If you’re looking for a top-quality luxury car with plenty of space, comfort and performance to match, then you’ll find the GLS very tempting.
It’s packed with technology, comes with a choice of powerful engines, and has plenty of other features to tempt you. And with affordable monthly payments, a Mercedes-Benz GLS Lease might be more achievable than you think.
Luxurious 4-, 6- or 7-seater.
Fantastic interior.
Strong power options.
With a Mercedes-Benz GLS lease, you can choose your preferred model and drive a brand-new car while making fixed monthly payments.
The details of your contract are up to you, including how long you’d like to drive your Mercedes-Benz GLS (normally 2-5 years), your annual mileage and upfront payment. You can also include a maintenance and servicing package in your monthly payments as an optional extra. Once the agreement ends, you return the car to us – it couldn’t be easier. To find out more about how contract hire works, take a look at our easy-to-understand guide to car leasing.
When you want the best of everything, and in a stylish and fairly massive package, you may well be looking at the Mercedes S-Class saloon. But before you pull the trigger on what is the default choice for luxury-limo-like cars, consider its SUV equivalent.
The GLS is the flagship of all Merc’s high riders – with huge presence, loads of tech and a plush interior that few other cars can match. It’ll seat up to 7 people, is exquisitely comfortable and will even handle itself off-road if you dare risk it. It’s also available with all the personalisation you’d expect of a top-end luxury car, and it has a wide choice of trim levels too. The engine choices range from the powerful to the really, really powerful.
Being a very large car, even among its rivals, there’s plenty of space inside the GLS. A full complement of 7 adults can legitimately travel in it without fear of losing circulation, although those touching 6-foot will probably want to avoid the 3rd row of seats. Those of a less lofty stature, however, will have more room than in most other 7-seaters.
You can, if you want, spec your GLS as a 6-seater, with just 2 chairs in the middle row. Opt for the top-end Mercedes-Maybach model and you can ditch the 3rd row entirely, leaving just 2 individual chairs in the back for the ultimate in luxurious stretch space.
The boot is reasonable with all the seats in place, at 355 litres – but you can drop the 3rd row into the floor at the touch of a button to free up a huge 890 litres. Drop the middle row as well and that figure expands to 1470 litres, which essentially leaves you with a luxury van.
There are also plenty of places to keep odds and ends, including big door pockets and numerous cubby holes.
The GLS is a big, powerful car, and that has an unavoidable impact on running costs. Unlike rivals, such as the Audi Q7 and Range Rover Sport, there’s no plug-in hybrid model to eke out more from a tank of fuel.
The 400d diesel model promises up to 30.7mpg, but in the real world you can expect mid-20s. The AMG GLS 63 model promises up to 22.1mpg, and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 up to 21.1mpg. Again, mid-teens are more realistic.
All versions of the GLS are 5-door SUVs, although different models have different body kits and various different seating configurations.
Trim levels available: AMG Line Premium, AMG Line Premium Plus, AMG Line, Premium Plus Executive, Night Edition (AMG only), Night Edition, Executive (AMG only), GLS 600 4Matic (Maybach only), GLS 600 4Matic First Class (Maybach only).
All GLS models are crammed full of kit. Even the most basic AMG Line Premium model rides on 22-inch alloy wheels and has air suspension, LED headlights and a panoramic sunroof, as well as a Burmester sound system inside and a head-up display.
Other big 7-seat luxury SUVs include the BMW X7, which is slightly better to drive but has less space inside. You could also consider a leasing deal on the Range Rover Sport, which is tremendous off-road, but it too is less spacious.
The Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 are smaller, but worth a look as they’re both excellent in their own ways. If you really want to splash out, you can get a 7-seat Bentley Bentayga for a seriously high-end family SUV.
Absolutely. It’s huge, and expensive to run, but it’s smart, well equipped and very comfortable.
That depends on your priorities. The BMW X7 is better to drive, but you’ll get more space in the Mercedes.
Yes, the GLS is a 7-seater, although you can also get it with 4 or 6 seats.
The GLS is larger than the GLE but both are 7-seaters. You’ll pay more for a GLS, but you’ll get more space and more luxury.
Mercedes doesn’t have a particularly great reputation for reliability, although in fairness, neither do its main rivals. It regularly sits towards the bottom of the rankings in independent dependability studies. However, a solid manufacturer warranty should provide all the peace of mind you need for a leasing term.
Using the popular GLS 400d diesel model, you can tow a braked trailer of up to 3.5 tonnes.
For the best deal on your Mercedes-Benz GLS lease, Vanarama can assist. We have the best car leasing deals with our Price Promise which includes free delivery and free 30-day returns. Don’t forget that we’re also rated Excellent on Trustpilot too!
Wondering what on earth 4Matic means when it comes to Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG models? We’re here to talk you through this particular piece of unusually named technology from the German company.
Need a little help finding your perfect family car? Get advice from the experts and check out Vanarama’s guide to the best family SUVs for 2023.
