 What is up you guys? Welcome back to another one. If you're new to the channel, I'm Gold Penning, I do new car truck SUV reviews on YouTube. And today we are in the brand new 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 courtesy of Mercedes-Benz of Hagerstown in Hagerstown, Maryland. For more information on their inventory, please feel free to check out the link in the description box below. And so we are in this one today because there are actually several changes for the 2022 model year. And essentially this is the S-Class of SUVs, at least according to Mercedes-Benz, this thing actually seats up to seven passengers as well. And it has that new home smell. Yes, I said that correctly, not the new car smell, but it literally smells like when I was building my home back three years ago or whatever. So it smells like wood essentially. So I'm a huge fan of that. But anyways, in this video, we will be testing out and going over everything about this one from acceleration to braking, steering wheel ride quality, sound system exhaust, all that fun stuff. So having said all that, what do you guys say? Let's just go ahead and jump right into it. And as always, let's start with pricing. That's a MSRP for the GLS 450. We'll start at $77,850. However, this particular GLS that we are in today runs right over $92,000 essentially, but Powering the Beast is going to be a three liter turbocharged inline six cylinder with mild hybrid drive, putting out 362 horsepower, 5,500 RPM, 369 pound feet of torque coming in at 1,600 RPM, power sent to all four wheels through the Mercedes-Benz four-matic all wheel drive system. Now power sent to the ground through a nine speed automatic with paddle shifters giving you a zero to 60 time coming in at approximately 5.9 seconds. MPG numbers then are going to come in at 18 in the city, 24 in the highway taking premium on leaded fuel. So before we do any kind of fun acceleration test here in our GLS, I wanted to mention to you guys, the drive modes, it is labeled dynamic select. That button is just to the left of the touch pad controller that will include Eco, comfort, sport, off-road and individual, allowing you to adjust different driving characteristics including shift points, throttle response, steering sensitivity and the aromatic air suspension settings as well. So we'll get more into that of course in a little bit here. But having not got all of that out of the way, what do you guys say? Let's go ahead and find it straight away. Let's put the paddle shifters and acceleration here to the test and let's see how quickly we can get our new 2022 GLS 450 here up to speed. Three, two, one, go. Let's go away. This is a pretty darn insanely fast SUV. Considering there's three rows in this thing, you're most certainly not going to have any issues emerging onto the highway. That was plenty of power and of course, no turbo lag at the beginning either, due in part because of that mild hybrid drive system that comes on this thing. So plenty of an acceleration without a doubt in the GLS 450. But anyways, to go along with that acceleration as always, braking is equally important. So upfront, you will find 14.8 inch ventilated front discs in the back, 13.6 inch ventilated rear discs. As far as that 60 to zero stopping distance goes, that's going to come in an extremely impressive 113 feet. And since there's nobody behind us, that's excellent. Honestly, it's excellent. I mean, it's not that firm of a braking feel because it is a three row SUV after all, but it's plenty fine. It instantly brings this thing to a stop. And considering, again, this is a larger SUV, 60 to zero and 113 feet is dang impressive. I tested other SUVs out there that'll do it at 139 and typically with three-row SUVs. You get upper 120s if not 130 feet. So 113 for this size of a vehicle, that's brilliant. But anyways, then touching on suspension and handling, upfront, you're going to get an independent double wishbone type front suspension in the back, independent multi-link rear suspension, adaptive damping suspension as well, and a self-leveling aromatic air suspension. So essentially, you have every possible suspension option that you would want, especially on this SUV. So typically, I always like to recommend the adaptive suspension because I can always tell a very clear difference with that. But then when you add an air suspension on top of that, it doesn't get any better than that. Those are the two options. If you want the most pristine ride quality that you want to look for is the air suspension and the adaptive damping suspension. Because adaptive damping suspension monitors each shock absorber individually, not only adjusting to the road imperfections, giving you a smoother ride, but also tightening up that suspension during heavy cornering, giving you the best of both worlds. And of course, the air suspension smooths everything out. So the ride quality is absolutely amazing. And it is here in the GLS450 ride quality. This is probably the smoothest SUV I have ever tested in my last 650 test drives or so. So incredibly smooth ride, and we are driving right now. You guys can tell the cabin noise is pretty much not existent. It is an extremely serene cabin minus my loud self in here. And I did want to mention on top of that, there is an acoustic comfort package that goes for $1,100. And that actually gives you an acoustic laminated front windshield, as well as acoustic side windows as well. As far as steering feel goes, it's kind of perfect. It definitely actually leans a little bit more on the heavier side of things, which is surprising because typically in three wheeler SUVs, you don't get that. You get the loosey-goosey feel with no emotion, which I don't like. But in this one, it feels great. Honestly, it really does. Then touching on visibility, I actually can see perfectly fine out the back. And I like that those third row headrests kind of tucked down into the seats when they're not in use, like I am currently looking at, because that really does impede visibility when they are up. So I like that they are able to be tucked down. So a huge fan of that. Reinserts and windshield wipers also do come standard, and there is a head-up display available for an additional $1,100, projecting your speed, speed limit, and safety information up onto your windshield if you wanted to go that route. But that pretty much rounds out the performance segment of this review, you guys. So go ahead and take a look at the exterior of her brand new 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450. All right, so here she is, you guys. The new 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 finished in polar white. In case anybody was curious of our exact exterior color name here. Let's go ahead and start up front on this one. Of course, you have that twin silver slat front grille coming standard. There is an illuminated star available for $500 as well if you wanted to go that option. I've seen that one before and I always liked how that looked. We'll have some added chrome front trim on that bottom portion of that front bumper there as well. LED headlights to the sides with LED daytime running lights do come standard along with the automatic feature, meaning when it starts to get dark at night, those headlights will turn on automatically for you there. Automatic high beams also coming standard, meaning if you have your high beams on at night and since the vehicle coming in the opposite direction, it's gonna automatically bump that back down to low beams, then when the vehicle is gone, it's gonna automatically then put it back up to high beams, so that's pretty convenient. And there is an AMG specific front fascia with the AMG line packages. We do have one of those packages here today, so for example, there's twin slats on the bottom two corners there as opposed to a singular one where you would get in the non-AMG line package. So I did wanna mention that as well. I think it looks pretty darn good, but that pretty much rounds out the front end of this one. Let's not go ahead and make our way to the side of the GLS. All right, so now since we are around to the side of this one, raised aluminum roof rails do come standard. I like that. Got the satin chrome trim, window surrounds also coming standard as well. You'll find some additional chrome trim on the door handles themselves. Then you have that aluminum trim on the side steps there all the way to the bottom. Rear privacy glass is going to come standard across the board. Take a look at the side mirrors. They are body color power adjustable side mirrors. They will be heated with LED integrated turd signals. They will be power folding as well. It doesn't always come standard on SUVs, but I guess since this is the GLS, of course it does. Did wanna also mention another feature that we don't have today, but it is available. There are actually soft closed doors available for the GLS 450 that goes for $550 then if you wanted to go that route. Then take a look down at the wheel configuration. There are some newly standard 20 inch eight spoke aluminum alloys that again, brand new for 2022 now comes standard on this thing. And of course there are actually 21, 22 and 23 inch wheel designs available as well, including these AMG line specific wheels that we have here on our GLS 450 today. But pretty much rounds out the side profile. Let's now go ahead and make our way to the back. And so now since we are around to the back of this one, first thing I wanna mention, there is no shark fin or body colored antenna all the way to the top. Definitely Emmy fan of that, a much cleaner look. But anyways, rear spoiler with an integrated brake light does come standard rear window wiper just below that. There is some chrome trim tying together two tail lights that also carries onto that rear bumper as well. LED tail lights by the way do come standard and to the side's integrated dual exhaust outlets with chrome tips. So having said that, I do believe you guys know what we have to do next is always here is that exhaust clip. It's been out since we are around to the back of the GLS when it comes to opening that rear tailgate, it is a hands free power tailgate that does come standard. So that's definitely nice. Once opened up, cargo capacity behind that third row comes in at 17.4 cubic feet. If that was not enough space or are some buttons found in the cargo area can fold that third row down, bumping that up to 42.7 cubic feet behind the second row then. Then with all rows folded, that is going to bump that up yet again to 84.7 cubic feet. But in that cargo area, of course, can find some cargo lighting. That's a given there are tie down acres. There are side parcel nets. There's a grocery bag hook, 12 volt power outlet. And if you were to lift up underneath of that cargo floor, you're actually going to find a spare tire which I was actually happy to see. I always prefer that as opposed to the fix-a-flap but there's actually also a button in the cargo area though to actually lower the rear suspension by nearly two inches because we do have the air suspension after all for easier loading and unloading. So thought that was a pretty luxurious feature there as well, but then make your way up to the rear leg room. This is kind of impressive, you guys. Third row leg room is going to come in at 34.6 inches. So very impressive there. For reference, I'm in even six feet tall. This is how much space I had in that third row. Demo to also mention there for the third row passengers there are a couple of cup holders on each side back there but there's also a couple of phone charging ports on each side back there which you don't always find in the third row. So I thought that was pretty cool too. And of course there is rear ventilation found on the ceiling or the roof of this thing for all three rows as well. But then making our way up to the second row leg room that is going to come in at 41.9 inches. So again, for reference, I'm in even six feet tall. This is how much space I had back there. Demo to also mention though, traditionally this is going to come with bench sheeting meaning there's going to be three seats in that second row there but captain's chairs are available for an additional $0. It is a free option. So if you wanted captain's chairs that is available and that's the option that we have today. So seating for six in our particular GLS 450. Demo to also mention though, heated second row seats are available. We do have that option as well. That goes for $580. Our power second row side window sunshades. Again, we have that as well. That goes for $580. I love that, especially if you got young kids or a newborn driving him from the hospital. That is definitely going to be where it's at. Five zone climate control is available for $400 if you wanted to go that route. Otherwise you get standard four zone climate control which means both rear passengers there in the second row can still set the room temperature. So that's pretty crazy. But heated second row armrests are part of a $1900 package option. And again, we do have that. That's just so crazy. But anyways, of course you have a couple of phone charging ports for them. There's actually 115 volt power outlet back there then as well. But now making our way to the front seats, power adjustable front seats obviously come standard memory settings for up to three different drivers that can be found on the driver's side door. But there's also memory settings for up to three different passengers because they have their memory settings on the passenger seat there as well, which is pretty cool. You don't always get that even on luxury vehicles. MBtex upholstery is going to be the standard finish for this seating. However, full leather is available for $1620. The Napa Leather is available for $2,990 if you wanted that. Heated front seats do come standard ventilated front seats now are newly standard for the 2022 model year. For the 2021 model year, they didn't come standard. They were an added option, but now they come standard. So that's pretty cool. Multi-contoured front seats with a massage function that is an option that goes for $1,100 if you wanted to go that route. But ultimately, seating was insanely comfortable with all the adjustments that are available for this seating, you're definitely not gonna have any issues finding your perfect driving position. But then taking a look at the steering wheel, this is where it really gets good. Power, tilt, and telescoping to start. It is leather wraps that come standard. However, there is a wood and leather combination like we have today available for an additional $600. I love it. You don't see it that often so I'm definitely a big fan. And heated steering wheel, another option that goes for $250 if you wanted to go that route. But to make our way to the startup, let me first start by showing you guys the key here. You do have your lock button all the way to the top. Unlock button just below the Mercedes logo there and there is that button to pop over your tailgate if you wanted to use that as well. But ultimately, it is all keyless entry with a push button start. So all I'm going to do here is simply put my front of the brake and press that black engine start button located just by the driver's right knee. And so, once started up, 12.3 inch digital gauge cluster does come standard and it is completely customizable. There are plenty of different looks and gauge configurations with different colors, different load outs that you can display up there, which is one of the beauties of having a digital gauge cluster in general. So I have always been a fan of Mercedes-Benz's gauges. You also, of course, get your basics outside temperature. How many miles do you have left until you hit empty and a ton of other things there as well? So everything you could possibly want up there. Digital speedometer if you wanted that. So very nicely done when it comes to the gauges here. Did take a look at overall interior quality. A power sunroof is going to come standard. However, there is an optional panoramic glass roof that is available and we do have that option. So that's pretty cool. Home light controls wrapped to three different garage doors can be found just below the frameless rear view mirror. So that is nice as well. Again, four-zoom climate control coming standard. Five-zoom climate control is available. There is a gray-lended wood trim that comes standard. We do have a wood trim, but it is not gray. And perhaps between that wood trim and the wood trim on the steering wheel, maybe that is why this thing is smelling like a new home as opposed to a new car. So that is pretty cool. Anyway, 64 colors of ambient lighting, also coming standard. Heated and cold front cup holders is available option. We do have that option. The gauges for $180. So that's a super big feature there as well. I absolutely love that. Overall, interior quality is flawless. Every time I review a Mercedes Benz, I say typically that it has the very best interior quality of any of the other manufacturers that I test out. And that is still true to this state. Mercedes really focuses on luxury and they do a very good job of it whether it be the contrast stitching or the wood trim or the heated and cold cup holders. But nonetheless, let's now go ahead and take a look at the infotainment screen. It is a 12.3-inch color touchscreen display to match the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, of course. But like I said, it is touchscreen. You can also use the touchpad controller located just behind the cup holders. And there is also that option to simply say, hey, Mercedes, and then it essentially will do whatever you want it to do. I'm sorry. Can you say that again, please? You see what I'm talking about? Bluetooth and audio streaming, of course, does come standard Android Auto Apple CarPlay as well. Factory navigation system also coming standard. And my very favorite part, essentially, to all of the infotainment screens on Mercedes-Benz is if you swipe up from the very bottom there, there's a section called Themes that gives you a bunch of different themes that completely alter the experience of Mercedes-Benz whether it be adventure, trip, experience, efficiency, lounge, or standard. And not only adjust the digital gauge cluster, like I was mentioning to you guys not too long ago, but it could do a bunch of other things too, like adjust the ambient lighting or adjust whether or not the moonroof is open or closed. It really does control a good bit of the interior of this cabin, which I am a huge fan of. So one of those things that just never gets all of it. Anyways, of course you can find your radio information up on the infotainment screen as well. And so by the way, when it comes to the standard sound system here on the GLS450, you will get a 13-speaker Bermester sound system, 590 Watts dual subwoofers, and a nine-channel digital amplifier. So having said all that, what do you guys say? Let's go ahead and turn on the radio to see what we got playing today. And let's test out the clarity of this one. That was awesome. Quite honestly, the clarity was brilliant. The bass was plenty fine, not the most bass I've ever heard, but still that was a brilliant sound system. Not only that, if you guys look at the speaker covers for this Bermester sound system here, they are very high-end. They're made of aluminum. They're not plastic. They're the real thing. So that is definitely a very cool-looking speaker cover as well. But anyways, last thing I wanna mention to you guys on the infotainment screen is when you do put the GLS 450 in reverse, you will find a rear view camera coming standard across the board. But you also have a 360-degree monitor if you wanted to display that as well giving you that bird's eye view, which is always, it's going to lead us into safety. And so to start, front-side side curtain airbags do come standard. Driver's Knee airbag coming standard as well. Second-row side impact airbags that goes for $700 if you wanted to go that route that is available. But it doesn't come standard. Typically, manufacturers like Mercedes and BMW will have that as an option for you. But in the back, you're gonna have latch, aka the where anchors and tethers, children for the rear car seats, rear child door locks, temperature monitoring system, but also coming standard will be active brake assist. Mercedes spends emergency call service, meaning if you were to get into an accident, the vehicle is going to automatically call you and ask you if you need an ambulance or the police or whatever the case is. So that is definitely a very nice safety feature in itself. Attention assist, crosswind assist, blind spot assist, park-tronic with active parking assist. That's a crazy feature where the car literally parks itself for you, not just parallel parks, but finds a parking spot and then asks you if you want to pull in or back in. It's a crazy feature. But that the braking technology, auto-dimming rear-view mirror with the driver's side dimming mirror as well, which is pretty cool. You'd always get that. But then there is a driver's distance plus package that goes for $1950. And that gives you a bunch of added advanced safety as well, including adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, invasive steering assist, active brake assist with cross-trophic function, emergency stop assist, blind spot assist, lane keep assist, lane change assist, speed limit recognition, and root-based speed adaptation as well. So overall, when it comes to my final thoughts, this is without a doubt the smoothest ride quality for an SUV that I have ever tested. And I've tested quite a bit at this point, hundreds. So great handling as well. And again, you get that with the suspension components that they put on this thing. Wonderful interior quality. And Mercedes-Benz really can't be beat when it comes to interior quality. So I'm definitely a huge fan of that as well. And perhaps my favorite part, this thing smells like a brand new house. But let me know what you guys think of the GLS450 in the comments section below. That is about it for this one. You guys, thank you so much for watching. Feel free to follow me on social media. If you wanted to see what's coming next on the channel before it actually gets to YouTube, be sure to hit the subscribe and the bell notification button. If you're into new car reviews, that is what we do here on this channel after all. Do appreciate you guys watching more than you know. And I will see you guys all in the next video. Stay gold.