Mercedes-Benz prices GLS from $144,600 + ORCs

MERCEDES-BENZ has announced a two-variant starting line-up for the second-generation GLS upper-large luxury SUV in Australia, priced from $144,600 plus on-road costs for the bigger, plusher new seven-seater that will start rolling out of showrooms next month.

Opening $26,230 higher than the outgoing model’s diesel-powered GLS300d entry grade, the new GLS450 4Matic range-opener has a petrol engine under the bonnet, while those demanding diesel must stump up $151,300 for the GLS400d 4Matic.

The price is significantly higher than BMW’s recently launched X7 (from $124,900) and the GLS450 is about $10,000 shy of Audi SQ7 money, although that could change with the facelifted version that will arrive next year.

Both GLS variants share a standard equipment list that includes dual 12.3-inch dashboard displays and a head-up display encompassing the latest MBUX multimedia interface with voice control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, and wireless device charging.

Outputs from this system are piped through a 13-speaker, 590-watt Burmester premium surround sound system. Cabin comfort comes courtesy of a quad-zone climate control system and three rows of electrically adjustable leather-upholstered seating – the front two of which are ventilated and heated – below a panoramic sliding sunroof.

Soft-closing doors, a power tailgate, air suspension, 64-colour customizable ambient interior lighting, satellite navigation with live traffic updates, and connectivity with the Mercedes Me smartphone app are also included.

Driver-assist and safety systems include adaptive cruise control, lane-keep and -change assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, assisted parking, 360-degree parking cameras, road-sign recognition and adaptive LED headlights.

When using the big Benz’s 3500kg braked towing capacity – requiring the fitment of a $1900 kit – there is also automatic trailer stabilisation. Nine airbags are also standard.

On the outside are an AMG Line body kit and 21-inch twin-spoke AMG alloy wheels.

Mercedes-Benz claims the 77mm-longer and 22mm-wider GLS is now capable of accommodating second-row passengers as tall as 200cm as well as 194cm adults in the back.

An extra 60mm in the wheelbase is said to ease third-row access, and boot capacity with all three seating rows in use has increased by 20 litres, to 355L, to the top of the rearmost backrests or 470L when loaded to the ceiling.

With the third row flattened, boot space is 890L below the cargo blind or 1350L to the ceiling and 1470L below the backrests or 2400L to the ceiling with both rear rows stowed.

As well as the towing upgrade, GLS owners can order an ‘off-road engineering’ pack that upgrades the all-wheel-drive system to a variable set-up with a low-range transfer case, adds underbody protection and hill-descent control and includes a special off-road mode for the driving style selector.

The GLS450 is powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six turbo-petrol engine with 48-volt mild hybrid system and a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Peak power and torque of 270kW and 500Nm can be temporarily increased by 16kW and 250Nm using the 48V starter-generator that stores energy through regenerative braking to help maintain a constant speed without using the combustion engine during ‘sailing mode’ and helping achieve an official combined-cycle fuel efficiency rating of 9.2 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 3.0-litre straight-six turbo-diesel of the GLS400d produces 243kW and 700Nm, also sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. Its combined-cycle fuel consumption is rated at 7.7L/100km.

Both GLS variants are offered with 10 exterior paint finishes, three leather upholstery colour options and two choices of open-pore wood trim. Three designs of AMG alloy wheel are also available, from 21 to 23 inches in diameter.

The outgoing GLS has been on the market since 2006 when it was called the GL. The current GLS nomenclature was applied with a facelift in 2016.

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs