What is a luxury car? I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, especially after driving the Mercedes-Benz GLS 400d, the flagship of the three-pointed-star SUV lineup. Normally, the luxury features in a car are so in-your-face, it’s hard to ignore them, but in the GLS I had to go searching for them. From the outside, only one word comes to mind while describing the GLS — imposing. With its massive upright grille and piercing headlights, the GLS makes its presence felt whether you like it or not. You’re not showing up in a subtle manner in this, I can tell you that much. From the side, you see just how long the car is. It is, after all, a three-row SUV, and one that doesn’t make any compromises on space.
The GLS-Class now conforms to Mercedes’s new design language, and compared to the previous generation model, the GLS looks a lot more athletic. Narrow LED headlamps, tail-lamps and some strategically-placed curves on its side make it seem shorter than it is, and the resulting squat stance is very likeable. The GLS is missing a few essentials, though, if you ask me. Walk up to the car with the key in your pocket and tug at the door handle and most cars that cost a tenth of what this does, unlock the doors and grant you entry into the cabin, but not so in the GLS. You have to take out the key, push the unlock button like a commoner and only then can you enter. It seems like a glaring omission, but you’re usually not getting into the driver’s seat of an S-Class, are you?
This story is from the September 2020 edition of Motoring World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2020 edition of Motoring World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
INTO THE SHADOWS
Truthfully speaking, there is no such thing as too much carbon fibre, is there?
STEP-UP GAME
With a name that commands love and loyalty over generations, an update was inevitable
BOTH BARRELS
The new Shotgun 650 goes up against its own stable-mates. Does it deliver?
POTENTIAL PREDATOR
A much-anticipated racing bloodline, but does it deliver?
AFFORDABLE SILENCE
Could these two be your choice to enter the electric world? We find out.
FRENCH RECONNECTION?
Late to the party, Citroén C3 Aircross gets an AT!
TIME AFTER TIME
Old shapes and generous amounts of chrome never did go out of fashion, right? That's why we're all for Jawa's second comeback, this time with what's called the 350.
STEPPING IT UP
Unveiling the dynamic and feature-rich Kia Sonet we check out this refreshed compact SUV
TOP TIER
We check out the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, a robust SUV catering to those seeking the epitome of spacious, high-end luxury SUV
CENTENNIAL SPRINT
Škoda Auto India's thrilling race to 100k