The current Mercedes GLS-Class luxury SUV has been on the market for about seven years now, yet despite its age, the big Benz continues to be one of the best options in its segment. But with room for improvement (especially on the technology and powertrain front), the three-row flagship is going under the knife and emerging as the significantly updated 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS, which borrows liberally from its S-Class sedan sibling in terms of engine options, infotainment tech, and driver assistance – plus some big (and potentially controversial) styling changes. My, What Big Eyes You Have! As with the aforementioned S-Class, the latest GLS isn't a totally new redesign. Instead, the 2027 model is a very significant facelift, keeping the basic body structure, engineering, and design of the outgoing SUV. However, Mercedes did lots of work to the front and rear fascias to distinguish old from new. Up front, the GLS will receive a more prominent grille that's trimmed with a chrome surround and dovetailed into the much larger headlights via a gloss black "mask" effect that's currently proliferating through Mercedes' lineup after first appearing on the E-Class.2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 Exterior Static 1The headlights themselves also borrow a note from other modern Benzes with a daytime running lamp signature consisting of two stacked, three-pointed stars, with LED low- and high-beam elements nestled into little pods in the lamp assembly. Around back, the taillights visually connect in the middle thanks to a similar gloss black trim panel that matches their new smoked-lens design, with a sextet of Mercedes-Benz logos again showing up in the LED design back there. The front and rear bumpers retain a similar design as the outgoing GLS, with minor tweaks to ensure they look appropriate with the new lighting and trim.That said, we think the latest GLS looks less premium than it did before, with huge headlights that make the rest of the car look smaller and a bit declassé. And we still don't like the use of gloss black trim between the head- and taillamps, which chops up the formerly seamless look of the old GLS with plasticky, cheap-looking inserts. For what it's worth, we have the same complaint about the new S-Class.Mercedes-BenzHowever, one interesting update that comes from the flagship sedan will be a standing Mercedes star for the GLS, formerly only offered on the flagship Maybach model. Mercedes says that since its three-row SUV is a member of the S family, it deserves the traditional, prestigious vibe that a true hood ornament imparts. Models with the AMG-Line exterior – pictured here – will go with the grille-mounted star for a more aggressive, SUV-specific appearance. An Exotic New V8 And Added Off-Road Ability The Benz GLS family will offer two different engines, standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive, and a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The base GLS 450 continues to offer a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, but output rises to 375 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque (up 13 and 44, respectively, over the 2026 GLS 450). Much more interesting to power junkies, however, will be the latest eight-cylinder GLS 580.Mercedes-Benz The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 may seem similar, at first blush, to the previous 580, but it adopts the flat-plane crankshaft design of the 2027 S-Class, with a variety of fueling and induction upgrades to provide even lower emissions than the current engine. Output also rises from 510 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque to 530 hp and 553 lb-ft.Also new is a revised 4MATIC transfer case with a selectable low range, a feature that's been offered in the GLS off and on throughout the years. Newly standard, the low range and clutched center differential provide even more control off-road or in inclement weather, increasing torque at the wheels while also making it easier for the driver to precisely meter out engine output.Mercedes-BenzBuilding off the standard air suspension is E-Active Body Control, which uses high-voltage electromechanical roll bars to improve both ride comfort and handling stability. Furthermore, the optional suspension system can help free the GLS from deep sand and snow by lobbing it up and down, effectively rocking the SUV out of the mire. Tech Dirty To Me Moving inside, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS retains some of its predecessor's strong points, like comfortable three-row seating and a front center console with robust off-road grab handles, as well as a full-width swath of wood trim running along the bottom of the dashboard. However, a now-standard Superscreen infotainment display comprises three individual 12.3-inch units – one for the digital instrument cluster, one for the primary center touchscreen, and one in front of the passenger – for a more tech-focused occupant experience.2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 Interior 1The Superscreen panel itself gives the dash a more monolithic appearance than last year's two-display layout, but we don't mind the cosmetic changes one bit, especially combined with the expanded ambient lighting that surrounds the bezel and air vents. Whether the standard passenger display will actually be of any use remains to be seen; in our experience, co-pilots would rather look at their phones than at the car's dashboard.Mercedes-BenzThat may also be true of rear-seat occupants, but nevertheless, Mercedes offers a pair of 11.6-inch displays mounted to the front seatbacks. Integrated high-definition cameras allow the rear cabin to also serve as a mobile office, enabling teleconferencing apps like Microsoft Teams. Mercedes will also offer an Executive Rear Seat Package Plus that brings individual massaging and climate-controlled second-row seats, heated third-row seats, power sunshades, and wireless device charging. A second-row center console also offers additional storage and cupholders.Also newly standard is Mercedes' MB.OS supercomputer, which integrates artificial intelligence and cloud data storage for even more comprehensive driver assistance and comfort. For example, the standard Airmatic air suspension has cloud-linked dampers that use data from other Mercedes-Benz automobiles on the road to predict potholes, speed bumps, and other obstacles. The dampers proactively soften just before impact, providing a smoother ride.Mercedes-BenzMB.OS also enables improved active safety features, including standard Distronic adaptive cruise control, optional hands-off driver assistance, and a reverse-assist system that can remember a short parking route and "undo" it automatically – handy when driving up a long, narrow driveway. Ten exterior cameras are standard, with up to five radar elements on the GLS helping both the driver and the supercomputer monitor traffic and surroundings in real time.2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 Interior Cargo Area 2 Big Changes Are Coming Soon Mercedes-Benz says the new GLS will arrive at dealers sometime in the second half of 2026. We presume it'll enter production in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, within a few months and show up at retailers sometime in early fall. Pricing is also a question mark, but considering the 2026 GLS starts at $90,250 plus $1,350 destination, we doubt 2027 shoppers will get much change back from a $100,000 check. Also up for debate is the arrival of a full-fat AMG model, which we presume will come by the end of the year offering an even more aggressive version of the flat-plane V8.2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 Exterior Dynamic 1Apart from some questionable styling choices and Luddite-phobic technology overload, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS looks like it'll carry on a grand tradition of three-row comfort and performance. We're excited to sample the new V8 and happy to see continued improvements to the turbine-smooth inline-six, and the standard low-range T-case and impressive suspension tech should make it a real billy goat in all but the worst situations. The GLS is on a steady upward course, no doubt about it.Source: Mercedes-Benz