Expectations for the GLS

Before the test drive, I did something unusual for me—I watched several YouTube test drive videos to prepare. Based on that, I had three main points I was curious about:

✓ How smooth is the ride really?
Everyone in the videos praised it as “luxurious” and “smooth,” so my expectations were quite high.
✓ How comfortable is the rear seat?
When our family rented the previous generation GLS in the U.S. for about a week, some roads were poorly paved, and the rear seats shook like a bus, making me feel sick and sleep most of the time. So I was curious how much the new model improved rear seat comfort compared to the previous one.
✓ How refined and luxurious does it feel to drive?
Car critics highly praised it in the videos, so I imagined it would feel like driving our old S63 Coupe but as an SUV—rich and smooth. I wanted to experience that.

But… to be honest, this preparation backfired. I raised my expectations so much that I imagined a ride as rich and smooth as a Bentley Bentayga’s, and I deeply regret not going in with no prior knowledge.

So first, I sat in the second row (rear seats).

As expected of the GLS, the seat quality was superb—thick and very comfortable. The space was also very generous. Even with the seat slid all the way forward, there was still plenty of legroom.

In fact, when sitting deeply into the seat, my feet didn’t even touch the floor, so I think tall men can sit very comfortably. (And I guess my legs must be pretty short.)

The seatback reclines, so long drives should be very comfortable. Plus, the second row has power adjustment—truly impressive.

Also, the second row has dedicated air vents, and you can independently control temperature and airflow with the push of a button. There are also seat heaters. Perfect.

Looking into the third row, it was understandably tight but seemed sufficient for kids. The third-row seats also have heaters and independent climate controls. Plus, you can still load luggage in the trunk even when the third row is occupied.

Truly impressive.

The second-row armrest also has great storage and sturdy cup holders.

After that, my husband drove on public roads.

Compared to the previous generation GLS we drove, there was less shaking. But since the test route was in Osaka city with well-paved roads, that difference might have been significant.

The ride was smooth and relaxed, but it didn’t feel like it perfectly absorbed every bump; there was a slight floating sensation. When we tried adjusting the ride height (the suspension stiffness can’t be changed), raising the height made the ride feel much firmer.

Usually, lowering the ride height makes the ride firmer, but for the GLS SUV, raising the height tightens the suspension, making it feel firmer, we were told.

However, the firmer setting made the rear seats feel quite bumpy, so the normal ride height felt more comfortable.

That said, honestly, I felt the current Cayenne’s rear seats were more stable and smoother. But during our test, only three of the seven seats were occupied, so with more passengers, it might have felt more stable. Also, my husband said:

The new E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL system seems amazing. It’s equipped on the GLS580, and I think that would make a big difference in ride comfort. I’m curious about that one too.

To repeat, the problem was that I raised my expectations too high by watching videos beforehand. The GLS is undoubtedly a wonderful car, and without prior knowledge, I’m sure I would have been more impressed.

More than the ride, the perfect features that cover every little need create a luxurious atmosphere and comfort that everyone, including passengers, can fully enjoy. That’s the real strength of the GLS.