Cars and Drivers

Mercedes-Benz Premiers Even More Luxurious SUVs

Paul Ausick

Published: January 9, 2018 12:35 pm

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 4:40 am

The Mercedes-Benz division of German automaker Daimler will show off its new, more luxurious 2018 model year GLS450 4Matic and GLS550 4Matic at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show opening this weekend. The “Grand Edition” of both vehicles will be on display at the show, and buyers will be able to pick one up by midyear.

The company did not reveal prices for the new models, but the 2018 GLS450 starts at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $69,550 and the 2018 GLS550 starts at $94,950.

Late last week both vehicles were included in a U.S. recall of some 8,700 Mercedes-Benz vehicles to fix a defective door lock on the rear driver-side door that may indicate it is locked when it is, in fact, unlocked. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the recall will begin this month.

The Grand Edition version of the vehicles features Porcelain/Espresso Brown and designo Nappa leather seats with exclusive diamond quilting and special Budapest-design piping. The interior is finished with an open pore brown ash trim with light stripes and a Nappa leather dashboard. The special edition is also standard equipped with ambient lighting and Espresso Brown velour floor mats.

The GLS450 is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 that develops 362 horsepower and has a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds. The GLS550 comes with a 4.7-liter V8 that develops 449 horsepower and a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds.

The Grand Edition on the GLS450 features 20-inch 10-spoke two-tone wheels and an advanced LED Intelligent Light System. The GLS550 is standard equipped with 21-inch wheels and Active LED headlamps. Both models are finished with the special “Grand Edition” badging.