Taking a crossover to the Amargosa Dunes isn’t something you’d expect Mercedes-Benz to do. But the three-pointed star did it nonetheless, proving that the GLS can hold its own even in this inhospitable terrain.
The secret to dune bashing for the GLS is the e-ABC along with free-fall mode, but Mercedes-Benz engineered a lot more technological trickery into the full-size luxury crossover. The E-Active Body Control, for example, controls spring and damper forces on each wheel to counteract roll, pitch, and stroke movements in the blink of an eye.
Known as the GL until the 2016 facelift, the third generation of the breed is longer and wider than the preceding model. Presented at the 2019 New York International Auto Show, the X167 is available with two engine options for the time being in the United States of America.
Manufactured in Tuscaloosa County alongside the mid-size GLE and compact GLC, the GLS 450 starts at $75,200 excluding destination charge. At that price point, Mercedes-Benz offers 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque from a hybridized inline-six turbo. The GLS 580 levels up to 483 horsepower and 516 pound-feet, and pricing for the hybridized twin-turbo V8 option starts at $97,800 before the applicable taxes.
Given the size and weight of the GLS-Class, top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph while zero to 60 comes in 5.9 and 5.2 seconds, respectively. Available with seating for seven or six, Mercedes’ newcomer has in-segment competition in the guise of the BMW X7.
Marketed as a sports activity vehicle, the Bavarian from South Carolina retails at $73,900 for the xDrive40i and $92,600 for the xDrive50i. As it’s the case with the GLS-Class, the difference between the two engine options can be attributed to the number of cylinders. Also in comparison with Mercedes-Benz, BMW hasn’t hybridized the X7 with a 48-volt system.
If it were your money and you had to choose between these two models, which one would you take home?
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News