It is remarkably easy to get entirely rhapsodic when examining Mercedes-AMG’s newest iteration of the GLS 63. Its meticulously crafted cabin, its accommodating trio of rows designed for six or seven occupants, and its bold, head-turning style—highlighted by towering 23-inch rims and a striking new illuminated grille—are certainly noteworthy attributes. Yet, at its absolute core, the true appeal of this high-performance luxury sport utility vehicle resides beneath its sculpted hood, driven entirely by an extraordinary engine upgrade.
For the 2027 model year, Mercedes-AMG has comprehensively redesigned its signature 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 power plant. The heavily revised engine now churns out an impressive 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 aided considerably by a newly implemented launch-control feature.
This formidable power plant is officially Mercedes-AMG’s new-generation M177 EVO engine. It has been significantly enhanced and enlivened by the integration of a flat-plane crankshaft, an engineering feature traditionally associated with the shrieking, high-revving engines found in elite supercars. According to information provided by AMG, this innovative design successfully lowers internal mass, delivers markedly sharper throttle response, and makes the V-8 noticeably more eager to rev through its power band. Additionally, this sophisticated mechanical architecture assists the manufacturer in complying with increasingly stringent global emissions regulations.
If this more potent and responsive engine were not enough to capture the attention of automotive enthusiasts, the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 bristles with fresh technology and advanced engineering enhancements designed to sharpen its overall driving dynamics. It also arrives with a significantly more distinctive exterior design language and an even higher tier of luxury tailored for its cavernous cabin. Collectively, these comprehensive updates provide this latest hot-rod GLS with ample room to stand out decisively within the fiercely contested segment of three-row performance SUVs, where it competes directly against formidable rivals such as Cadillac’s 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 observers and prospective buyers should view this latest iteration as a midlife facelift, albeit an exceptionally significant one, with a reported 40 percent of its components being entirely new. From a visual standpoint, it cuts a much bolder profile. For starters, it adopts a commanding new Panamericana-style grille, complete with vertical chrome bars that pay a direct historical homage to the legendary 1952 Mercedes 300 SL race car that famously competed in the grueling Carrera Panamericana road race across Mexico.
The exterior lighting array has also undergone a dramatic modernization. The vehicle now features a continuous ring of bright-white LEDs encircling the larger, thicker-framed grille. Enlarged headlights incorporate sophisticated, glowing three-pointed-star running lights, while fresh taillights boast an integrated three-pointed-star motif that establishes a striking nocturnal signature.
Looking down toward the rear fascia, observers will immediately notice the new AMG Performance exhaust system, which showcases a quartet of ovoid pipes protruding aggressively from a revised rear diffuser. At all four corners, the GLS 63 rides on freshly designed wheels, including a commanding 23-inch multi-spoke alloy option as well as a distinctive five-spoke 23-inch monoblock design that nods to classic AMG heritage.
Stepping inside reveals a completely redesigned dashboard, which is dramatically enhanced by the marque’s full-width MBUX Superscreen layout. This immersive digital environment utilizes a seamless trio of 12.3-inch displays, including a dedicated screen for the front-seat passenger to manage navigation or entertainment. Furthermore, the vehicle incorporates the advanced new MB.OS operating system, which features vastly improved "Hey Mercedes" voice recognition commands powered by artificial intelligence searches, alongside deeply integrated Google Maps functionality. Reassuringly for traditionalists, Mercedes-AMG has wisely retained plenty of physical buttons for primary climate and driving controls.
Drivers will also grip a new, thickly rimmed AMG steering wheel available in a variety of premium coverings. Naturally, buyers are presented with an expansive array of upscale interior materials sourced from the automaker’s rapidly expanding Manufaktur customization program. Perhaps the sole interior misstep is the inclusion of overly vibrant, neon cabin lighting that occasionally gives the expansive interior the distinct aesthetic feel of Tokyo by night.
Design
Despite the extensive revisions, the full-bodied GLS 63 remains the largest model within the ever-expanding Mercedes-Benz fleet of sport utility vehicles. Measuring more than 206 inches from nose to tail, it still falls slightly short of length compared to Audi’s new SQ9, which stretches 209 inches, and Cadillac’s mammoth Escalade-V, which measures 212 inches. Nevertheless, standing a towering 70 inches tall, drivers will never mistake it for anything other than an absolute automotive behemoth on the open highway.
Yet, courtesy of the latest exterior design interventions, the vehicle possesses a more distinctive aesthetic presence than ever before, particularly when rolling on those massive 23-inch wheels. Exclusive AMG styling cues further amplify its road-going authority. These include a heavily contoured, power-domed hood, a more aggressive front fascia featuring substantially enlarged lower air intakes, and a selection of striking new paint colors. Among these fresh hues are Mid-Green Metallic, Moonlight White Magno, and the deep, captivating Mystic Blue Metallic found on display models.
Powertrain and Hardware
While the introduction of the new M177 EVO V-8 undeniably strengthens 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 featuring a next-generation integrated starter-generator. Operating primarily at lower engine speeds, this electrical architecture supplements the powertrain with an additional 23 horsepower and 151 foot-pounds of torque. While it does not enable pure electric-only driving capability, its primary functions are to deliver an instantaneous surge of off-the-line acceleration and to render the automatic stop-start system virtually imperceptible in heavy urban traffic.
To ensure that the substantial Mercedes handles twisty roads with nearly as much competence as it conquers straightaways, the GLS 63 is equipped with AMG Active Ride Control+ active-roll stabilization. This advanced system actively works to reduce body roll when cornering aggressively, fostering significantly more stable and precise handling characteristics. The stabilization technology operates in tandem with the vehicle’s standard air suspension system. When drivers elect to venture off the beaten path, this suspension can elevate the vehicle’s ride height by an impressive 2.2 inches. Meanwhile, adaptive damping delivers a purposely firm ride quality when switched to Comfort mode, transitioning to an even firmer, track-focused response when Comfort is abandoned for Sport or Sport+ settings, all while successfully keeping body lean strictly in check.
Performance
Operating a full-size SUV that tips the scales at over 6,000 pounds is inherently challenging, but the exhaustive array of AMG performance enhancements transforms the
latest GLS 63 into an unexpectedly thrilling machine. Straight-line acceleration is nothing short of explosive, and the combination of the new AMG exhaust system and the V-8 engine’s flat-plane crankshaft architecture produces an urgent, aggressive acoustic soundtrack that feels entirely uncharacteristic of a traditional family SUV as the tachometer needle sweeps toward its 6,800-rpm redline.
This is a genuinely sensational engine endowed with immense character, offering seemingly endless low-end and midrange muscle for effortless passing maneuvers, alongside surprising refinement and smoothness during high-speed cruising. Dialing up Sport or Sport+ via the console-mounted drive-mode selector awakens a palpable reservoir of raw energy within the chassis.
Naturally, no vehicle weighing more than three tons and standing nearly six feet tall will ever handle with the delicate agility of a dedicated sports car. However, the GLS 63 makes a valiant effort, aided by an electronically locking rear differential that proves exceptionally effective at transferring all 603 horsepower directly to the pavement. The steering setup is also well-judged; while it initially feels slightly lighter than expected at low parking speeds, it quickly reveals itself to be remarkably precise and communicative as speeds rise.
The primary compromise for this level of athletic capability is a notably firm ride quality, which remains evident even when the vehicle is placed in its softest Comfort setting. High-performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires provide phenomenal levels of lateral grip, but they also generate a noticeable degree of coarse road noise over imperfect asphalt surfaces, making deep potholes obstacles that drivers will want to avoid at all costs.
Is It Worth It?
Arguably, the most formidable challenges facing this latest GLS 63 originate from within the broader Mercedes-Benz product portfolio. Many performance-oriented buyers may find complete satisfaction in the exceptional GLS 580, which utilizes a similar 4.0-liter V-8 engine layout while still generating a highly respectable 530 horsepower. Alternatively, buyers who are willing to forgo third-row seating entirely can opt for the lighter, more compact, AMG-tuned GLE 63, which shares the exact same 603-horsepower output in a smaller footprint.
Nevertheless, for buyers who specifically require three functional rows of seating alongside the heavy-duty utility of towing up to 7,700 pounds of heavy boat trailers or race-car haulers, this Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 delivers a visceral, high-performance motoring experience that fully justifies its substantial starting price of approximately $157,000.
