2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 comes in a single trim, marking the entry to the standard GLS series preceding the GLS 580. The base prices for this SUV start at around $75,950. This 2020 GLS 450 will come boasting a forced induction engine with mild hybrid assistance, while the transmission duties are taken care of by the 9-speed G-Tronic unit. All models come with standard air suspension and a 4-MATIC all-wheel-drive system, while the new Mercedes E-Active body control system comes only as an option. The 2020 GLS 450 comes packed with every luxury and creature comfort feature in the book.

For starters, the GLS finally offers the dual-screen setup that has been adorning the dashboard on the S-class since the advent of the W222 generation. This SUV has been well taken care of in the equipment department and comes loaded with all sorts of interior and exterior equipment including full digital instrumentation/infotainment, multi-zone climate control, power controls seats, steering and mirror, leatherette upholstery, premium audio system, advanced driver assistance systems and so on. All said, standout features like premium full-leather upholstery, ventilated seats, power rear sunshades, and a 4-zone climate control system still comes as a part of an optional package even at this price.

Which trim should you buy?

Being a standalone trim in the line-up, the 2020 GLS 450 will not be offered any sort of trims to choose from. Mercedes does offer optional packages including an Executive Rear Seat Package and a convenience package. The former package brings in features like plush rear seats with ventilation and massage functions, a tablet controller for the infotainment system, and a wireless charging pad while the Convenience Package adds a four-zone climate control system, ventilated front seats, and rear power window blinds.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 comes sporting a 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 gasoline engine working in tandem with a 48-volt mild-hybrid unit. The entire system is good for about 362hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The power is sent to a quick-shifting 9-speed G-Tronic transmission with a drive sent to all four wheels. There is enough punch from the engine on the tap of the throttle as most of the torque starts kicking in from revs as low as 1600 rpm. 

The gain in pace and traction is effortless thanks to the slick gearbox and the 4-Matic AWD system. The 2020 GLS 450 does an impressive 0-60 run in 5.5 seconds which is very impressive for a 5400 pound SUV. The quarter-mile times come up in just 14.1 seconds at 99 mph while the top speed is limited to 152 miles an hour. The inline-6 on the 450 surprisingly feels smoother than the V8 on the higher 580 variants, while still retaining similar levels of peppy nature. In all, the 2020 GLS 450 never felt down on power and the overall performance is on par or sometimes even better than the competition.

The Audi Q7, being the lightest car here, snatches a win in the 0-60mph run, posting a class-leading time of 5.3 seconds. The quarter-mile also comes in just 13.7 seconds, which yet again is the best-in-class. The BMW and the Mercedes do come close in the 60 mph sprint but fall back in the quarter-mile run. The Lexus GX 460, being the least powerful car here, posted the slowest 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds. The absence of a turbocharger and the crude 6-speed automatic really bottlenecks the Lexus when it comes to performance.

How well does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 handle?

 The2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 comes out as a balanced package when it comes to the dynamics front. We wouldn’t call it the best, but it does feel rather involving when the paces are kept moderate. It is definitely not as hot on its heels as saying something like the BMW X7, but there is enough flexibility to the chassis to have a fun time behind the wheel. Talking about the wheel, it is not the most feedback-rich unit we have come across, but it definitely feels direct and effortless.

 The standard auto-leveling air suspension is such a good performer when it comes to flattening the ride but there is no taking away from the mass, especially when entering a corner hot. There is a noticeable amount of body roll but that is something we all expect from a 5,400-pound luxury behemoth running on bags. That said, there is no compromise when it comes to chassis stability and the overall ride is as solid as it gets in this class.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 Braking Performance

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 comes with ventilated rotors at all four ends with the front pair measuring in at 14.8-inches while the rear axles get one size lower, at 13.6-inches. There is enough braking performance as this 5,400 pound SUV does come to a complete halt within just 113-feet. There is a lack of bite initially, but once the calipers hook up, there is a quick and progressive shed in speed. There is a bit of a nosedive on hard braking but the onboard electronics keep everything in check in case something goes out of hand.

BMW has no official data on the size of the braking hardware on use in the X7, but the real-world tests show that it is the best in class. Registering a 105-feet stop from 60mph, the X7 stops at least 8-feet before the second-best in its segment despite weighing in close to 5,400 pounds. The GLS450 comes a close second with a stopping distance of 113 feet while the dated Lexus takes a monstrous 131 feet for the same. Even though official braking data on the Audi Q7 is unavailable, we assume that its class-biggest hardware and lightweight chassis should enable it to perform similarly or even better than the GLS 450.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 comes out with an EPA-certified figure of 21 mpg in a combined driving cycle, which is pretty impressive for its category. The best economy figure declared is about 23 mpg on the highways while the in-city figures drop down to 19. With a biggest-in-class 23.8-gallon gas tank, the 2020 GLS 450 is good for around 500 miles of real-world driving range, while you could squeeze out around 547 miles on the highways when on lightfoot. We don’t see any real advantage with the mild-hybrid system but the big gas tank is surely helping out here.

The BMW X7 manages the best economy figures in this segment, returning about 22 mpg in a combined cycle. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 does follow close in individual figures and its bigger fuel tank even helps it to beat the BMW when it comes to the overall tank range. The Audi does fall a bit back when it comes to mpg figures but regains ground with its decent-sized fuel tank. The Lexus GX460 meanwhile, drops to the back of the pack with an unimpressive 16 mpg combined figure probably owing to its higher displacement engine and crude transmission with lesser ratios to play with, in comparison.

If there is one thing that Mercedes-Benz has nailed with the launch of the new generation of GLS 450, then it has to be the interior of this SUV. Gone are the decade-old technology and layout for a new and futuristic setup directly taken over from its luxury sedan equivalent. This was an update that was long in due and finally, the GLS gets it in its 2020 avatar. The insides receive a complete overhaul and the dual 12.3-inch screens and the capacitive touch steering controls themselves add a sophisticated feel to the entire cabin.

While the cabin seats 7 people as standard, you can opt for the captain chair Executive Rear seat package separately. The front seats are 8-way powered with 4-way lumbar and also support memory functions as well. They offer around 59.3-inches of shoulder room and 40.3-inches of legroom, which is sufficient for any kind of stature. Even the third rows offer around 34.6-inches of legroom. Creature comfort tech like multi-zone climate control system, heated front seats, and memory seating for the seats, steering, and mirrors are a part of the standard kit. There is a 17.4-cu-ft cargo hold behind the third rows but when they are not in use, you could excavate around 42.7 cu-ft of the luggage area.

The Audi Q7 is the SUV that offers the best overall cabin space here, noticeably in the first and second row. Its 14.2 cu-ft cargo hold behind the third rows is also very capacious. The X7 does offer the best shoulder room on the front row but lacks legroom in the first front rows and also has one of the tiniest cargo areas. The 2020 GLS 450 finds decent amounts of room in the cabin and also sports the biggest cargo area. The Lexus GX460, being dimensionally small, lacks the kind of usable cabin and cargo space seen in competition. Some standout interior features of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450;

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch infotainment system
• Multi-zone climate control
• 8-way power front seats with 4-way lumbar and heating function
• Leather-wrapped/ metal finish power tilt/telescope steering wheel
• MB-Tex leatherette upholstery (Full leather available)
• Driver seats, steering, and exterior mirror memory function

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 comes with the new MBUX system which sports a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, SiriusXM, and voice activation come embedded in the system. You also get an MB navigation system with live traffic updates for this year. Steering wheel-mounted controls and available* 9-USB ports add additional convenience. This unit also comes with a 590-watt 13-speaker Burmester Premium Audio system as standard. The user interface is one of the smoothest and intuitive that we have come across and with potent electronic driving hardware under the hood, we expect it to perform slick for time being as well. That said, the touchpad controller is a bit messed up and is an addition no one asked for. Some standout infotainment features of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450;

• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with latest MBUX
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• SiriusXM and Bluetooth hands-free
• MB Navigation with real-time traffic updates
• Steering mounted controls and voice activation support
• 13-speaker 590-watt Burmester premium Audio System

The exterior design of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 is upright, sleek, and purposeful. It is not the sportiest looking SUVs out there but it really stands out with its huge proportions that scream presence. The sharp line gets an omission for a curvy and aerodynamic bodywork, which at a glance makes it feel visibly smaller than the previous generation though it is not dimensionally. The 18-inch wheels do look a bit out of place on such a big SUV, but there is always an option to go for the 20 or 21-inch optional units.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 gets full Led exterior lighting. The front gets projector headlamps and running lights with auto on/off and dimming functions. The exterior mirrors are power operated and get auto-dimming and heating functions as standard. Other standard features include a power tilt/sliding sunroof, hands-free/proximity sensing tailgate operation, rear fog lamps, and rain-sensing intermittent wipers. AIRMATIC suspension is also a standard feature and it can be opted with an E-active body control system as well, for added versatility.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 is the longest SUV here and boasts the longest wheelbase as well, which helps it excavate great cabin room and class-leading cargo space. This also makes it the heaviest of the lot. The X7 is the widest car here and the abundant shoulder room it offers inside is a result of this. The Q7 is wider than the GLS and is also the lightest SUV of the pack, but the lack of length and wheelbase limits its third row and cargo capacity. The Lexus GX 460 is the smallest car here and this puts constraints on the usable room in this SUV. Some standout exterior features of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450;

• 18-inch twin 5-spoke alloy wheels
• LED projector headlamps with DRLs/LED tail lamps
• Front cornering lights/ rear fog lights
• Power sliding and tilting sunroof
• Power-folding, heated, and auto-dimming exterior mirrors
• Rain-sensing intermittent wipers

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 does not get any official crash safety rating from the NHTSA or the IIHS. But, Mercedes has packed the car with every passive safety system in the book and a decent list of driver assistance features. Disappointingly adaptive cruise control system, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist functions are still offered as optional packages at this price. Some standout safety features of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450;

• Active parking assist with parking sensors
• Blindspot assist
• Auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Front collision mitigation
• Ariel view camera
• Driver monitoring and alert system

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450vs 2020 BMW X7 xDrive 40i

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 and the BMW X7 are priced almost identically. While the GLS 450 boasts a powerful engine, the X7 matches its performance with its lightweight chassis. The X7 is the better handling SUV here and also extracts slightly better fuel economy figures due to the same aspect. All said one could not go wrong with calling the GLS 450 a slightly more opulent and technology-rich SUV here. The Merc also offers better ride comfort, cabin space, and cargo room. Both SUVs do showcase their own highs-lows and choosing one would definitely boil down to either personal requirements or brand preferences.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 vs 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI

The 2020 Audi Q7 starts at a much lower base price and the lightweight chassis does help it to perform better as well. Unfortunately, this class is one place where outright performance is outweighed by luxury and in this regard, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 stands head and shoulders high over the Audi. Unsurprisingly, the higher base price of the GLS 450 also brings in a whole lot more standard equipment and features than the Q7. With comparable levels of performance, more usable interior space, better technology, and higher tank ranges, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 should come out as the better pick even with the premium it commands.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450vs 2020 Lexus GX 460

Simply put, the 2020 Lexus GX 460 is an old car dressed up in a new set of clothing. It might start at a lower price tag and boast a bigger V8 engine, but with its crude 6-speed auto and lazy chassis, it is nowhere as fast or fun to drive as the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450. Its big V8 is far less economical and the tiny fuel tank doesn’t help improve things either. Even though the luxury levels are comparable, the layout and technology offered on the Lexus look last-gen in front of the Mercedes. The Lexus is also constrained when it comes to cabin and cargo room as well. Other than the slightly lower starting prices, there are no reasons to consider the GX460 over the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450.

The Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 is the SUV that defines the luxury segment and has been one of the most favored picks among German competitors. The new 2020 model year update brings in the much-wanted tech and styling upgrades that make its case even better for prospective buyers now. The engine is refined and punchy, while the ride stays cushy yet poised. There is lots of room inside the cabin and the comfort levels are just plain excellent. Except for its slightly high asking value when compared to the competition, we see nothing going against the GLS450 and it sure as hell is an absolute all-rounder luxury machine.