The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has long held the title of the “S-Class of SUVs,” a three-row titan where uncompromising luxury meets vast capability. But the 2025 GLS 580 model doesn’t just meet expectations; it shatters them. This is the version that injects true, muscular twin-turbo V8 performance into a palatial cabin, blending the brutality of a high-powered sports car with the serenity of a first-class private jet.
While the 2025 model year refines a major refresh from the previous year, the enhancements—especially in technology and subtle luxury appointments—cement the GLS 580’s status as the definitive, power-focused choice for the modern luxury SUV buyer. We dive deep into the 4.0-liter heart of this beast, explore the opulence of its updated interior, and reveal the crucial new technology that makes the 2025 GLS 580 a surprising and compelling package.
Table of Contents
The Brutal Heart: Twin-Turbo V8 Performance Unleashed
The core identity of the GLS 580 is defined by its engine: a hand-assembled masterpiece that delivers truly shocking performance for an SUV of its size. Forget the base six-cylinder; the 580 carries the 4.0-liter Biturbo V8, a powerplant shared with some of Mercedes-AMG’s most aggressive vehicles, yet tuned here for smooth, effortless, and overwhelming torque.
The engine’s official output figures are staggering for a vehicle designed to haul seven passengers in comfort:
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 Performance Specs | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0L Biturbo V8 with EQ Boost | Code M177, detuned for luxury application |
| Gasoline Engine Horsepower | 510 hp @ 5,500 rpm | A significant power bump over older generations |
| Gasoline Engine Torque | 538 lb-ft @ 2,000–4,000 rpm | Peak torque arrives incredibly low for instant thrust |
| EQ Boost Electric Assist | Up to 21 hp / 184 lb-ft | Smooths power delivery and aids efficiency |
| 0–60 mph Acceleration (Est.) | 4.7 seconds | Astonishing for a vehicle weighing nearly 6,000 pounds |
| Transmission | 9G-TRONIC 9-speed Automatic | Quick, seamless shifts for comfort and speed |
The Power of EQ Boost: Hybridized V8 Muscle
The 2025 GLS 580 is not a simple V8 brute; it is a mild-hybrid. The EQ Boost system utilizes an Integrated Starter-Generator (ISG) nestled between the engine and the transmission. This 48-volt system does more than just aid fuel economy; it fundamentally changes the V8’s driving character.
The ISG provides instantaneous torque fill at the very bottom of the rev range, eliminating the momentary turbo lag that can afflict even the best twin-turbo engines. This burst of electric assistance makes the 580 feel supremely responsive off the line, contributing directly to its astonishing 4.7-second 0-60 mph time. Crucially, the system also facilitates exceptionally smooth start/stop functions and allows the massive SUV to “coast” with the V8 engine shut off for better fuel efficiency, a truly surprising feat for a twin-turbo V8.
Acceleration and On-Road Dynamics
Despite its imposing footprint, the GLS 580 drives far smaller than its 205.2-inch length suggests. The standard AIRMATIC Air Suspension and Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) work in concert to manage the car’s mass with surgical precision. The system automatically adjusts ride height and damping rates to driving conditions, ensuring that a brutal full-throttle acceleration run is immediately followed by a composed, cloud-like highway cruise.
For those who want to truly exploit the V8’s potential, the standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive system ensures grip is never an issue, channeling the massive torque smoothly to all four corners. Furthermore, the impressive 7,700-pound maximum trailering capacity proves this performance is not just for show; it is robust, real-world capability.
First-Class Cabin: Luxury Upgrades and Design Refinements
If the performance figures are shocking, the interior experience is simply reassuring. The 2025 GLS 580 cabin is where the vehicle truly earns its S-Class lineage. While the core design carries forward from the 2024 refresh, the 2025 model introduces critical enhancements that boost comfort, convenience, and driver engagement.
The Standard-Setting Seats and Materials
The 580 comes standard with elevated luxury that rivals its competitors’ optional packages. Standard Nappa leather upholstery sets the tone, complemented by open-pore wood trims and intricate aluminum accents.
- Front Seats: Standard heated and ventilated front seats with memory function, often coupled with available multi-contour seats offering massage functions.
- Second Row: The standard 7-seat configuration is highly flexible, but the popular Executive Rear Seating Package PLUS transforms the second row into a six-seater, offering two individual, electrically adjustable, heated, and ventilated captain’s chairs—creating a truly first-class experience for passengers.
- Acoustic Comfort Package: An often-overlooked but essential option, this package adds 2025 Mercedes GLS 580 side windows and enhanced insulation, drastically reducing road and wind noise to create a near-silent sanctuary, allowing the Burmester sound system (or the roar of the V8) to be the only sounds that penetrate the cabin.
New Steering Wheel and Standard Driver Aids
One of the most noticeable ergonomic improvements for 2025 is the updated steering wheel. Featuring a refreshed design, this wheel incorporates capacitive touch controls. While initially requiring a slight learning curve, these controls offer a seamless integration with the MBUX system and driver assistance features.
Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz has made its comprehensive Driver Assistance Package standard for 2025, ensuring that owners benefit from:
- Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC (adaptive cruise control)
- Active Steering Assist (advanced lane centering)
- Active Blind Spot Assist
- Active Stop-and-Go Assist (traffic jam assist)
The inclusion of the **Surround View Camera System** as standard further simplifies maneuvering this large luxury vehicle in tight urban settings.
The Brains of the Beast: Surprising New Tech Revealed
The 2025 GLS 580 is just as much a technological flagship as a performance one. The digital experience is centered around the seamless, cohesive design of the dual 12.3-inch screens for the driver display and the central MBUX infotainment system.
MBUX Evolution and Biometric Security
The latest generation of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) is faster, more intuitive, and heavily relies on natural language understanding. A simple “Hey Mercedes” can control navigation, climate, and media with impressive accuracy.
However, the surprising new tech additions for 2025 focus on personalization and immersion:
- Standard Biometric Fingerprint Sensor: Now standard, this sensor allows the driver to quickly and securely log into their personal MBUX profile, instantly loading seat positions, mirror settings, preferred radio stations, and climate controls—a level of secure personalization that truly elevates the luxury experience.
- Augmented Video Navigation: This impressive feature overlays real-time street names, directional arrows, and house numbers onto a live feed from the forward-facing camera, projected directly onto the central screen. It virtually eliminates confusion in complex intersections, making navigation effortless.
Acoustic Comfort and Dolby Atmos Sound
Perhaps the most compelling technology upgrade for the audiophile is the improved Burmester Surround Sound System, which now incorporates Dolby Atmos spatial audio technology.
Dolby Atmos creates a truly three-dimensional soundscape, enveloping passengers in a way that standard surround sound cannot match. Whether you are streaming high-definition audio or utilizing the updated wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems, the sound quality is rich, clear, and perfectly tailored to the GLS’s expansive cabin, transforming every drive into a concert hall experience.
GLS 580 vs. The Competition: A Performance & Luxury Benchmark
The GLS 580 exists in a rarefied air, competing directly with high-performance, ultra-luxury three-row SUVs like the BMW X7 M60i and the Land Rover Range Rover LWB. While the BMW often takes the edge in pure, raw track dynamics, and the Range Rover provides a unique, classic English luxury, the GLS 580 stands out as the ultimate synthesis of all attributes.
| Feature Comparison | 2025 Mercedes GLS 580 | BMW X7 M60i (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Configuration | 4.0L Biturbo V8 w/ Mild Hybrid (EQ Boost) | 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 w/ Mild Hybrid |
| Horsepower (Total) | 510 hp | 523 hp |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 538 lb-ft | 553 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph (Est.) | 4.7 seconds | 4.5 seconds |
| Luxury Seating | 6 or 7 seats (Standard Nappa Leather) | 6 or 7 seats (Standard Extended Merino Leather) |
| Towing Capacity | 7,700 lbs | 7,500 lbs |
| Standout Tech | Standard Biometric Sensor, Dolby Atmos Audio | Available Highway Assistant (Hands-free Driving) |
The GLS 580’s power deficit compared to the X7 M60i is negligible in real-world driving. However, its superior towing capacity and the inclusion of high-end comfort technologies like the standard biometric sensor and available massaging rear seats firmly position it as the more well-rounded, comfort-focused, and technologically comprehensive choice in the ultra-luxury segment. This is the V8 SUV that doesn’t force owners to sacrifice family-hauling utility for thrilling performance.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 GLS 580
- Q1: What is the primary difference between the 2025 GLS 580 and the GLS 450?
- A: The fundamental difference is the engine. The GLS 450 utilizes a 3.0-liter turbocharged Inline-6 engine (375 hp / 369 lb-ft). The GLS 580 upgrades to the much more powerful 4.0-liter Biturbo V8 (510 hp / 538 lb-ft). This V8 grants the 580 significantly faster acceleration (4.7 seconds vs. 5.8 seconds 0-60 mph) and comes with higher standard luxury features, such as larger wheels and more standard leather upholstery.
- Q2: Does the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system allow for all-electric driving?
- A: No, the EQ Boost system is a mild-hybrid (48-volt), not a plug-in or full hybrid. It does not allow for sustained all-electric driving. Its primary function is to provide torque assistance, power the electrical systems, improve the smoothness of the engine’s start/stop function, and allow the car to coast with the V8 engine temporarily shut off to save fuel.
- Q3: Are the two 12.3-inch screens standard on the GLS 580?
- A: Yes. The centerpiece of the GLS 580’s cockpit is the stunning digital setup, which includes a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster for the driver and a contiguous 12.3-inch touchscreen display for the MBUX infotainment system. Both are seamlessly housed under a single piece of glass and are standard equipment.
- Q4: Can I get the GLS 580 with the optional E-Active Body Control?
- A: While the GLS 580 comes standard with the sophisticated AIRMATIC Air Suspension, the groundbreaking E-Active Body Control (which includes the famous “Free Driving Mode” or “Bounce Mode”) is typically an optional package, sometimes tied to the Off-Road package. It is the most advanced suspension system offered, actively scanning the road ahead and adjusting each wheel’s damping and spring rate individually to counteract body roll and pitch. It is an impressive technological feat well worth considering for maximum comfort.
- Q5: Is the 2025 model significantly different from the 2024 model?
- A: No, the 2024 model year marked the significant refresh with major exterior and interior design changes, plus the horsepower boost for the V8. The 2025 model year is mainly characterized by subtle but important standardization of key features (like the Biometric Sensor and Driver Assistance Package), the introduction of Dolby Atmos audio, and minor material and color palette updates. It represents a refinement of an already excellent package.
