Mercedes-Benz GLS (GL-Class) History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
Start with a make and model. Add a year where a detailed guide is available.
Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
Browse this model's history and yearsHistory
The GL-Class (X164, 2007) was Mercedes' first full-size, three-row luxury SUV, built in Alabama alongside the M-Class.
Renamed GLS for 2016 under the revised nomenclature, it is the SUV flagship of the range — effectively the 'S-Class of SUVs' — and underpins the Mercedes-Maybach GLS.
Generations
GL (X164) · X164
The original full-size three-row GL-Class.
2007 Photo: “2007 Mercedes-Benz GL 320 CDI (X 164) wagon (2007-10-12)” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.
2009 Photo: “2009 Mercedes-Benz GL 320 CDI (X 164 MY09) wagon (2011-04-02)” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.
2011 Photo: “2011 Black Mercedes-Benz X164 GL 500 4Matic in London (6649035897)” by Ben from LONDON, United Kingdom / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2012 Photo: “2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueEfficiency CDi 3.0 Front” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
GL / GLS (X166) · X166
Renamed GLS in 2016.
GLS (X167) · X167
Current GLS; underpins the Mercedes-Maybach GLS.
Body styles
- 4-door SUV
Notable special editions & performance variants
AMG GLS 63 (GL63 AMG)
The high-performance V8 GLS/GL-Class.
Mercedes-Maybach GLS
Ultra-luxury Maybach version of the full-size SUV.
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Mercedes-Benz GLS (GL-Class)
Search Amazon across available years, colors, and scales. Exact releases vary, so confirm the listing before ordering.