I’ve got a luxurious family hauler for you this week, the 2025 Mercedes flagship GLS 580. This is a true luxury SUV with a beautiful and spacious interior and a very generous amount of cargo room. I felt right at home in this SUV since I personally have a 2025 AMG GLE 63s that is the 2-row version of the same SUV with more horses under the hood.
Exterior
I find this to be one of the prettiest SUVs on the road, with distinct body lines, a long nose, a sparing use of chrome, gorgeous 22” AMG spoke wheels, chrome dual exhaust tips, and a nice spoiler in rear.
The Cote d’Azure Light Blue Metallic paint is not my favorite, but I had a good number of compliments on it this week. This Alabama-made luxury liner has a real presence about it.
Performance
At the heart of the GLS 580 lies a remarkable marriage of raw power and modern efficiency. Mounted longitudinally up front is a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, crafted entirely of diecast alloy and engineered for precision. It punches out a muscular 510-horsepower at 5,500 rpm and delivers a robust 538 pound-feet of torque between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm—enough power to propel this full-size SUV nicely, even under load. This isn’t just a brute-force engine; it’s enhanced with a mild-hybrid system. A 48-volt electric motor—known as the integrated starter-generator—provides up to 20 additional horsepower, supports smooth stop-start behavior, and enables gas-free coast-downs to aid emissions and efficiency.
Power flows through Mercedes’ 9-speed 9GTRONIC automatic transmission, which balances responsiveness with long-leg cruising. Choose the right drive mode from DYNAMIC SELECT, and the GLS responds briskly—whether that means brisk acceleration or hushed highway refinement. In track conditions, it sprints to 60 mph in about 4.7 seconds, a stunning feat for a three-ton luxury hauler.
Traction is handled by full-time 4MATIC all-wheel drive, giving the GLS 580 sure-footedness in rain, snow, or gravel. The SUV also benefits from an advanced air suspension setup: standard Airmatic gives a plush ride, while the optional EActive Body Control uses road-scanning cameras to adjust each wheel’s damping independently—smoothing out bumps or even gently rocking the vehicle to free it from sand or mud.
Interior
The cabin interior is simply amazing as opulence and innovation come together. Large, quilted Nappa leather seats are heated and cooled and wildly adjustable, and yes, they will massage you. The heated, power tilting steering wheel is also Nappa leather and feels great to the touch. The door panels are a standalone work of art, there are also beautiful speakers for the Burmeister 3D sound system. Poofy pillows Velcro to the headrests, but I found them annoying and immediately removed the one on the driver’s side.
Hit the start button and the real magic happens as a fully digital gauge cluster blends modern design with deep functionality. The cluster is part of a sweeping display panel that spans the dash, housing both the instrument display and infotainment screen under a single piece of glass. The driver’s side measures 12.3- inches and can be configured in multiple ways, offering everything from traditional dial-style graphics to bold sport layouts and clean, futuristic “progressive” themes.
Customization is at the heart of the system. Drivers can toggle between layouts and adjust what information is displayed—trip data, fuel economy, navigation, or even media details—using touch controls or steering-wheel buttons. The setup allows you to prioritize what matters most for each drive, whether it’s watching fuel range on a long trip or keeping navigation front and center in city traffic. I will say the steering wheel buttons take some getting used to, I had the same issue with my GLE.
The cluster is also integrated into the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) operating system, so voice control and personalized profiles carry over into the driving environment. As you look forward, a head-up display projects key information like speed, directions, and driver-assist alerts directly onto the windshield. Together, the gauges and HUD give the GLS 580 a cockpit that’s as advanced as it is elegant.
Above the center console and to the right of the gauges is where you find the MBUX interface which serves as the command center for nearly every function in the SUV. It controls navigation with augmented-reality overlays, Burmeister audio through multiple sources including SiriusXM, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and vehicle settings like ambient lighting, seat adjustments, climate control, and drive modes. Voice recognition allows you to manage many features hands-free by simply saying “Hey Mercedes,” while touch inputs on the screen, steering-wheel controls, and even gesture options provide multiple ways to interact. The system also integrates smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth, and access to vehicle apps, making it a seamless hub that blends entertainment, comfort, and convenience into one highly customizable platform.
The center console is beautiful and offers a wide, clean layout trimmed in high-grade wood, which means no fingerprints like gloss black does. It features a padded armrest with a deep storage compartment beneath, dual cupholders, and a wireless charging pad up front. Just ahead sits the touchpad controller for the infotainment system, flanked by shortcut keys for quick access to navigation, media, and vehicle settings. Additional controls for climate functions and drive modes are placed within easy reach, while USB-C ports and available 12-volt outlets provide charging options for multiple devices. You can also raise or lower the SUV for the ease of entry and exit. Drive modes include: Individual, Sport, Comfort, and Offroad.
The optional second-row captain’s chairs elevate the GLS 580’s comfort levels significantly—perfect for VIPs, kids, or anyone craving a little extra elbow room. These plush seats come with individual armrests and generous space between them, making third-row access effortless. The rear captain’s are heated, and occupants get their own air vents, computerized climate settings, two USB ports, and fold-down armrests.
Moving to the third row, there is very nice room back there for two adults or three kiddos. Luxury materials and comfort don’t drop a notch back there. Headroom runs about 38.9 inches, while legroom measures approximately 34.6 inches.
Utility
Heading back to the cargo area, you open the electric tailgate to a large area. When all three rows are folded flat, the GLS delivers a cavernous 84.7 cubic feet of cargo space, large enough to haul big items with ease.
With just the third row folded, you still get a respectable 42.7 cubic feet—enough for sizable loads—while keeping five seats available. With all rows upright, the space behind the third row is still usefully practical at 17.4 cubic feet, suitable for everyday errands or smaller gear. The third row is a power-folding 50/50 split-bench that can be folded electrically into the floor with the touch of a button, making it effortless to switch from seven-passenger mode to expanded cargo space.
Standard Features
Standard features include the V8 powertrain, 9-speed automatic with shift paddles, 4Matic all-wheel drive, Airmatic suspension, dual 12.3-inch displays with MBUX, panoramic moon roof, Nappa leather trim, heated and cooled massaging front seats, power-folding third row, hands-free liftgate, navigation with augmented reality, Burmester Surround Sound audio, wireless charging, multiple USB-C ports, keyless entry with push-button start, multi-zone automatic climate control, 64-color ambient lighting, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, memory settings for the driver’s seat and mirrors, a power-folding second row, soft-close doors, 22” wheels, and a trailer hitch.
Options-wise, $350 gets upgrades to the dash and door trims, another $350 gets you Magic Vision Control which is a heated, washer-fluid–fed wiper system with laser-cut nozzles built directly into the wiper blades, $1,100 for the Acoustic Comfort Package which is extra laminated glass and enhanced insulation throughout the cabin to reduce wind, road, and outside noise, and $1,800 for the Pinnacle Trim, which adds multi-contour massaging front seats, a head-up display, MBUX Interior Assistant with gesture control, the Air Balance cabin fragrance system, heated and cooled front cupholders, and illuminated Mercedes star logo projectors.
On the safety front, you get advanced driver assistance including CartoX communication, Active Brake Assist (with CrossTraffic Function and Emergency Stop), Active Steering Assist, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Lane Keeping & Lane Change Assist, Blind Spot Assist (with Exit Warning), Crosswind Assist, Adaptive HighBeam Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Speed Limit Assist, SurroundView and Parktronic parking aids, PRESAFE (plus Plus) and Sound systems, Emergency Call service, and more—all atop the robust ABS, ESP, and multilayered PRESAFE safety architecture.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 rides with the kind of refinement you expect from a flagship SUV, gliding over bumps and rough pavement thanks to its adaptive air suspension while keeping passengers isolated from noise and harshness.
The steering feels light but precise, making it surprisingly easy to handle in tight spaces, and body roll is kept in check even on curvy roads. In everyday driving it favors comfort, but the V8’s power and the suspension’s ability to firm up in sport mode gives it a composed, confident feel when you want more engagement. The result is an SUV that balances the smoothness of a luxury cruiser with the stability and control of something far smaller.
MSRP as equipped is $126,210 and fuel economy is rated at 16 MPG combined, and 14 in town, and 19 on the highway.
If you want pure luxury, amazing V8 performance, a whisper-quiet interior, and a roomy, luxurious cabin, this one should be on top of your shopping list.
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