Mercedes took their biggest SUV, stuffed it with twin-turbo power and enough leather to upholster a yacht, then slapped a $120k price tag on it. We spent a week in the GLS 580 to see if a luxury three-row actually delivers or if you’re just paying for the badge.
- The GLS 580 packs a 483-horsepower twin-turbo V8 that hauls seven people effortlessly, hitting 60 mph in 5.2 seconds while feeling composed and planted
- Interior quality puts most living rooms to shame with Nappa leather everywhere, real wood trim, and massage functions in all three rows
- At $122,000 before options, you’re paying serious money for what might be the most comfortable way to move a small soccer team across state lines
What You Actually Get
The 2025 Mercedes GLS 580 4MATIC sits at the top of the three-row luxury SUV world. This isn’t your neighbor’s mid-size crossover with fake wood and cloth seats. We’re talking about a vehicle that weighs 5,600 pounds but moves like it forgot about half that mass.
Under the hood lives a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 cranking out 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Power gets split between all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic that shifts so smoothly you’ll forget it exists. The 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system comes standard, which feels right when people are dropping six figures on a family vehicle.
Zero to 60 mph happens in 5.2 seconds. Sports car territory for something that fits seven adults and their luggage. The transmission holds gears longer than you’d expect in Sport mode, and the exhaust note has just enough rumble to remind you there’s serious hardware under that long hood.
Inside Where the Money Shows
Open the door and you’ll understand where that $122,000 base price went. Nappa leather covers nearly every surface. The dashboard features real wood trim, not plastic, trying to look expensive. Both front seats offer heating, cooling, and massage functions with multiple programs that feel genuinely different from each other.
Captain’s chairs come standard in the second row. These aren’t token seats squeezed in to check a box. They recline, slide fore and aft, and come with their own climate controls. Each passenger gets a USB-C port and enough legroom to stretch out on long drives. Even the third row offers legitimate adult space, putting this Mercedes-Benz ahead of most competitors who treat the way-back as punishment seating.
The MBUX system runs through dual 12.3-inch screens for the gauge cluster and center display. Voice controls actually work when you say “Hey Mercedes,” and the navigation learns your habits over time. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with a Burmester sound system delivering concert-hall audio quality.
How It Actually Drives
The air suspension soaks up broken pavement like it isn’t there. Highway expansion joints that would rattle a BMW X7 barely register as bumps. The system automatically adjusts ride height based on speed, lowering the SUV at highway speeds for better aerodynamics and fuel economy.
Handling feels tighter than physics should allow for something this big. The steering offers actual feedback, and body roll stays minimal even when you push hard into corners. You won’t mistake it for a sports car, but it corners flatter than most mid-size sedans. The 4MATIC system shuffles power between wheels so quickly you’d need professional driving skills to catch it working.
Braking power matches the performance. The GLS 580 stops from 60 mph in 115 feet, beating several sports cars we’ve tested. Pedal feel stays consistent, and the system never feels overwhelmed, even when hauling seven passengers and their gear.
Living With It Daily
We drove the GLS 580 for a week through city traffic, highway cruising, and mountain roads. Fuel economy averaged 17 mpg combined, matching EPA estimates. Thirsty by modern standards, but you don’t buy a twin-turbo V8 SUV expecting Prius numbers.
Parking takes practice. At 201 inches long and 85 inches wide with mirrors, the GLS 580 fills parking spaces completely. The surround-view camera system helps, showing a bird’s-eye view plus front, rear, and side cameras. Parking sensors beep early and often, saving you from expensive body shop visits.
Cargo space measures 17.4 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. Enough room for airport runs with the family or a Costco trip that gets out of hand. The power-folding third row drops at the touch of a button, and the second row slides forward automatically when you need access to the way-back.
What Ownership Actually Costs
The $122,000 base price jumps quickly with options. Our test vehicle wore $18,000 in extras including the Executive Rear Seat Plus package ($4,950), 22-inch AMG wheels ($1,950), and the Driver Assistance Package ($2,250). You can easily push the final number past $145,000.
Insurance quotes averaged $2,400 annually, running about $800 more per year than a BMW X7. Maintenance follows Mercedes pricing, with scheduled service around $1,200 per year. The factory warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles, with roadside assistance for the same period.
Depreciation hits hard on luxury SUVs. Expect the GLS 580 to lose about 40% of its value in the first three years. Typical for the segment but means you’ll take a $50,000 hit buying new and selling after three years.
How It Stacks Up
The BMW X7 M60i matches the GLS 580 on power and price. It offers sharper handling but a harsher ride. Interior quality nearly matches Mercedes, though the third row offers less space.
Range Rover offers the standard model with a twin-turbo inline-six making less power but weighing less. It handles off-road terrain better than any competitor but falls behind on reliability. Interior quality matches Mercedes, and the ride quality edges ahead on rough roads.
The Cadillac Escalade V packs a supercharged V8 making 682 horsepower for similar money. Faster in a straight line but can’t match the Mercedes for handling or interior quality.
Who This SUV Actually Fits
The GLS 580 works for buyers who need legitimate seven-passenger capacity with luxury car comfort. Regularly hauling a full load of people and their stuff? The spacious third row and massive cargo area justify the size and cost. Families taking long road trips will love the quiet cabin and comfortable seats in all three rows.
Skip it if you rarely use the third row or don’t need the extra space. The GLE-Class offers similar luxury in a smaller package for $30,000 less. Save your money unless you actually need room for seven.
Bottom Line on Six Figures
The 2025 Mercedes GLS 580 does what it claims. You get room for seven adults, serious performance from the twin-turbo V8, and interior quality rivaling luxury sedans. The ride quality beats nearly every competitor, and the technology works without frustrating you.
But that $122,000 starting price buys a lot of other things. You could get a loaded GLE-Class and a nice sedan for the same money. Or a fully-loaded Toyota Sequoia plus $50,000 in the bank.
Need the space and can stomach the price? The GLS 580 won’t disappoint. It’s the most comfortable way to move seven people quickly. Just be sure you actually need what it offers before signing that check.
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