Mercedes GLS

Which Mercedes GLS Version Should You Buy?

The Mercedes GLS choice depends on whether you value lower fuel consumption, stronger torque, quicker acceleration, or the newest specifications. Among the listed versions, the first-generation GLS350d and GLS 350d use the least fuel at 7.6 L/100 km combined, while the restyled second-generation GLS580 4.0 AT EQ Boost 4Matic is the quickest at 4.9 seconds from 0–100 km/h.

The Mercedes GLS choice depends on whether you value lower fuel consumption, stronger torque, quicker acceleration, or the newest specifications. Among the listed versions, the first-generation GLS350d and GLS 350d use the least fuel at 7.6 L/100 km combined, while the restyled second-generation GLS580 4.0 AT EQ Boost 4Matic is the quickest at 4.9 seconds from 0–100 km/h. The restyled GLS450d 3.0 AT 4Matic supplies the most torque at 750 Nm. Every listed version has an Automatic 9-speed gearbox, AWD, Turbo charging, independent pneumatic suspension and ventilated disc brakes at both ends. Prices, sale listings, engine-oil capacity, reliability and engine life are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot determine this comparison.

Mercedes GLS generations: what changed?

The first generation ran from November 2015 through April 2019 as an SUV 5-doors and has five listed versions. Its range includes 2,987–4,663 cc engines, 249–455 hp, 480–700 Nm, 7.6–12.4 L/100 km combined consumption and 100-litre tanks. All five versions have 216 mm of ground clearance.

The second generation ran from April 2019 through March 2023 as an SUV 5-doors and also has five listed versions. Engine displacement ranges from 2,925 to 3,982 cc, output from 286 to 489 hp, and torque from 500 to 700 Nm. Combined consumption spans 8.1–11.2 L/100 km, while tank capacity falls to 90 litres. Ground clearance is 200 mm where measured; it is not measured for GLS400d 3.0 AT 4Matic and GLS350d 3.0 AT 4Matic.

The second-generation restyling starts in April 2023 and contains five listed versions. It offers 313–517 hp and 500–750 Nm from engines of 2,925–3,982 cc. Combined consumption ranges from 8.1 to 14.1 L/100 km, with a 90-litre tank and 200 mm ground clearance throughout. A second restyling starts in April 2026, remains an SUV 5-doors and has no listed versions, so its engine, performance, economy, dimensions and weight are not measured.

Mercedes GLS engine specs

For output relative to displacement, the strongest result is the restyled GLS580 4.0 AT EQ Boost 4Matic at approximately 129.8 hp per litre. The earlier GLS580 4.0 AT EQ Boost 4Matic produces approximately 122.8 hp per litre, while the restyled GLS450 3.0 AT EQ Boost 4Matic reaches approximately 127.0 hp per litre. Among the restyled diesels, GLS450d 3.0 AT 4Matic delivers approximately 122.8 hp per litre and also leads the entire supplied range with 750 Nm.

Performance and fuel economy

The first-generation GLS500 4.7 AT 4Matic and the 2019–2023 GLS580 4.0 AT EQ Boost 4Matic both reach 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, but the latter uses 1.3 L/100 km less combined fuel and produces 34 hp more. The restyled GLS580 improves acceleration by another 0.4 seconds and gains 28 hp and 30 Nm over its predecessor, although combined consumption increases by 4.1 L/100 km.

For diesel buyers, the 2019–2023 GLS400d 3.0 AT 4Matic is 0.7 seconds quicker than GLS350d 3.0 AT 4Matic while their combined consumption is identical at 8.1 L/100 km. It also adds 44 hp and 100 Nm. The restyled GLS450d 3.0 AT 4Matic is 0.2 seconds quicker than the restyled GLS400d 2.9 AT 4Matic, adds 37 hp and 50 Nm, and consumes 0.3 L/100 km more combined.

Mercedes GLS weight, ground clearance and practical specs

The lightest listed GLS is the restyled GLS400d 2.9 AT 4Matic at 2,430 kg. The heaviest are both GLS580 4.0 AT EQ Boost 4Matic versions at 2,545 kg. Weight relative to output favors the restyled GLS580 at approximately 4.92 kg per hp; the earlier GLS580 records approximately 5.20 kg per hp, and the first-generation GLS500 records approximately 5.37 kg per hp. Body length, width, height and wheelbase are not measured for any version, so a numerical Mercedes GLS dimensions comparison is not possible from this data.

Which Mercedes GLS version is the best choice?

For the lowest recorded combined consumption, choose a first-generation GLS350d 3.0 AT 4Matic or GLS 350d 3.0 AT 4Matic. Both return 7.6 L/100 km, produce 620 Nm and reach 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. The GLS 350d has 258 hp, which is 9 hp more than the 249 hp GLS350d, with the same listed kerb weight and consumption.

For the strongest balance of diesel performance and economy, the 2019–2023 GLS400d 3.0 AT 4Matic stands out. Its 330 hp and 700 Nm deliver 0–100 km/h in 6.3 seconds at 8.1 L/100 km combined. The restyled GLS400d 2.9 AT 4Matic preserves those acceleration, torque and consumption figures while weighing 75 kg less, although its listed output is 330 hp and 242 kW rather than 330 hp and 243 kW.

For maximum diesel torque, choose the restyled GLS450d 3.0 AT 4Matic. Its 750 Nm exceeds every other listed version by at least 20 Nm, and its 367 hp matches the output of the 2019–2023 367 hp GLS450 while using 8.4 rather than 9.4 L/100 km combined. Both have 2,505 kg or less of kerb weight, but the diesel is 60 kg heavier than that GLS450.

For gasoline performance without selecting the largest engine, the restyled GLS450 3.0 AT EQ Boost 4Matic provides 381 hp, 500 Nm and 0–100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. Compared with the 2019–2023 367 hp version, it gains 14 hp, cuts 0.1 seconds from the acceleration time and raises top speed from 246 to 250 km/h, while combined consumption rises from 9.4 to 11.7 L/100 km.

For outright acceleration and the best weight-to-power figure, choose the restyled GLS580 4.0 AT EQ Boost 4Matic. It combines 517 hp, 730 Nm, 4.9-second acceleration and approximately 4.92 kg per hp. Its trade-off is the range’s highest measured combined consumption at 14.1 L/100 km and joint-highest kerb weight at 2,545 kg.

No evidence-based recommendation can be made here for a GLS600, GLS 63 AMG, GLS 63 or any 2026 second-restyling powertrain because those versions have no specifications in the supplied data. Prices and vehicles for sale are also not measured, so the final buying decision should be based on the engine, performance, consumption and weight comparisons above rather than an invented cost estimate.