Impressions of the Mercedes-Benz GLS450②–⑤

So, how about power, braking, and ride comfort?

② Power

The 3.0L V6 twin-turbo engine delivers power that is necessary and sufficient. Acceleration from a stop and uphill acceleration are both ample. However, due to the vehicle’s large size and weight, it didn’t have the same acceleration feel as a Porsche. That said, I haven’t test-driven a Cayenne, so I can’t really compare SUVs, and I imagine the GLS63 would feel quite different.

By the way, when I asked, “My brother-in-law used to own a Macan Turbo and said ‘The Macan’s acceleration is incredible!’ So, is Porsche’s acceleration really that much better?” he replied, “Well, yeah. But the Macan is a compact SUV, and the GLS is big, so it’s hard to compare directly.”

③ Brake Control

The brakes are easy to control from low to high speeds. Considering the massive 2.5-ton weight, they work very well, stopping the vehicle firmly. The Toyota 4Runner’s braking was tricky; it was unresponsive at first, then suddenly became very sensitive, which was scary. With the GLS, the harder you press, the stronger the brakes respond, so the braking feels proportional to your input. For city driving, the 4Runner might be fine, but if you’re driving on highways or various other roads, the GLS is definitely better.

④ Ride Comfort

The official site states “It provides optimal ride comfort even on rough roads and off-road. It offers a smooth ride even in the California desert.” Indeed, the ride comfort was good with no complaints. However, since I was seated in the back the whole time, I didn’t feel it was as comfortable as I expected. When driving in Comfort mode, it felt somewhat like riding a bus—smooth but with noticeable sway.

Switching to Sport mode stiffened the suspension and reduced the sway, making the ride feel better. But that’s a matter of personal preference. I personally prefer “the dry, firm Porsche ride that grips the road and absorbs shocks crisply,” so that’s probably why I felt this way about the GLS.

⑤ Body Rigidity

The body rigidity is typical of German cars—solid and sturdy to the point where I thought, “If I got rear-ended in this, I definitely wouldn’t die” (laughs). Because of that, I felt very safe riding in it the entire time. I once heard from an acquaintance, “My wife usually drives an SUV with the kids, but just in case of an accident, we chose the GLS because it has a strong body.” Now I understand why.

These are my impressions of the GLS450, with some comparisons to Porsche. Now I’m even more eager to test-drive the new Cayenne. Maybe I’ll go try one out after returning to Japan (laughs).(By the way, I’ve been to the new Cayenne debut fair before↓↓)

→【Reference Article】Visited the New Cayenne Debut Fair! Impressions and Photos of the Actual Vehicle