Mercedes-Benz has revealed the 2026 GLS with a raft of styling, equipment and technical updates. The Mercedes GLS, which is in its third generation, previously received a facelift in late 2023. The 2026 GLS will continue to be the Stuttgart-based automaker’s flagship SUV offering, competing with the likes of the Audi Q7, BMW X7, Land Rover Defender and Volvo XC90. The GLS facelift aside, Mercedes-Benz has also revealed the updated GLE and GLE Coupe.
- Gets updated petrol and diesel engines with mild-hybrid technology
- Mercedes’ ‘Superscreen’ with three displays standard across variants
- Comes with new interior colour themes and trim
- Exterior gets the brand’s ‘Digital Light’ headlamps as standard
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS facelift powertrain
All variants come with mild-hybrid assistance across the board
The 2026 GLS range kicks off with the GLS 450 4MATIC, where the 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine has been updated so it now produces 560Nm of torque – 60Nm more than before. Sitting at the top of the petrol-powered variant line-up is the 2026 GLS 580 4MATIC. Under the bonnet is a 537hp V8 engine featuring a new flat-plane crankshaft, instead of the previous model’s cross-plane configuration. Not only has to power output gone up by 20hp, peak torque now sits at 750Nm – 20Nm more than before.
The diesel line-up for 2026 consists of the GLS 350d 4MATIC and GLS 450d 4MATIC, both of which get lighter aluminium cylinder heads and crankcase. Furthermore, these oil burners feature updated steel pistons and new liners for the cylinders. The result of all these tweaks is improved handling and better overall efficiency for the diesel-powered 2026 GLS, Mercedes-Benz claims. All variants of the 2026 GLS come with a 48-volt mild-hybrid technology with an integrated starter generator (ISG), along with the brand’s 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. The updated GLS is available with adaptive air suspension with ride-height adjustment and on- and off-road modes, plus a 48-volt active body control feature with automatic levelling.
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS facelift features
An augmented-reality HUD and a triple-scree setup is now standard
The equipment list of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS facelift is pretty comprehensive. All variants now come with the ‘MBUX Superscreen’, comprising three 12.3-inch displays at the front and running on the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). The new MBUX software in the GLS facelift comes with an AI-enabled virtual assistant with “expressive avatars” that supports more comprehensive interactions with users. The feature set of the GLS now includes an augmented-reality head-up display (AR-HUD) and a digital key. The latter allows users to lock/unlock the car using their smartphone, with both Android and iPhone models being supported.
Apart from a digital in-car payment app (Mercedes pay+), the 2026 GLS also comes with other applications like the Mercedes‑Benz Store, Mercedes-Benz app (MB.APP), Google Maps and Microsoft Teams. When equipped with the Rear Comfort Package Plus, the updated GLS comes with a premium fond entertainment system as part of the new MBUX experience, tallying two 11.6‑inch rear entertainment screens with dedicated, detachable remote controllers. This controller allows occupants to control rear-seat functions such as massaging, heating and cooling, etc., along with the electrically operated window shades and the multi-zone climate system. The GLS facelift can be had with heated third-row seats, rear wireless charging and soft head cushions.
Some of the other features of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS come in the form of adjustable ambient lighting, climate-controlled front seats, power-folding third-row seats, optional five-zone climate control, charging ports for all three rows, a powered ‘boss’ mode and a two-pane panoramic sunroof. The so-called ‘Energizing Comfort’ feature of the 2026 GLS manipulates the car’s climate system, ambient lighting, seat massaging and temperature functions to further enhance occupant comfort. The GLS facelift's safety suite encompasses 10 exterior cameras, a dozen ultrasonic sensors and 5 radar sensors, along with a series of multiple active measures like adaptive cruise control, lane-assist, blind-spot warning and also active parking assist.
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS facelift interior
Mercedes has updated the interior with new colour themes and trim options
The interior of the 2026 GLS facelift is offered with a new Beech Brown colour in either Artico or Lugano leather upholstery. Then there are the new trim options, which include open-pore birch wood, open-pore walnut, or aluminium. The dashboard now gets circular air vents, while the seats get distinct graphics and stitching. These are accompanied by welcome animations, digital motifs and mood-specific colour themes for the digital driver’s display and ambient lighting. There is also an updated steering wheel with a metallic dial and a rocker switch. All variants of the 2026 GLS come with seating for 7 occupants as standard. Mercedes-Benz claims that it has improved the cabin NVH levels over the pre-facelift GLS by increasing insulation across various parts of the vehicle.
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS facelift exterior
Customers now get additional paint options and wheel designs
For 2026, the Mercedes-Benz GLS gets a revised front grille with chrome detailing and LED surrounds, a new front bumper, fancier ‘Digital Light’ LED headlamps with vertically stacked inner elements and new LED tail-lamps. Where the front units comprise dual three-pointed stars as their daytime running elements, the latter sports triple three-pointed stars as their DRLs. Depending on the market, the Mercedes-Benz logo can be had with LED illumination.
There are two new 21‑inch alloy wheel options with the updated GLS, with buyers also having the option to pick between two 22-inch AMG wheel designs. The exterior of the 2026 GLS can now be painted in either Dark Petrol flat or a Manufaktur-exclusive Patagonia red metallic shade. Customers of the updated GLS can personalise their GLS using the brand’s Manufaktur programme, picking from a wide variety of colours and trim, just like with the S-Class.
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