But does it have bounce mode? (E-Active Body Control)
Photography by David S. Wallens
Wanna ride shotgun with the GRM crew?
Welcome to this week’s test vehicle, a 2024 Mercedes‑AMG GLS 63.
The GLS platform gets a few updates for 2024, including a new grille, front bumper and taillights.
Something we look forward to sampling:
The "Off-Road Mode" in the current MBUX generation turns special content such as gradient, lateral inclination, compass and steering angle into a visual experience. Thanks to the standard Surround View system with 360‑degree camera, it offers the "transparent hood" function. When the Off-Road mode is active, the central display shows a virtual view under the front of the vehicle. This enables the driver to recognize obstacles in their path such as large rocks or deep potholes sooner and more easily.
As delivered, ours stickers at $153,000. Yes, we’ll be careful with it.
Questions about the driving experience? Let’s hear it.
We’ll be out with it over the weekend, so updates to come.
I got a GL 450 for my wife a while back. While it does not have the options that this one does it has been a really great family vehical doing everything we want in comfort. These really are under appreciated vehicles that on the used market are a great value. I am hoping that 153k price will translate in to 30k eight years from now.
We didn’t try the bounce mode this weekend–although you’re not the only person to ask about it–but will get to it.
The big AMG is a mighty fine machine. Quiet, fast, comfortable, confident. Easy to park despite the size–some credit has to go to all the camera but, in the end, it all works.
After a long day–autocross with camera in tow plus an evening photo shoot–the massaging seats were a blessing. They turned a slightly dreaded late-night drive home into something invigorating. Not distracting, not too much pressure. Just right.
A teaser from that photo shoot, but more to come. (Natural light, no editing and thank you, Hathim, for the time in front of the camera.)
I always thought massaging seats were a gimmick, so I'm glad to hear that they weren't–at least in the GLS 63.
As far as luxury SUVs go, it’s pretty sweet.
Take the sun visors as an example. They’re perfectly wrapped in an Alcantara-like fabric. So fuzzy, so huggable. But not too fuzzy.
The snap up and down with authority. No seams, no cut corners.
But what’s that hiding behind the sun visor? A secondary sun visor so when you have the main one in the side position you still have a forward-facing sun visor–you know, for full protection.
The interior materials: Somehow Mercedes-Benz perfectly blends together leather, aluminum and carbon fiber. I know, it sounds like someone randomly threw it all together, but here it works: both warm and cold coexisting.
By the way, did you know that modern Benzes have a column shift? Yup, just like a ’78 Malibu.
The steering wheel features two circular controls roughly at the 4:30 and 7:30 positions. 
But check it out: Each contains a tiny screen.
Driving manners: Again, it’s perfect. Quiet. Fast. Comfortable. Brakes for days. Despite the height, easy to get into.
Not a cheap date but, for those who can afford, not much is left to desire.
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