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- Mercedes-Benz revealed the heavily updated 2026 GLS luxury SUV.
- The GLS 580 features a 395kW flat-plane crank twin-turbo V8.
- The cabin boasts a massive triple-display MBUX Superscreen setup.
- Physical, galvanised-metal steering wheel controls make a welcome return.
- Advanced E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension actively counteracts body roll.
- The classic upright Mercedes-Benz star officially returns to the bonnet.
The interior of the new 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS is dominated by three massive 12.3-inch screens, but thankfully, it no longer feels like sitting inside a teenager’s gaming PC. Sure, there is still a plethora of ambient RGB lighting, but Mercedes has taken a crucial, much-needed step backward in its digital obsession. They’ve contrasted the glass slabs with actual, tactile luxury – spearheaded by the return of galvanised-metal “rocker-and-roller” controls on the steering wheel.
With a 3,135 mm wheelbase (60 mm longer than the GLE), the GLS offers significant second- and third-row space. Passengers can lounge back, activate the deep-tissue vibration massage built into the multi-contour seats, and binge a series on the optional MBUX high-end rear entertainment system (which packs dual 11.6-inch full HD displays). It also allows the rear passenger to electrically move the front passenger seat forward for extra legroom, VIP-style.
Parents who will use their GLS to chauffeur their family will love that all three rows of the seven-seater are electrically adjustable. Notably, the third row accommodates people up to 1.94 meters tall and features an Easy Entry function, heated seats, and dedicated USB charging ports.
Aesthetically, the cabin has grown up. The interior showcased in the reveal images debuts the warm new “Beech Brown” palette paired with black (available in ARTICO and Lugano leather). It joins classic mainstays like Macchiato Beige and Bahía Brown, paired with your choice of three new trim options: dark brown open-pore birch wood, brown open-pore walnut, or a striking light-coloured aluminium.
If we dive deeper, we see that the GLS has elevated the details. The front massage seats feature a new four-motor vibration function for a true deep-tissue effect, while the seat climate control upgrades to radial fans for whisper-quiet, consistent cooling. The rectangular air vents of the previous generation are also gone. Replaced by elegant, round turbine-style vents under a standard panoramic glass roof that spans over a square metre.
Unlike the rectangular vents on the previous generation, these air vents are now round, and there’s a standard over one-square-meter glass roof that slides electrically.
Of course, the technology is just as heavy-hitting as the premium leather. The MBUX Superscreen is powered by a new MB.OS supercomputer, integrating AI to make the car a highly capable digital concierge. The front passenger gets a dedicated display to stream Disney+ on the move, monitored by a camera that automatically dims the screen if it detects the driver peeking.
For the busy executive, the cabin features integrated full HD cameras that support apps like Microsoft Teams Meetings (though the video feed automatically shuts off once the car is in motion). There is even an In-Car Payment system via Mercedes pay+, which uses the interior camera for biometric two-factor authentication, allowing you to pay for digital extras or e-vignettes without ever reaching for a wallet or typing a PIN. Not sure how many people will use that feature, but sure.
Finally, the new electric cabin air filter works continuously to completely refresh the interior air every 90 seconds. Paired with the ENERGIZING AIR CONTROL system, the car actively monitors for harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide, and microscopic PM2.5 fine dust.
But luxury isn’t just about what you can touch. Enter the 395kW, 750Nm, flat-plane crank twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet of the top-of-the-range GLS 580 4MATIC V8-powered model. Notably, it hasn’t been added entirely for performance, but to future-proof the platform against future emission standards in Europe, including changes to the injection system, exhaust gas aftertreatment with particulate filter, cylinder head intake and exhaust ports, and the intake camshaft. It’s not a conventional hybrid but a 48-volt (ISG) that enables coasting, boost, and recuperation, resulting in significant fuel savings.
The engine’s focus is not on outright performance but on smoothness and NVH. Mercedes has added an engine bulkhead, now lined with a particularly high-quality nonwoven material. The engine cover is fitted with a heavy, specialised mat that effectively absorbs high-frequency combustion noise. Plus, acoustic foam is used in some bodyshell cavities to reduce engine, road, and wind noise.
Under the skin, it adopts Mercedes-Benz E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL that uses five multi-core processors and more than 20 sensors to analyse the driving situation 1,000 times per second, and adapt the suspension accordingly. Similar to the system in the Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid and Porsche Cayenne Electric, this active suspension can individually control the spring and damper forces at each wheel to counteract roll, as well as pitch and lift. This means the body no longer dips when braking and accelerating.
While the interior is undoubtedly the main event, the new GLS cements itself as the true “S-Class of SUVs” by bringing back the upright Mercedes-Benz star on the bonnet. You can learn more about the GLS at the Mercedes-Benz website, linked below.
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