The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 S is exceptionally quick and surprisingly agile, but it’s not as spacious as other full-size luxury SUVs.
- The Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 S isn’t just quick on paper, it’s a true performance vehicle in a big package
- The performance doesn’t come at the expense of comfort or refinement
- With under 400 litres of cargo space with all three rows up, you can bring 7 passengers but they will have to leave their bags home.
Each summer, my family and I take a 400 km trek from Quebec down to Maine, specifically Wells Beach. For anyone in Quebec, especially Southern Quebec, the beaches of Maine often feel like a second home. This trip is usually undertaken in a very large, three-row luxury SUV. I’ve made this journey in the Cadillac Escalade, the Lincoln Navigator, and the BMW X7. However, I had never taken on the winding mountain highways of Northern New Hampshire in a 603-hp sport utility vehicle with 2,400 L of cargo capacity. I didn’t know what I was missing.
If you’re short on time, here’s the summary: the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 drives and feels like a high-performance car, not like an SUV. Its balance and stability in tight corners are exceptional, with only the BMW X7 M60i coming close. However, no model accelerates out of a corner like the GLS 63, with a level of precision that makes you want to do it repeatedly. Even the high-powered Escalade V, with its thrilling engine sound and immense power, doesn’t deliver all the elements as seamlessly and with as much finesse as the largest AMG SUV.
On the flip side, when it comes to pure space and versatility, the Germans can’t quite compete with large American SUVs. Of course, this depends on each family’s needs. For us, by the time we loaded beach chairs, luggage, kids’ toys, portable beds, and the inevitable pile of things we didn’t end up using, there wasn’t an inch of space left.
The Most Fun You Can Have on a Road Trip
The Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+ draws its 603 hp from a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine featuring a mild hybrid system. Despite its hefty 2,755 kg curb weight, the GLS 63 rockets to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds. However, this comes at the cost of fuel efficiency. On average, Mercedes-AMG models consume around 13 L/100 km on the highway and 16.8 L/100 km in the city. In reality, even with a fair amount of highway driving, I averaged 18 L/100 km. While this may not matter much to someone paying $200,000, it’s worth mentioning.
Fuel economy is a trade-off for enjoying a large vehicle that delivers exotic-car-level acceleration and handling. You can feel the GLS 63’s weight if you push it hard into corners, but the steering is superb. Ultimately, the GLS 63’s limits are far beyond what most drivers would need, making it a blast to drive for everyone. Given the family road-trip context, I eventually had to focus on comfort, and again, the GLS 63 exceeded expectations.
While models like the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 and GLE 63 lean more toward performance and sacrifice some comfort, the refinement gap between the GLS 580 and GLS 63 is barely noticeable. Even with 23-inch wheels, the GLS 63 does a fantastic job of insulating the driver and passengers from road imperfections. The quiet cabin adds to an overall serene experience that makes you forget just how much power you have until you press down on the accelerator.
Comfort and Refinement in a High-Performance Package
As far as full-size three-row SUVs go, the GLS 63 is as comfortable as the Escalade, more refined than the Navigator or Grand Wagoneer, and less harsh than the BMW X7 M70.
In terms of space, however, it will ultimately depend on your needs. The GLS 63 can feel a bit cramped in the middle row, especially with two child car seats in place. The third row and cargo area are also tighter compared to the competition. With the third row up, there’s only 355 L of cargo space, making it best to keep those seats down if you want usable storage.
On this same trip, the Escalade or Navigator would have offered more room for the same load, with even more space to spare. But in the GLS, every corner was taken up. If you pack lighter than we do, it might be fine, but if space is a priority, the GLS falls short compared to American SUVs, only slightly surpassing the BMW X7.
Here’s a table comparing the interior and cargo space for the 2024 standard-wheelbase versions of the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Grand Wagoneer:
| Feature | 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS | 2024 BMW X7 | 2024 Cadillac Escalade | 2024 Lincoln Navigator | 2024 Grand Wagoneer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 1,001 – 1,026 mm | 1,064 mm | 1,074 mm | 1,003 – 1,062 mm | 1,049 mm |
| Front Leg Room | 1,024 mm | 1,011 mm | 1,130 mm | 1,115 mm | 1,039 mm |
| Front Shoulder Room | 1,506 mm | 1,524 mm | 1,664 mm | 1,656 mm | 1,679 mm |
| Rear Head Room | 1,021 mm | 1,013 mm | 988 mm | 963 – 1,016 mm | 1,016 mm |
| Rear Leg Room | 1,064 – 1,102 mm | 955 mm | 1,059 mm | 1,082 mm | 1,085 mm |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 1,425 – 1,486 mm | 1,476 mm | 1,641 mm | 1,654 mm | 1,656 mm |
| Third Row Head Room | 988 mm | 930 mm | 970 mm | 947 – 950 mm | 991 mm |
| Third Row Leg Room | N/A | 846 mm | 886 mm | 1,039 mm | 930 mm |
| Third Row Shoulder Room | 1,278 mm | 1,217 mm | 1,593 mm | 1,631 – 1,633 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Cargo Volume to First Row | 524 – 2,401 L | 2,560 L | 3,426 L | 2,928 – 3,404 L | 2,667 L |
| Cargo Volume to Second Row | 524 – 1,209 L | 1,376 L | 2,064 L | 1,628 – 2,076 L | 2,008 L |
| Cargo Volume to Third Row | 354 – 524 L | 362 L | 722 L | 592 – 1,019 L | 776 L |
The goal of this road trip review was to evaluate both space and comfort, as well as what AMG engineers have achieved in terms of raw power.
Any GLS model offers a refined and luxurious experience for long road trips, but the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 adds an unexpected element of fun. Its raw power and agile personality don’t hinder its refinement in any significant way. Instead, the straight-line power and precise steering make for an exciting family adventure.
