It is remarkably easy to wax rhapsodic about Mercedes-AMG’s newest flagship performance utility vehicle, the GLS 63. Its meticulously crafted cabin, its spacious three rows of seating accommodating six or seven occupants, and its bold, head-turning road presence defined by towering 23-inch rims and a striking new illuminated grille are all undeniably noteworthy. Yet, beneath the lavish exterior and expansive interior proportions, the true essence and primary appeal of this formidable S.U.V. lie entirely within its engineering masterpiece of an engine.
For the 2027 model year, Mercedes-AMG has comprehensively redesigned its signature 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 power plant. The revised engine now pumps out an astounding 603 horsepower and 627 foot-pounds of torque. That immense level of muscle is more than enough to launch this 6,110-pound heavyweight from a complete standstill to 60 miles per hour in a blistering 4.0 seconds, a feat assisted dynamically by a newly integrated launch-control feature.
This upgraded power plant is the inaugural application of Mercedes-AMG’s new-generation M177 EVO engine architecture, significantly enhanced and enlivened by the adoption of a flat-plane crankshaft—a design feature traditionally associated with the shrieking, high-revving engines found in elite supercars. According to AMG engineers, this configuration successfully reduces internal mechanical mass, delivers substantially sharper throttle response, and renders the V-8 far more eager to climb through the rev range. Beyond the performance benefits, the advanced engineering also assists the manufacturer in complying with increasingly stringent global emissions regulations.
If this more potent engine were not enough to capture the attention of automotive enthusiasts, the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 bristles with fresh technology and mechanical enhancements designed to sharpen its driving dynamics significantly. It also debuts a much more distinctive exterior design language and brings an even higher tier of luxury to its cavernous cabin. Together, these updates afford the latest hot-rod GLS a broader runway to stand out in a fiercely contested segment dominated by rival three-row performance S.U.V.s, including Cadillac’s formidable Escalade-V, BMW’s X7 M60i, and Audi’s brand-new SQ9.
What’s New
The current-generation styling of the GLS has been a familiar sight on roads since its introduction in 2020. Consequently, industry watchers should view this latest iteration as a midlife facelift, albeit an unusually profound one, with a reported 40 percent of the vehicle’s total components being entirely new. Visually, it projects a much bolder posture right out of the gate. It adopts a fresh, Panamericana-style grille featuring vertical chrome bars that pay direct homage to the legendary 1952 Mercedes 300 SL race car, which famously competed in the grueling Carrera Panamericana road race across Mexico.
Illumination is another major focal point of the exterior refresh. The vehicle receives striking new lighting elements, including a continuous ring of brilliant white LEDs tracing the perimeter of the larger, thicker-framed grille. Enlarged headlights incorporate sophisticated three-pointed-star running light motifs, while freshly redesigned taillights similarly integrate illuminated three-pointed stars as a central signature of their graphic design.
Down at the rear fascia, observers will spot a new AMG Performance exhaust system featuring a quartet of ovoid tips protruding aggressively from a revised rear diffuser. At all four corners, the GLS 63 wears newly minted wheel options, including a commanding 23-inch multi-spoke design alongside a highly distinctive, retro-inspired five-spoke 23-inch monoblock choice.
Stepping inside reveals a heavily overhauled dashboard layout, anchored and elevated by the marque’s expansive, full-width MBUX Superscreen. This digital interface deploys a trio of 12.3-inch displays, including a dedicated screen for the front-seat passenger to manage navigation or entertainment. Furthermore, the cabin operates on the advanced new MB.OS operating system, which features upgraded natural-language "Hey Mercedes" voice commands backed by generative AI searches and native Google Maps integration. Reassuringly for traditionalists, Mercedes has retained plenty of tactile physical buttons alongside the digital landscape.
Drivers are greeted by a thicker-rimmed AMG steering wheel available in a variety of premium coverings. Naturally, buyers can also select from an extensive array of upscale interior materials sourced from the automaker’s expanding Manufaktur customization program. Perhaps the sole polarizing interior touch is the vibrant, neon ambient cabin lighting configuration, which can occasionally give the spacious interior the distinct aesthetic of Tokyo by night.
Design
The full-bodied GLS 63 firmly maintains its status as the largest model within the continuously expanding fleet of Mercedes-Benz utility vehicles. Spanning over 206 inches from nose to tail, it remains somewhat shorter than competitors like Audi’s new SQ9, which stretches 209 inches, and Cadillac’s colossal Escalade-V at 212 inches. Nevertheless, standing a towering 70 inches tall, drivers will never mistake it for anything other than an absolute automotive behemoth on the highway.
Yet, thanks to the latest exterior design adjustments, it projects a more individualized and purposeful character than ever before, particularly when rolling on those oversized 23-inch wheels. Exclusive AMG styling cues contribute heavily to its formidable on-road presence. These include a heavily sculpted, power-domed hood, a more aggressive front fascia with substantially enlarged lower air intakes, and striking new paint colors such as Mid-Green Metallic, Moonlight White Magno, and the Mystic Blue Metallic showcased on launch vehicles.
Powertrain and Hardware
While the introduction of the M177 EVO V-8 undeniably anchors the performance credentials of the GLS 63, it is supported by a comprehensive suite of mechanical hardware. Among these is a sophisticated mild-hybrid system incorporating a new-generation integrated starter-generator. At lower engine speeds, this electric architecture injects an additional 23 horsepower and 151 foot-pounds of torque into the drivetrain. While it does not facilitate pure electric-only driving capability, its primary functions are to dramatically sharpen off-the-line responsiveness and smooth out the operation of the automatic stop-start system.
To ensure this massive Mercedes navigates tight corners with the same composure it displays on straightaways, the GLS 63 comes equipped with AMG Active Ride Control+ active-roll stabilization technology. This system actively combats body roll during high-speed cornering, ensuring remarkably stable and precise handling characteristics. It operates in tandem with a standard adaptive air suspension setup that can elevate the vehicle’s ride height by 2.2 inches when venturing off the beaten path. The adaptive damping calibration delivers a reassuringly firm ride when left in Comfort mode, and progressively tighter settings in Sport or Sport+ modes, yielding a dramatic reduction in body lean.
Performance
For an automobile tipping the scales at over 6,000 pounds, the cumulative effect of these AMG performance upgrades turns the GLS 63 into an unexpectedly thrilling driving machine. Straight-line acceleration is nothing short of explosive, accompanied by the newly engineered AMG exhaust system. Working in concert with the flat-plane crankshaft V-8, the exhaust produces an urgent, supercar-like soundtrack as the engine climbs willingly toward its 6,800 rpm redline.
This is an extraordinary engine defined by immense character, offering an endless reservoir of low-end and midrange muscle for effortless passing maneuvers, alongside surprising refinement and smoothness during high-speed cruising. Selecting Sport or Sport+ mode via the drive-mode selector unleashes a palpable surge of raw energy.
Naturally, physics dictates that an object weighing more than three tons and standing nearly six feet tall can never handle quite like a dedicated sports car. However, the GLS 63 makes a remarkably valiant effort, assisted by an electronically locking rear differential that proves exceptionally effective at putting all 603 horsepower down onto the asphalt. The steering setup is similarly well-judged; while it initially feels slightly light at parking speeds, it quickly loads up to provide precise and highly communicative feedback.
The primary compromise for this level of athletic capability is a ride quality that remains resolutely firm, even when the suspension is set to Comfort mode. The sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires generate exceptional mechanical grip, but they also toss a noticeable amount of road noise into the cabin, making severe potholes obstacles that drivers will want to avoid at all costs.
Is It Worth It?
Arguably the most significant competitive challenge facing the GLS 63 stems from within the corporate family. Many performance-oriented buyers might find complete satisfaction in the exceptional GLS 580, which shares the same foundational 4.0-liter V-8 architecture and still churns out a muscular 530 horsepower. Alternatively, buyers willing to forgo third-row seating can opt for the lighter, more compact, AMG-tuned GLE 63, which utilizes the exact same 603-horsepower engine.
However, for families requiring three functional rows of passenger space paired with the capability to tow up to 7,700 pounds of heavy boat trailers or race-car haulers, this Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 delivers a uniquely potent blend of utility and performance that fully justifies its starting price of approximately $157,000.
