Not long after unveiling an updated S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has now unveiled an all-new “S-Class of SUVs.”

The automaker revealed a new GLS, the company’s flagship three-row sport utility vehicle, which is gaining a whole lot more tech, comfort features and increased power.

Canadian market details have yet to be provided, but globally the updated SUV will be available with four powertrains. These include the GLS 580, GLS 450, GLS 450d and GLS 350d. The two models with the d in the name are diesel powered. All versions have 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

Canadians will likely have access to the gasoline-powered varieties.

What’s new

The large GLS gets updated design, including a larger grille, a whole lot more tech, improved comfort and more.

The company said the new model embodies a contemporary vision of luxury, comfort and digital intelligence.

Ride tech

Every GLS comes standard with 10 exterior cameras and up to five radar and 12 ultrasonic sensors to capture the vehicle’s surroundings.

These sensors work with the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). Artificial intelligence processes the data to assess the traffic situation.

This information supports the vehicle’s MB.Drive Assist and MB.Drive Assist Plus technologies for driver assistance features. China will also have MB.Drive Assist Pro, which provides point-to-point driving, but this is not yet allowed in Canada.

The SUV also has a new Digital Light with micro-LED technology.

This lighting system offers a lighting field that is 40 per cent greater, and enables increased high beam brightness, while also consuming less energy than the previous GLS’s bulbs. These new bulbs are also lighter.

The high beams offer a range of up to 600 metres and can swivel.

The system is also intelligent and can detect other poorly lit road users so that it doesn’t blast them with the powerful high beams.

Comfort

Mercedes-Benz worked to improve the comfort levels of its flagship SUV.

The vehicle’s E-Active Body Control responds predicatively to any driving situation, the automaker said. The system relies on five multi-core processors and more than 20 sensors.

It is able to analyze the driving situation 1,000 times per second and adapt the cloud-based Airmatic air suspension system as needed.

The automaker’s Car-to-X cloud-based technology also allows the vehicle to receive road information from other Mercedes vehicles travelling ahead of it.

Customers can select driving modes from comfort to sporty, which will adjust the spring and damper forces at each wheel. The suspension can also keep the vehicle level, regardless of load.

The system can also lower or raise the vehicle, such as if it’s needed for improved ground clearance.

Mercedes-Benz said noise, vibration and harshness has been further reduced through additional insulation and other methods.

Interior tech

The GLS gets the MBUX Superscreen, which can be customized with different background motifs.

Owners can select a variety of styles, from calm to intense, cold to warm and more.

The screen is comprised of three 12.3-inch displays, all under one glass.

More than 40 apps are currently available, including audio, video and gaming services.

An optional 3D driver display is available.

The MB.OS features an intelligent companion, which Mercedes-Benz said can think, learn and evolve with the driver. The operating system also controls every aspect of the vehicle. The system uses a powerful computer with AI and is connected to the company’s cloud.

Rear-seat passengers get two 11.6-inch HD displays with HD cameras for video conferencing. The rear displays can be controlled via touchscreen or optional, removable remotes.

These remotes can also be used to control the air conditioning, window blinds and the settings of the Rear Comfort Package Plus.

Rear-seat space

The GLS is the company’s largest SUV, measuring 5,207 millimetres long and 1,956 millimetres wide.

The company said all three rows of seats are fully electrically adjustable and provide ample space. The company said the two third-row seats can comfortably seat people up to 1.94 metres (six feet four inches) tall.

An Easy Entry function provides access to the third row.

Even the third-row seats have optional heat function and USB charging ports.

The GLS also has optional five-zone air conditioning, so that occupants in the third row can set their own desired temperature.

The available Rear Comfort Package Plus adds multi-contour seats with Pro massage function, the previously mentioned removable MBUX remotes, Thermotronic automatic climate control, electric sun blinds in the second and third rows and other features.

Every GLS now gets a large panoramic roof.

Powertrains

Canadians aren’t likely to get the diesel models, but we should get access to the two gasoline models.

The GLS 450 features a 3-litre inline six-cylinder engine with 375 hp and 413 lb.-ft. of torque. An on-board electric motor provides 23 hp and 151 lb.-ft. for electrified support.

The GLS 580 features a flat plan crank 4-litre V8 engine with 530 hp and 553 lb.-ft. of torque. It gets the same mild hybrid support as the GLS 450.

Look for the new GLS to arrive for the 2027 model year.

For updates, visit the Mercedes-Benz Canada website.

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