Mercedes-Benz GL-Class / GLS SUV (X166) · GL / GLS

X166

Halfway through its life, the car changed name.

Production
2012–2019
Body
SUV
Chassis
X166
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class / GLS SUV (X166) (X166)

Halfway through its life the car changed name: the GL-Class became the GLS in 2015, positioning itself explicitly as the S-Class of sport utility vehicles.

Built at Tuscaloosa from June 2012, the X166 offered the M276 V6, the M278 and M157 V8s and the OM642 diesel, with 7G-TRONIC and later 9G-TRONIC, permanent 4MATIC and optional AIRMATIC with the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM anti-roll setup.

The AMG GL 63 and its GLS 63 successor produced 585 PS. Production ran to April 2019.

X166 interior
Cabin of the X166.

Every model.

5 model designations across 2012–2019 — engines, transmissions and series codes for the X166.

ModelLata modelowePodwozieSilnikSkrzynia biegówRazem
GL 350 BlueTEC / GLS 350 d 4MATIC2012–2019166642722.9 —
GL 400 / GLS 400 4MATIC2012–2019166276725.0 —
GL 450 4MATIC2012–2019166278722.9 —
GL 500 / GLS 500 4MATIC2012–2019166278725.0 —
AMG GL 63 / GLS 63 4MATIC2012–2019166157722.9 —
X166 side profile
Studio profile of the X166 — the proportions that defined this generation.

Year by year.

From GL-Class launch to the GLS rename — the changes that identify early and facelift X166 seven-seaters.

  1. 2013
    • The second-generation GL reached the US with standard seven-seat packaging, 4MATIC, AIRMATIC air suspension, electromechanical steering and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST.
    • The range included GL 350 BlueTEC, GL 450, GL 550 and GL 63 AMG, with Crosswind Assist and ATTENTION ASSIST standard.
  2. 2017
    • The facelift renamed GL-Class as GLS and introduced a more upright grille, revised hood, bumpers, headlamps and LED tail-lamp graphics.
    • A new steering wheel, freestanding media display and touchpad modernized the cabin; 9G-TRONIC replaced the seven-speed automatic on non-AMG versions.
    • DYNAMIC SELECT provided configurable drive programs, while the GLS 63 adopted Mercedes-AMG branding and 577 hp in US specification.
  3. 2019
    • The X166 completed its final US model year before replacement by the X167 GLS.
X166 rear three-quarter view
Rear three-quarter view of the X166.