2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63

Sitting higher in its family hierarchy owing to its high-performance adrenaline, the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 is treated as a standalone trim. It gets a Twin-Turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine which produces a monstrous 603 horses and 627 lb. ft. of torque. Apart from AMG-tuned sport suspension and a powerful V8 motor, the GLS 63 gets a plethora of luxury creature comforts that you would expect at this price range. No wonder, it’s still a Mercedes-Benz S-Class after all.

Model	AMG GLS 63
MSRP	$134,090
Key Features	12.3-inch screen for the infotainment system
	12.3-inch screen for the instrument cluster
	Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
	SiriusXM satellite radio
	Heated first and second-row seating, along with ventilated and massaging front seats.
	Mercedes MBUX system
	Nappa leather upholstery
	Active Park assist
	Blind-spot monitoring
	Surround-view camera
	Adaptive braking technology
	AMG stats display

Which trim should you buy?

The AMG GLS 63 comes in only one trim and there are not many additional options. The AMG GLS 63 is a complete package at $134,090 with robust mechanicals and solid build quality. Along with top-of-the-line opulence, it’s perfectly wrapped in a top-tier performance sheet. 

 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63 Release date

While Mercedes-Benz has already rolled out the 2022 GLS class, uncertainty still surrounds the AMG GLS 63. However, based on previous releases, we do expect the 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63 to go on sale by the end of 2021.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 is likely to carry its familiar 4.0-liter Bi-Turbo V8 engine, under its massive hood, which produces a gut-wrenching 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a 9-speed dual-clutch Tiptronic transmission, power is sent to all four wheels through the standard AMG 4MATIC+ AWD system. The precise electronic witchcraft makes the power delivery absolutely instantaneous even at low rpm ranges with negligible turbo lag.

The monstrosity of the engine is clearly witnessed when the humongous GLS 63 accelerates from 0-60 in a blistering fast 4.1 seconds and can clock at a top speed of 174 MPH. The four-wheel ventilated discs are also ensuring enough to bring this behemoth to a comfortable stop without any hassle. Talking about the gearbox, its butter-smooth precision will make you forget its existence altogether. If you like things a bit more engaging, there’s also a manual mode with paddle-shifters to help you out. 

Models	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63	BMW X7 Alpina XB7	Audi RSQ8	Range Rover Sport SVR
MSRP	$134,090	$141,300	$125,000	$114,500
Engine	4.0L Bi-Turbo V8	4.4L Twin-Turbo V8	4.0L Twin-Turbo V8	5.0L Supercharged V8
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD	AWD	AWD
Transmission	9-speed Tiptronic	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic
Power	603 hp @ 6,500 rpm	612 hp @ 5,500 rpm	591 hp @ 6,000 rpm	518 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	627 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm	590 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm	590 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm	461 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm
0-60 MPH (seconds)	4.1	4.0	3.7	4.3
Quarter-Mile (seconds)	12.0	12.1	12.2	N/A
Top Speed (MPH)	174	180	190	176
60-0 MPH (feet)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

While the AMG GLS 63 is not as quick as the Audi RSQ8 or as powerful as the BMW Alpina XB7, it surely delights with its on-road manners and composure. The GLS 63 doesn’t feel like anything of its size in the department of handling. Despite its sheer size, the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL keeps a check on body movements extremely well. Throw it into a fast-flowing corner at triple-digit speeds, and you would be surprised by the grip and confidence with which it comes out of it. It feels planted on the road even at triple-digit speeds, and if you don’t look at the speedometer, you would be breaking speed limits even before you realize it.

The suspension setup and the all-wheel-drive system of the AMG GLS 63 come with all kinds of electronic trickery which make the AMG GLS 63 absolutely fabulous and rock-solid in handling and stability. The straight-line stability is excellent and the suspension setup completely irons out all the road undulations to give you a supremely comfortable ride. The 4-wheel drive system allows up to 50 percent of the power to be sent to one wheel, which is another reason why the AMG GLS 63 is so well behaved and composed even in high-speed corners. In comparison with its competitors, the Land Rover Range Rover SVR is the only SUV slower than the Mercedes-AMG, while the RSQ8 is the quickest, taking 3.7 seconds to the 60mph mark. 

The monstrous engine of the AMG GLS 63 is definitely a very thirsty one. But still, it manages to deliver 14 MPG in the city and an astonishing 20 MPG on the highway. It returns a combined mileage of 16 MPG. It gets a decent-sized 23.6-gallon fuel tank, which means that the AMG GLS 63 will be able to put a smile on your face for 330 miles straight in the city, and 472 miles on the highway before you need to stop for fuel again. The combined range is 377 miles. The fuel economy is decent for a 7-seater performance SUV. 

Models	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63	BMW X7 Alpina XB7	Audi RSQ8	Range Rover Sport SVR
MPG (City)	14	14	15	17
MPG (Highway)	20	20	19	22
MPG (Combined)	16	16	17	19
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons)	23.6	21.9	22.5	27.6
Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles)	330/472/377	306/438/350	337/427/382	469/607/524

All the SUVs in the competition here, offer comparatively similar fuel economy figures in the city. However, the Range Rover manages to churn out the best fuel economy in the city as well as on the highway even though it has the largest engine – a 5.0L Supercharged V8. It also gets the best-in-class range of 524 miles and is followed by the Audi RSQ8 that manages 382 miles. The BMW and the Merc offer the least fuel economy in the city as well as on the highway because they produce the maximum power and torque figures amongst the competitors. 

With no expected changes over its current 2021 model, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 would continue to delight buyers with its extravagant interiors. Being based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the interior of the GLS is nicely laid out and makes liberal use of soft-touch materials. Exquisite materials like Napa leather, micro-pore wood finishes, suede, carbon fiber, and Alcantara have been used extensively. The fit and finish levels are beyond expectations, and the dashboard layout is so good that it can’t be described in words. 

The large dual screens for the infotainment and the instrument cluster sit snugly on the top of the dash giving it a sort of floating appearance. Below the screens in the center are four rectangle-shaped aircon vents which are finished in brushed aluminum. They sit on a broad strip of micropore polished wood which stretches through the entire length of the dashboard. All the seats are supremely comfortable with good amounts of side bolstering. 

All the seats are clad in soft and plush Napa leather. The front seats are 12-way power-adjustable with memory and massage function. The space is adequate even in the second and third rows. There are adequate cubby holes and bottle holders in the cabin, along with plenty of storage areas. The ergonomics are also spot on. The premium 64-color ambient lighting is another addition to the list of things you can show off to your friends.

Models	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63	BMW X7 Alpina XB7	Audi RSQ8	Range Rover Sport SVR
Seating Capacity	7	7	5	5
Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches)	39.4/59.3/40.3	41.9 /60.8/39.8	37.1/59.5/41.6	39.5/60.7/42.2
Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches)	40.2/58.5/41.9	39.9/58.17/37.6	38.1/58.5/40.2	39.1/59.5/37
Third Row(Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches)	38.9/50.3/34.6	36.6/47.9/33.3	N/A	N/A
Cargo space (cubic feet)	42.7*	48.6*	30.5	27.5

*Behind the second row with the third row folded

Among the pack here, the Mercedes and BMW can seat 7 people. But the Land Rover and the Audi get only 5 seats. The Merc has 42.7 cubic feet of space behind the second-row seats. The third-row seats fold fully flat to the floor at the touch of a button and offer the most practical cargo area. The BMW gets a humongous cargo volume of 48.6 cubic feet, which is also the maximum amongst the competitors, once you have folded the third-row seats. The cargo space of the Range Rover is the least. Key interior features in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63 are:

• 12-way power front seats with memory
• Active multi-contour front seats with massage
• Available rear seats with massage
• 64-color/3-zone LED ambient lighting
• Napa leather upholstery
• AMG Napa leather Performance steering wheel with touch controls

What’s there to keep you entertained?

As in the 2021 model, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 shall continue to feature its twin 12.3-inch touchscreen displays, one for infotainment and another for the configurable instrument cluster. The system runs on Mercedes Benz User Experience or MBUX in short. The unit supports both Apple CarPlay and Android auto. It also gets a host of steering-mounted touch controls. The graphics on both displays are crisp and of high resolution. It uses augmented reality tech in the navigation system that uses the forward-facing camera to show exactly where to turn, and it can also display addresses.

There is also an AMG-specific page that shows engine statistics, graphical information, and split-second drag race competition figures. You also get information regarding acceleration, braking, pitch, roll, and steering angle. It also gets an AMG-engine information page that displays temperatures and your average fuel consumption. Moreover, there's an 11-speaker Burmester 3D premium audio system. Key infotainment features in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63 are:

• 12.3-inch MBUX infotainment system
• 12.3-inch customizable instrument cluster
• Android Auto Apple CarPlay
• Voice input and recognition
• 11-speaker Burmeister premium audio system

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 is a humongous but handsome-looking beast. The 2022 model may get a redesigned front end with a wider and more massive Panamericana Grille, like the AMG GT63. The overall look is bold and aggressive. The hood slopes towards the front, and with the sleek Bi-function projector headlamps, the front end of the AMG GLS 63 really looks like the outrageously aggressive face. The LED tail lamps are sleek and enhance the rear look. The sharp cuts and creases on the hood and the shoulder line increase its road presence. The overall fit and finish levels are extremely good. The paint quality is also excellent.

The AMG GLS 63 will let you know of its AMG heart from every angle. It gets a fully functional quad exhaust, a subtle but sleek roofline lip spoiler at the rear, massive 23-inch AMG-specific alloy wheels, and a rear diffuser. Though the diffuser is not functional and is only a cosmetic enhancement. The roof rails which run through the entire length of the roof are functional and can bear a load. The massive panoramic sunroof is spectacular and runs from the front, all the way to the back.

Models	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63	BMW X7 Alpina XB7	Audi RSQ8	Range Rover Sport SVR
Curb Weight (lbs)	5,927	5,950	5,300	5,121
Length (inches)	206.4	203.3	197.3	192.1
Width (inches)	79.9	78.7	78.7	78.1
Height (inches)	70.2	70.7	67.2	71
Ground Clearance (inches)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Wheelbase (inches)	123.4	122.2	118.0	115.1

In terms of the competition here, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR has the shortest wheelbase amongst the competition of 115.1 inches and is also the shortest. The Mercedes is the longest, and also has the longest wheelbase on offer and is almost 8 inches longer than the Range Rover. The Mercedes-AMG is the largest vehicle on the list and also has loads of road presence. On the other hand, the BMW Alpina XB7 is the heaviest SUV weighing 5,950 lbs, while the Audi is one of the smaller vehicles on offer here. Key exterior features in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63 are:

• Bi-Function projector headlights
• LED matrix tail lights
• 23” AMG specific alloy wheels
• Large Panoramic Sunroof
• Functional-Quad Exhausts

Though the NHTSA and IIHS have not tested the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63, safety should not be a concern because other vehicles from the manufacturer have been tested and many have been awarded five stars. The AMG GLS 63 has got a complete safety net of electronics to watch your back. 

It also has Frontal, Side, Knee, and Rollover airbags, along with an all-around camera system, Predictive braking, emergency sensing system, Blind Spot assist, forward collision mitigation, and attention assist. It also gets seat belts with pretensioners. It also features a semi-autonomous driving mode. Key safety features in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63 are:

• Automated emergency braking, with a pedestrian detection system
• Attention Assist
• Intelligent Light System headlamps & Adaptive Highbeam Assist
• Crosswind, Blind Spot & Lane Keeping Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Active Parking Assist
• Surround View System

2022 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 vs 2021 BMW X7 Alpina XB7 

The GLS 63 is absolutely a behemoth in dimensions compared to the BMW X7. The Mercedes is more luxurious, opulent, and comfortable than the BMW and at the same time, it offers mind-boggling performance from its monstrous Bi-Turbo V8. The Mercedes also has a more sophisticated suspension setup and a more futuristic infotainment system. However, the final nail in the coffin for the BMW is that the Mercedes costs around $7,000 less than the BMW.

2022 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 vs 2022 Audi RSQ8

The Audi RSQ8 is quicker off the line than the Merc and it has hit a higher top speed. The Audi also has a futuristic infotainment system and premium interiors, but nothing can match the opulence and luxury of the Mercedes. The Audi is also a very incredible handling machine, but the Mercedes surprises more with its handling abilities. The Mercedes makes more power and torque than the Audi and the pops and bangs from the AMG exhaust are bliss to the ears. The Mercedes also has more space for passengers as well as luggage. The Merc can seat 7 while the Audi will only be able to seat 5. All this justifies Merc’s higher price tag and makes Merc the clear winner in this comparison.

2022 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 vs 2021 Range Rover Sport SVR

The Range Rover Sport SVR comes with a masterpiece of a motor – the 5.0 L Supercharged V8 which is tremendously fun to drive. The SVR is also very practical with a large cargo area, and it offers legendary off-road capabilities. It also features a decent infotainment system and the interiors are supremely comfortable. But nothing comes close when the AMG GLS 63 comes into the comparison. But Land Rover has done the math and has hit the ball out of the park with the pricing. And so, when the pricing comes into play, the Range Rover SVR suddenly makes more sense than the GLS 63 AMG because it offers tremendous value for money. At $114,500 the Range Rover SVR is $20,000 cheaper than the Mercedes.

The new Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63 is a monster, packs in a lot of power, and offers a great driving experience. It handles like nothing in its class, despite being absolutely massive. It has well laid out, luxurious and opulent interiors with bang-on ergonomics. The acceleration is bewildering while the suspension setup leaves you completely unaware of the road conditions and the interiors cocoon you in luxury and comfort. 

It is practical with usable third-row seats, and even with all 7 seats up, you will have plenty of space left for your luggage. The AMG GLS 63 is the ultimate mile-muncher, an intercontinental ballistic missile that will take you thousands of miles without any fatigue and in utmost comfort. The AMG GLS 63 is truly the “S-Class” of SUVs and earns an absolute buy recommendation.