Is the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLS63 a Good SUV? 4 Pros, 3 Cons
The Mercedes-AMG GLS63 is the high-performance version of the luxury automaker’s flagship large SUV, combining a luxurious and comfortable interior that seats up to seven with levels of acceleration and handling that are bonkers for a vehicle this big.
Related: 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLS63 Review: King of the Luxury Family SUV Brawlers
A mild update for the 2024 model year brought new front and rear bumpers, lights and other styling tweaks, as well as additional standard features to help keep the GLS63 competitive against formidable rivals like the BMW Alpina XB7 and Land Rover Range Rover SV. The updates are up to the job and add to the appeal of what may just be the best all-around pick in the category.
Cars.com Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman recently spent some time with a new GLS63 and came away impressed with its winning balance of luxury and performance. Tap the link above to read his expert review, or for a quicker rundown, read on for four things we like about the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLS63 and three things we don’t.
Things We Like
1. Stealthy Stormer
For all its remarkable performance, the GLS63 keeps a sleeper-like profile, with few visual cues other than unusual gloss-gray paint to give away what lies beneath. An available AMG Night Package lends a slightly more sinister look, with blacked-out window trim, side mirror housings and other bits. Our test vehicle was even more stealthy, doing without the optional 23-inch monoblock wheels in favor of more practical 22-inch spoked wheels fitted with winter tires.
2. Plentiful Ponies
The heart of the GLS63 is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine that’s good for 603 horsepower and 627 pounds-feet of torque. Hand-built by the wizards at AMG and matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, the powerplant can vault the GLS63 from 0-60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. That’s an impressive number, especially for a big SUV with three rows of seats.
3. Tough Brakes
Fast is all well and good, but that makes stopping this hefty SUV that much more important. Mercedes-AMG has that part covered, too, with massive 15.7-inch ventilated and perforated disc brakes and six-piston calipers up front, plus 14.6-inch discs in back. Together, they do a commendable job. For those who plan on taking their seven-passenger SUV to track days, optional carbon-ceramic brakes are available for $5,450.
4. Welcoming Cabin
The interior is just as luxurious and nicely appointed as expected in a high-end Mercedes-Benz, with big, comfortable front seats and quality materials used throughout. Thankfully, the GLS63 still uses some physical controls rather than confusing a digital environment for luxury the way some models have — including some from Mercedes-Benz. AMG options that add to the understated upscale feel include nicely finished Nappa leather and dark wood trim.
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Things We Don’t Like
1. Firm Ride
Our test vehicle’s 22-inch wheels and softer compound winter tires may be a more appropriate choice for wintry conditions than the 23-inch monoblock wheels and performance tires it was meant to have, but they do little to improve the GLS63’s overly stiff ride. The adaptive AMG Ride Control+ air suspension doesn’t help much, either, as it’s tuned more for performance than comfort. An assortment of drive modes does alter the driving experience somewhat; it includes settings for Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and even a Race mode for track duty.
2. Limited Room
The roomy front accommodations don’t entirely carry over to the second and third rows, where the second-row captain’s chairs are on the small side and the third row is best left for kids. The second-row seats do, however, have a power-folding feature to make third-row access easier.
3. Digital Demerits
The GLS63 uses the latest version of the MBUX multimedia system, which works well enough but comes with a steep learning curve. The climate controls have migrated to the touchscreen, although a strip of physical controls below the screen serve as a backup. Voice controls provide an alternative to fussing with the screen while underway but are not always the best solution. Worse are the dreaded touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel, which are far too sensitive and make for lots of frustrating errors.
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