The GLS-Class is a mild update, not a full redesign, of the second-generation GL-Class that began with the 2013 model year. Compare the two SUVs. The GLS-Class comes with a V-6 GLS450 or V-8 GLS550 engine, both turbocharged. All-wheel drive and seating for seven are standard; you can compare trim levels. Mercedes revised a handful of other areas, too — the bumper openings, some lower cladding and just barely the taillights — but those changes are even slighter. The GLS-Class is a mild update, not a full redesign, of the second-generation GL-Class that began with the 2013 model year. Compare the two SUVs. The GLS-Class comes with a V-6 GLS450 or V-8 GLS550 engine, both turbocharged. All-wheel drive and seating for seven are standard; you can compare trim levels. Mercedes revised a handful of other areas, too — the bumper openings, some lower cladding and just barely the taillights — but those changes are even slighter. At higher speeds, the nine-speed automatic transmission resists downshifts until your right foot is halfway to the floor. One editor found accelerator response immediate, but I observed outright lag off the line. But those are silver linings on a sluggish cloud. The doldrums translate to the rest of the driving experience, too. The steering wheel turns with smooth, consistent feedback, but the slow ratio, skittish tires and prodigious body roll will diminish any handling fun. Ride quality with the standard air suspension is soft but truck-like, with a creaky suspension and floaty, uncontrolled body motions over major bumps. Dump a wheel in a pothole and the GLS450 suffers lingering reverberations afterward. The brakes are equally truck-like, with an inch or so of pedal travel before anything happens. Adaptive shock absorbers and active stabilizer bars are also optional. If you plan any serious off-road driving, Mercedes offers an optional two-speed transfer case, locking center differential and front skid plate. Visibility is excellent thanks to tall windows and head restraints that nest into the seats in the second and third rows to clear up the view out back. Both the second and third rows have adult-friendly space. The third row treats passengers to a high seating position, big windows and padded armrests. Stitched, low-gloss materials adorn the upper dashboard and can optionally extend to the doors and lower dash. The climate control knobs still employ a rickety, yesteryear design, and the center console has patches of dull, cheap plastic. Mercedes and BMW are regular offenders with vinyl, but GLS competitors like the QX80, Cadillac Escalade and Land Rover Range Rover Sport all have standard cowhide. Doing any of that requires you to spin the knob to move the screen cursor to different selections and pick something. Fortunately, the GLS has a good factory navigation option with sharp graphics and plenty of street labels. Two USB ports, HD radio and Bluetooth phone and audio streaming are standard. The controller-and-touchpad combo described above is optional; without it, the GLS has a simpler knob, no touchpad and a 7-inch multimedia screen. In-car Wi-Fi and a rear entertainment system with two screens are optional, as well. With the third row folded, cargo space behind the second row is 49. With cushions that need to be flipped forward before the seats fold, they take a few more steps. The power-tumbling described above is just for third-row access; for cargo purposes, you have to manually fold them. The resulting load floor is flat, albeit with a slight gap between the two rows. Maximum cargo volume is 93. Safety The GLS-Class has not been crash-tested. A backup camera and drowsy-driver detection system are standard, as is a forward collision warning system with automatic emergency braking. Blind spot and lane departure warning systems are optional. Self-driving options include adaptive cruise control with lane-centering steering assist, which purports to keep your car centered — not just pinballing between lane markers — given the right conditions. Go to see a full list of standard safety equipment. A value choice it is not. But the GLS still has a trump card: practicality, even for its class. At their core, SUVs should be practical no matter the price or segment. But some luxury models have sacrificed this at the altar of performance or styling. For all its flaws in drivability and luxury, the GLS still does the whole SUV thing right. Send Kelsey an Hide full review What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty? Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties. What is a Powertrain warranty? Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations. What is included in Roadside Assistance? Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms if you have to wait for repairs. What other services could be included in a warranty? Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car. What does CPO mean? A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs. 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