Mercedes GL-Class SUV has been an outstanding luxury SUV since the beginning. The 2017 GLS450 represents a refreshing of the model, with a new name, an interior that鈥檚 even more refined than before, as well as some new sheet metal. If you want more about what鈥檚 new in this latest version of the ultimate luxe-SUV vehicle, read on. One of the first things that stands out about the 2017 GLS450 is that, when it claims to seat seven, we鈥檙e not talking about four adults and three kids. We鈥檙e actually talking about sufficient space for seven full-grown human beings, each of which will experience sufficient leg room and, for the most part, plenty of personal space. Not only can you fit those seven adults, you can do so while towing a camper or boat without feeling like you鈥檙e all over the road, or that the vehicle is floating. The changes to the GL-class are relatively minor from the outside.

Mercedes GL-Class SUV has been an outstanding luxury SUV since the beginning. The 2017 GLS450 represents a refreshing of the model, with a new name, an interior that鈥檚 even more refined than before, as well as some new sheet metal. If you want more about what鈥檚 new in this latest version of the ultimate luxe-SUV vehicle, read on. One of the first things that stands out about the 2017 GLS450 is that, when it claims to seat seven, we鈥檙e not talking about four adults and three kids. We鈥檙e actually talking about sufficient space for seven full-grown human beings, each of which will experience sufficient leg room and, for the most part, plenty of personal space. Not only can you fit those seven adults, you can do so while towing a camper or boat without feeling like you鈥檙e all over the road, or that the vehicle is floating. The changes to the GL-class are relatively minor from the outside.

You will notice new sheetmetal out ahead of the vehicle鈥檚 A-pillar, as well as a restyled rear bumper. The front of the vehicle features a new fascia that looks much sportier than before. The AMG version of the 2017 GLS450 brings this to a whole new level, exaggerating the look even more. Mercedes is known for, among other things, offering plenty of options to its customers. The 2017 GLS450 has as many options as you can afford to get. From Adaptive cruise control to collision warning with autonomous braking to blind spot and lane-keeping assist, you鈥檒l rarely feel like there鈥檚 anything you could add to this vehicle. This is a 2-and-a-half-ton vehicle. As such, you would think that this would be a bit of a lumbering hulk. 鈥淔inesse鈥?isn鈥檛 generally the word that comes to mind with this class of vehicle. Yet, when you actually get behind the wheel, you鈥檒l notice that your assumptions were more than a bit off-base. The standard suspension on this model is a computer-controlled air suspension.

Mercedes Airmatic technology makes the ride comfortable and isolated without losing handling in the process. This model is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The engine pushes out 362 horsepower and 359 pound-feet of torque. The GLS550 and the AMG GLS63, the upgraded versions of this vehicle, will give you a bit beefier twin-turbocharged V-8 with 449 hp and 577 hp, respectively. Mercedes is also accommodating to its customers who prefer diesel, offering a V6 turbocharged diesel in the GLS350d model. This one gives you 255 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque. The engine is supported by a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission. The AMG model has a 7g-Tronic speedshift seven-speed auto. Also like other Mercedes vehicles, the GLS uses its Dynamic Select system to help with performance. IT offers various ride modes, including sport, comfort, slippery, off-road and individual. The steering is stiffer than previous models, and the throttle is more responsive. The ride height is a bit lower, making the vehicle much handier on dry pavement in warm conditions. It鈥檚 particularly peppy when it鈥檚 in sport mode. The slippery mode helps to control traction, while the comfort mode does its best to pump up the air ride and eliminate the bounce and shake of the road. Even long trips aren鈥檛 likely to cause too much ride fatigue. If you鈥檙e looking for a luxury SUV, you can鈥檛 go wrong with the 2017 Mercedes GLS450. MB of South Charlotte can help you customize the right GLS450 for your dreams.

Fold the second and third rows, and you鈥檝e got up to 93.8 cubic feet of storage back there. Admittedly, I did fold the third row when I discovered the cargo area was quite small when the third row was in use. I needed the grocery space. Thankfully, stowing the third row is as easy as pressing a button just inside the cargo hatch. It whirrs away, creating a large, flat load floor in an instant. Overall, I鈥檇 call that package money well spent. I was disappointed, however, that the package did not include Android Auto integration in addition to Apple CarPlay. I test drove a Mercedes-AMG CLA45 about a year ago that had both. Why isn鈥檛 it available in this, 鈥渢he S Class of SUVs,鈥?as Mercedes calls it? Also equal parts pleasing and confounding was the center console-mounted infotainment control device. There鈥檚 a large dial that is used to scroll through options on the infotainment screen, but there鈥檚 also a touchpad that arches up over the dial. But the touchpad鈥檚 handwriting recognition feature was a delight when trying to pull up phone contacts 鈥?a feature I鈥檝e experienced in several other luxury marques.

I came away thinking Audi does this better than Mercedes-Benz, with the touchpad integrated into the top of the dial and an easier-to-navigate infotainment system. Mercedes-Benz mbrace mobile connectivity reportedly is available to owners of the GLS450. It offers a range of smartphone-connected features, including remote locking and start access, vehicle locating and tracking, remote diagnostics, and in-vehicle services such as Yelp and local search. The GM twins are longer than the GLS450 by 22 inches, but they鈥檙e significantly less comfortable than the big Merc, especially if you ever have to haul people in that third row. In a nutshell, the pickup truck-based underpinnings of the GM twins make them a lot less pleasing to drive. The GLS450 is a relative pleasure on a curvy road compared to the big 鈥楤urban. 68,700), there鈥檚 a lot of additional content in the Mercedes that makes it worth it. The standard air suspension makes every GLS450 better-driving than even the best-equipped Suburban or Yukon XL.