rear side-window sunshades, an interior fragrance system and a heated steering wheel.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

The 2022 GLS 450 features a turbocharged 3.0-liter engine pumping out 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, paired with an automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard, and the vehicle features an adaptive air suspension system that can raise or lower the vehicle’s height to improve comfort and handling. Paddle shifters are included for those who want more control of the gears.

Anyone who upgrades to the GLS 580 gets a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 producing 483 horsepower and 516 pound feet, and also a boost to 21-inch wheels.

The GLS 450 I tested delivered an extra smooth, quiet and powerful ride. It took less than 7 seconds to go 0-to-60, impressive for a vehicle this large. For most people, there will be no need to move to the V8 in the 580, as the V6 offering is plenty capable.

Sport, Comfort, Eco and Individual drive modes offered. Sport mode is the most fun, of course. Whichever mode you choose, the GLS drives more like a car than an SUV. It’s nimble, responsive, and it turns and brakes effectively.

Those who do choose the GLS 580 have an option for the Off-Road package, with features such as fully variable 4Matic all-wheel drive, low-range transmission gearing, Off-Road+ driving mode, off-road tuning for antilock braking and traction control systems, hill descent control to control speed on steep hills, and more underbody damage protection.

If you’re looking to tow behind the GLS, it’s capable of pulling up to 7,700 pounds, a respectable number.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

Tech is another strong aspect of the 2022 GLS. Its 12.3-inch infotainment system belongs in the conversation for best in class among luxury SUVs. It has a fast learning curve, with both voice and touch commands being responsive and easy to use. It’s also easy to connect your phone to the vehicle for Bluetooth streaming of calls and music, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

A touchpad controller is offered on the infotainment system, but I found it tricky to use and preferred to stick to the touchscreen controls.

The GLS’ massaging seats are a dream, featuring a variety of settings to tailor the experience, and will make you want to drive more just to enjoy this feature. These are the type of touches that set a luxury ride apart from its rivals.

Navigation was another highlight, as the system both looked tremendous and accurately got you to your destination. One thing you’ll notice immediately is the augmented reality overlay in the navigation setup, bringing the view of the road ahead into the center screen.

The sound system is truly impressive, whether you choose the standard 13-speaker Burmester Surround Sound setup, or the 26-speaker Burmester 3D audio option. UBS ports and wireless phone charging are also included.

Moving on to safety, the 2022 GLS has an optional basic self-driving system that steers the vehicle for you — keeping you safe between the lines and property distanced. Be aware though that the driver must keep their hands on the wheel at all times.

Another safety highlight was the excellent rear-view, surround-view camera system that helped a lot in situations where I was backing out or parking. Multiple angles are available so you are sure to see any obstacles.

There is also a forward collision mitigation system that can brake if a collision is imminent, and blind-spot monitoring to protect you from making poor lane change choices.

Other available safety upgrades include lane keeping assist, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display that projects key information directly into the driver’s sightline on the windshield.

MPG

The official fuel mileage numbers on the 2022 GLS 450 are 18 city/24 highway/20 combined. I averaged a lower number, roughly 15 miles per gallon, but to be fair I was driving heavily in Sport mode and not focused on fuel mileage.

Compared to the large luxury SUV competition— including BMW X7, Audi Q7, Range Rover, Infiniti QX80, Lexus LX, Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade — these numbers mostly fall in line with the alternatives, perhaps a bit shy. But I don’t see fuel mileage being the determining factor for buyers in this segment.

PRICE

With the double-whammy of being both a luxury vehicle and the largest Mercedes-Benz offering, you know that the GLS will cost a pretty penny.

The GLS 450 I tested was priced just over $94,000; base price starts around $80K. These are large numbers, but are representative of the quality of the overall package offered. If you want a luxurious experience, you’ll have to pay for it.

Moving up to the GLS 580 gets you a starting price over $100K, and a Maybach version is available for more than $135K if you really want to drop some dollars.

The GLS’ warranty lasts for a decent but unspectacular 4 years/50,000 miles. Powertrain warranty is for 4 years and 50,000 miles.

BOTTOM LINE

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 is a huge, classy, tech-savvy, boss-style vehicle that competes well with all of its large luxury SUV competitors.

The GLS drives great, looks even better, and will get heads turning your way, and it remains one of the top options for buyers willing to splurge for this category of vehicle.

===

AutoTechReviews.com can be found on Twitter @AutoTechReview, or stay updated at the AutoTechReviews Facebook page. Follow AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews. Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.