2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS

2021 is the second US model year of the X167 generation (launched 2020) and largely a carry-over. The volume GLS 450's 3.0L turbo inline-six with 48V EQ Boost makes 362 hp, and the V8 GLS 580, AMG GLS 63 and Maybach GLS 600 add more power above it.

The GLS 450's turbo I6 makes 369 lb-ft, and EQ Boost adds up to 184 lb-ft for short bursts. The V8 trims make far more.

Mercedes quotes 5.9 s for the GLS 450, and MotorWeek's instrumented 5.3 s shows that figure is conservative. Either is quick for a roughly 5,600-lb three-row SUV.

Reviewers describe the turbo I6 with integrated starter-generator as silky. EQ Boost fills in low-rpm response and engine stop-start is nearly imperceptible.

The 9G-TRONIC nine-speed shifts smoothly and picks gears sensibly, with occasional part-throttle kickdown hesitation at low speed.

Rated to tow 7,700 lbs when properly equipped. That is strong for a unibody luxury three-row, though below the body-on-frame Escalade and Navigator ratings.

4MATIC all-wheel drive is standard on every 2021 GLS, paired with Dynamic Select drive modes and AIRMATIC air suspension. An optional off-road package adds off-road programs and underbody protection.

AIRMATIC can raise ride height and the off-road package adds terrain programs and protection, so light trails are fine. There is no low range or locker, so it is no match for a Range Rover or LX off-road.

There are four distinct gas powertrains (I6 mild-hybrid 450, V8 mild-hybrid 580, AMG GLS 63, and the Maybach GLS 600 new for 2021), all with 48V assist. The US gets no diesel, PHEV or EV GLS.

The 48V mild-hybrid I6 GLS 450 is EPA-rated at 21 MPG combined for 2021. The V8 trims are lower.

EPA city rating of 20 MPG for the volume trim.

EPA highway rating of 24 MPG for the volume trim.

EPA does not publish a range for gas vehicles, so this is derived as EPA combined 21 MPG × the 23.8-gallon (90 L) tank. That is a long range for the class.

EPA's annual fuel cost estimate for the GLS 450 is high, driven by modest economy and the premium-fuel requirement.

Every 2021 GLS requires premium unleaded; there is no regular-fuel or flex-fuel option.

NHTSA has an entry for the 2021 GLS-Class SUV 4WD, but its overall, frontal, side and rollover ratings all read 'Not Rated'. Under the framework that is value 0 (never rated).

IIHS has never crash-tested the X167 GLS, so there is no TSP/TSP+ award and no individual crashworthiness result for 2021. It shares the MHA platform with the GLE and has no known structural concerns, but with no published results it cannot score higher.

On the 2021 GLS 450, Active Brake Assist (forward collision warning with AEB and pedestrian detection), passive Blind Spot Assist and PRE-SAFE are standard. DISTRONIC adaptive cruise, Active Steering Assist, lane keeping and the active blind-spot and lane-change functions come only in the optional Driver Assistance Package (about $1,950), and NHTSA lists lane departure warning as not standard.

IIHS has published no front crash prevention result for the GLS. The standard Active Brake Assist with pedestrian detection uses the same hardware family as the GLE and other current Mercedes models, which have rated well, so this score is inferred from them.

Blind Spot Assist, including an exit warning for opening doors, is standard. The active version, which brakes one side of the car to stop a lane change, and the cross-traffic braking functions come with the optional Driver Assistance Package.

NHTSA lists lane departure warning as not standard on the 2021 GLS. Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Steering Assist come in the optional Driver Assistance Package. When fitted, reviewers rate the centering as smooth on well-marked highways.

The optional DISTRONIC Active Distance Assist covers the full speed range with Active Stop-and-Go Assist and route-based speed adaptation, and it ranks among the more refined systems in the class. It is not standard in 2021, so a base GLS 450 can be bought without adaptive cruise, which holds the score down.

The 2021 GLS has no hands-free highway driving: Active Steering Assist requires hands on the wheel. Mercedes' DRIVE PILOT came later and only on the S-Class and EQS sedan. The 2021 Escalade offers Super Cruise.

LED headlights are standard on the 2021 GLS and MULTIBEAM LED adaptive lighting is optional. IIHS has not rated the GLS headlights, so the score stays below the Good-rated band.

The high seating position and large glass give good forward and side sightlines. Thick D-pillars and the third-row headrests create rear blind zones. The surround-view camera that compensates for them is optional on the 2021 GLS 450 and became standard only for 2024.

The second row has two full LATCH positions, there are top tethers in the third row, and the wide rear doors help with installation. The lower anchors sit somewhat deep in the seat bight, and IIHS has not published a LATCH rating for this model.

The 2021 GLS 450 seats seven in three rows as standard. Optional second-row captain's chairs drop that to six.

Front headroom is adequate for the class but not generous. The X167 body did not change between 2020 and 2023.

At about 40.3 in, front legroom is short for a full-size SUV, though reviewers rarely complain about it.

Second-row headroom is generous.

Second-row legroom is limousine-like thanks to the 123.4-in wheelbase, which grew 2.3 in for this generation.

The third row fits adults for real trips, with about 39 in of headroom and 35 in of legroom, and the power-folding seats make access easier. It is still tighter than an extended Escalade or Navigator.

Cargo space behind the second row trails the body-on-frame full-size rivals.

Maximum cargo is competitive but below an extended Escalade or Navigator.

Everyday storage is competitive, with power-folding rear rows that operate from cargo-area buttons and an inductive charging pad. There is no standout storage innovation.

The front seats are highly adjustable and the second row is plush. Reviewers praise the long-haul comfort. Ventilation and massage were optional on the 2021 GLS 450; ventilation became standard only for 2022.

Standard AIRMATIC air suspension gives a plush, controlled ride that is among the best in the class. Reviewers call it the S-Class of SUVs.

The cabin is very quiet at highway speeds. Acoustic side glass is an extra-cost option.

Heated front seats and multi-zone climate are standard. Ventilated front seats and four-zone climate became standard only for 2022, so on the 2021 GLS 450 they, along with five-zone climate, massage, heated armrests and heated/ventilated rear seats, are options.

The 2021 GLS 450 4MATIC starts at $76,000 plus $1,050 destination. That is far above the $65,000 SUV band ceiling, so it scores 0.

The GLS 450 is the volume trim. Dealer stock typically carried popular comfort and driver-assist packages plus metallic paint, which puts a delivered price in the low-$80k range, well above the $68,000 band ceiling.

CarEdge puts GLS 450 maintenance alone near $5,000 over five years, and KBB-attributed maintenance-plus-repair figures run near $8,700. About $9,000 is a fair figure for an AIRMATIC-equipped, dealer-serviced mild-hybrid SUV with no included scheduled maintenance.

CarEdge's model-wide projection is about 49% retained after five years on a typically equipped GLS 450, and the 2020 model sits near 49% today. The 2021 tracks somewhat better on CarEdge's used-market table because it was bought during the inventory-shortage era, but about 47% still marks it as a steep depreciator, typical of a German flagship SUV with heavy lease volume.

Mercedes-Benz's New Vehicle Limited Warranty runs 4 years or 50,000 miles. That is standard for German luxury brands and behind Genesis and Lincoln.

Mercedes-Benz offers no separate, longer powertrain warranty. The drivetrain is covered only by the 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which is below the 5-year band floor.

The 2021 GLS includes no complimentary scheduled maintenance; prepaid plans are sold separately. Included perks are 24/7 Roadside Assistance for the warranty period and a Mercedes me connect trial, which is thin for a $77k+ SUV and level with the BMW X7.

$83,000 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (47% retained, or about $39,010) leaves about $43,990 in depreciation. Add the projected $9,000 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $52,990 in total.

The 2021 GLS is the second model year of the X167 generation, which launched for 2020, and an early-build year carries early-build risk. J.D. Power's quality score is only average, and Consumer Reports rates this generation below average for predicted reliability. Owners most often report problems with MBUX electronics, the air suspension and the 48V EQ Boost system.

In the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and in Consumer Reports' brand rankings, Mercedes-Benz places mid-pack to lower-mid. It ranks ahead of Land Rover, but behind Lexus, Lincoln and usually BMW.

Twelve NHTSA campaigns cover the 2021 GLS, more than the 10 for 2022. Several are serious: two recalls for 48V ground connections that can overheat (fire risk), a fuel pump that can fail and cut drive power, transmission software that can stall the GLS 450, third-row seatback locks that can fail in a crash, and failures of the rear-view camera and defroster. That record of repeated powertrain, fire-risk and safety-system campaigns falls in the major-recall band.

The volume GLS 450 4MATIC uses the M256 3.0L turbo inline-six with the EQ Boost 48V integrated starter-generator, paired with the 9G-Tronic automatic. The engine and transmission are used widely across the lineup. MY2021, though, is covered by recalls for the fuel pump, the transmission software and, twice, the 48V ground, so this powertrain has a mixed history.

As Mercedes' flagship SUV, the GLS has one of the richest cabins in its class: open-pore wood, metal trim, available Nappa leather and soft-touch surfaces in all three rows. Reviewers rank its materials alongside the Range Rover's and ahead of the Escalade's.

The GLS is built at MBUSI in Tuscaloosa, and reviewers report tight panel gaps. Against that, MY2021 has manufacturing-error recalls for rear-door trim bars, third-row seatback locks and rear-window bonding, and owners report scattered electronic glitches in this early production run.

Mercedes-Benz has one of the densest luxury dealer networks in the US, with roughly 380 dealers and mature service operations. Its service-satisfaction results are competitive within the luxury segment.

Parts are easy to get through the dealer network, but Mercedes repair costs are among the highest in the industry. The air suspension, 48V ISG and MBUX electronics are especially expensive to fix. A 2021 GLS is well past its 4-year/50,000-mile factory warranty, so owners pay for those repairs themselves.

The 12.3-in widescreen MBUX touchscreen is mid-pack for the class.

First-generation MBUX is quick and feature-rich, but juggling the touchscreen, console touchpad, touch-sensitive wheel pads and voice gives it a steep learning curve.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every trim, but no 2021 source confirms a wireless connection, and owner guides describe X167 cars delivered with USB-only CarPlay.

The natural-language 'Hey Mercedes' assistant is among the better native systems, and MBUX navigation is standard with augmented-reality guidance available.

A Burmester surround system is standard, and the 26-speaker Burmester High-End 3D system is optional.

A crisp, configurable 12.3-in digital cluster is standard.

Mercedes me connect delivers over-the-air updates for MBUX software and maps. This generation gets no whole-vehicle feature updates.

The Mercedes me app covers remote start, lock and locate, but services move to a paid subscription after the trial.

USB-C ports cover the rows and front inductive charging is standard, but there is no household AC outlet.

KEYLESS-GO and the hands-free liftgate are widely fitted, and remote start runs through the app. There is no phone-as-key for 2021.

The rear camera and parking sensors are standard. Sources conflict on whether Active Parking Assist with Surround View is standard: the 2021 Quick Reference Guide lists it, but dealer listings show it in a package and a dealer source says surround view became standard only for 2024.

A head-up display is available but optional on the volume GLS 450.

A roomy second row (42 in of legroom), power-folding seats and large rear doors make family duty easy. Cargo behind the third row is only about 17 cu ft.

Active Brake Assist with pedestrian detection and Blind Spot Assist are standard. Adaptive cruise and active lane-keeping cost about $1,950 extra, and the 2021 GLS has no NHTSA or IIHS crash ratings.

The quiet, plush cabin and limousine-like second row are excellent on long trips. Rear climate zones and ventilation are extra-cost on the 2021 GLS 450, and luggage space with every seat in use is modest.

The smooth ride and refined I6 mild-hybrid powertrain help, but the finicky touch controls and the vehicle's size add friction to daily driving.

At 21 MPG combined on premium fuel, the GLS is expensive to commute in.

The footprint is large, with a 123.4-in wheelbase and a turning circle of about 41 ft. Parking sensors help, but surround view may be optional. Reviewers cite its size as a drawback when parking.

A 7,700-lb tow rating with the hitch and a torquey I6 handle moderate towing.

It is a luxury unibody SUV with complex air suspension and an interior that is not built for wear, so it is not suited to hard work duty.

Work provisions go little beyond the trailer hitch and cargo tie-downs, and there is no AC outlet.

It is a superb highway cruiser with a quiet, plush cabin and about 500 miles of range. Adaptive cruise costs extra on the 2021 GLS 450.

Standard 4MATIC, adjustable AIRMATIC ride height and 7,700-lb towing make it a capable light adventurer. The off-road package is rare.

Power-folding second and third rows and about 85 cu ft of maximum cargo give good flexibility. A hitch and roof rails are available.

The GLS is secure and well controlled for its size thanks to AIRMATIC, but it is not engaging. E-Active Body Control is limited to the GLS 580.

The steering is light and precise but offers little feedback.

Reviewers describe strong, easily modulated brakes on the heavy X167. No 2021-specific instrumented stopping distance was found.

The 362-hp turbo I6 with EQ Boost mild-hybrid assist is smooth, and its stop/start is seamless. The 9-speed occasionally hesitates.

The inline-six is refined and well isolated under load.

A 41-ft turning circle is unwieldy, which is typical for an SUV with a 123-in wheelbase.

The commanding, highly adjustable driving position is let down by fiddly touch-sensitive wheel controls and the console touchpad.

It is quick enough (5.3 s to 60 mph in testing) and composed, but it is tuned for comfort rather than enjoyment.

The 2021 GLS 450 comes standard with a 362-hp EQ Boost mild-hybrid turbo-six, 4MATIC, AIRMATIC air suspension, dual 12.3-inch MBUX screens, a panoramic roof, power third-row seats and standard active safety. That is competitive for the class, but Burmester audio, the full Driver Assistance Package, massaging seats and rear entertainment remain paid options.

At about $77k delivered, the 2021 GLS 450 undercut the 2022 by roughly $1.9k and sat level with the BMW X7 xDrive40i. Its adult-usable third row and S-Class-grade refinement make that fair, but the Escalade and QX80 offer more space for similar or less money.

The lineup is unusually wide for the segment, with a turbo-six GLS 450, V8 GLS 580, AMG GLS 63 (new for 2021) and Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, spanning about $77k to $160k+. Deep option and MANUFAKTUR personalization lists back it up.

In its second US model year the X167 GLS sold steadily at roughly 20,000 units a year, despite chip-shortage constraints in the second half of 2021. That kept it behind the Escalade and roughly level with the BMW X7, a well-accepted mid-pack seller in the full-size luxury three-row class.

Marketed as 'the S-Class of SUVs' and backed by the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 halo that reached US showrooms for 2021, the GLS sits near the top of the brand's hierarchy. Mercedes-Benz remains one of the strongest luxury automotive brands, though steep depreciation shows the image does not fully carry into resale.

Early in the 2021 model year, MBFS lease and finance offers and modest dealer discounts were still available on the GLS. By mid-2021 the chip shortage had cut inventory and incentives largely disappeared, with luxury SUVs commonly selling at or above sticker, so the buyer benefit was mixed over the year.

2021 is the second model year of the X167 generation, three years ahead of the 2024 mid-cycle facelift. A 2021 buyer gets a near-new platform with MBUX, dual 12.3-inch screens, EQ Boost and available E-Active Body Control.

Reviewers consistently praise the GLS for cabin quality, ride comfort, an adult-usable third row and the smooth six-cylinder, and it split head-to-heads with the BMW X7, winning some and losing others. It has no 10Best or NACTOY award and is rarely the clear pick of the class.