5 Reasons Why The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLS63 Is The Ultimate High-Status SUV CarBuzz News Features New Cars Used Cars Sell My Car Shopping Tools Car Reviews Car Finder Compare Cars Best Cars Car Dealerships Used Car Reviews Car Advice Home Features 5 Reasons Why The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLS63 Is The Ultimate High-Status SUV
5 Reasons Why The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLS63 Is The Ultimate High-Status SUV
Jun. 12, 2020 5:55 PM ET by Jared Rosenholtz Opinion / 12 Comments If you can afford one, that is. If you wanted to buy the ultimate status symbol car from Mercedes-Benz, it used to be the S-Class. But these days, more buyers demand massive luxury SUVs over flagship luxury sedans, which is why Mercedes has poured so much time and effort into the latest GLS. We recently spent a week testing the all-new 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLS63, the most performance-oriented version of the GLS. Until the Maybach version and ultimately the dedicated Mercedes-Maybach SUV arrive, the GLS63 sits as the ultimate SUV flagship in the Mercedes lineup and if you can afford the $132,100 starting price, it should definitely be high on your shopping list. Here are five things we loved about the Mercedes-AMG GLS63. CarBuzz CarBuzz CarBuzz 1 It Looks Imposing
Most of the time when we test a luxury SUV, even one with a six-figure price tag, it tends to go unnoticed in traffic. The sports cars we test typically garner a lot more attention but the GLS63 seemed to be an exception. Whenever we pulled up to a set of lights in the GLS, the person in the car next to us immediately took notice and most were quick to give a thumbs up. We imagine onlookers were smitten with the menacing AMG Panamericana grille, flared wheel arches, and massive 23-inch center-lock-style wheels. CarBuzz CarBuzz CarBuzz 2 The Interior Is Fabulous
With a $132,100 starting price or $153,035 as-tested, you'd expect the GLS63's cabin to feel special. And it does. The standard GLS doesn't exactly feel spartan inside but the AMG model feels even more exceptional with expensive leather, suede, carbon fiber, and metal. We love the purposeful design, which feels opulent without sacrificing storage and practicality. Standard 64-color ambient lighting enables drivers to change the mood in the cabin and provides that wow factor for passengers. The latest Mercedes-Benz MBUX infotainment system sprawled across a massive dual widescreen setup is spectacularly integrated, too, giving the interior a real sense of grandeur. CarBuzz CarBuzz CarBuzz 3 Tech Toys Abound
There aren't many options that need to be added to the GLS63 but our tester was decked out with all of the coolest toys. Our favorite addition was a Rear Seat Executive Package for $3,700, which adds a Samsung tablet in the rear center armrest. From this tablet, rear occupants can control the MBUX infotainment system, adjust the massage function on the seats, and adjust the ambient lighting. The GLS63 has plenty of other cool options including a built-in air fragrance system, heated and cool cupholders, and a fabulous Burmester 3D audio system. CarBuzz CarBuzz CarBuzz 4 Roomy Accomodations
The GLS63 is the largest AMG model and it doesn't sacrifice on the practicality found in the standard GLS. It still features three rows of seats with the third-row accessible via the electronically lifting second row. When it comes time to fold the seats down for more cargo volume, buttons mounted in the trunk automatically lower the seats to a flat positioning, opening up nearly 85 cubic feet of space. In terms of passenger space, the lengthy 123.4-inch wheelbase affords 40.3 and 41.9 inches of legroom for the first two rows respectively, while headroom of 39.4 and 40.2 inches, respectively, is as generous as you'll find in this segment. CarBuzz CarBuzz 5 Hand-Built V8
Under the hood of the GLS63 sits the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 found in a variety of AMG models producing 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. With a nine-speed automatic and an AMG-tuned 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, Mercedes says the GLS 63 takes just 4.1 seconds to hit 60 mph on its way to a 174 mph top speed. Independent tests, however, have measured the 0-60 time closer to 3.6 seconds. Making the V8 even smoother is a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which helps combat turbo lag and smooths out the stop/start system. It may have an AMG badge but the GLS63 is still a luxury car first and foremost. 23-inch wheels would normally disturb ride comfort but the air suspension is still well-calibrated to keep passengers comfortable. In Sport+ mode, the 48-volt mild-hybrid system helps keep the suspension level, making the GLS 63 feel far more nimble than you'd expect. CarBuzz CarBuzz CarBuzz CarBuzz Join The Discussion
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Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Jared Rosenholtz Editor-at-Large After graduating with an MBA, Jared pursued his love of cars by becoming an automotive journalist. An internship with CarBuzz grew into his current position as Editor At Large. Jared now spends most of his time evaluating new vehicles and chasing the latest news stories in the automotive industry. When he’s not attending Cars & Coffee events on the weekend, Jared loves to watch NFL football and cruise around with the top down in his German convertible. Contact Jared @Carsnbites @jar_rosenholtz LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top