Mercedes GLS X168 rumors: Truth or lie?

The rumor about the Mercedes GLS X168 is partly true: the new GLS has indeed been officially shown, and a 2027 model-year vehicle already exists publicly. However, the X168 index itself is not confirmed in Mercedes’ publicly available materials, while current technical and service references for the present GLS still cite the 167 family.

So what’s worth judging here isn’t the flashy code, but the essence of the model. The GLS is a large premium SUV for those who need three rows, highway quietness, plenty of pulling power, and a proper trunk even in family mode. For city life with tight parking, fuel savings, and low running costs, it’s not the most convenient format.

The model and its place in the market

The Mercedes GLS is the brand’s flagship full-size SUV in the regular lineup, larger and more family-practical than the GLE. Its core purpose is long-distance travel, carrying seven people, towing, and flagship-sedan levels of comfort—not city agility.

In the market it sits alongside the BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, Range Rover, and Lincoln Navigator. In short, people choose the GLS not for “sportiness,” but for space, ride smoothness, rich equipment, and a very wide range of versions—from the calmer GLS 450 to the AMG GLS 63.

As for “X168,” today it’s more of a media label than a confirmed factory index. The truth is that the next GLS already exists; the false part is presenting it as if the X168 code has already been officially закреплен.

Generations and model history

As a separate model name, GLS has existed since 2015. The first generation GLS X166 was produced from 2015 to 2019, and since 2019 the second generation X167 has been on the market, which became the foundation of today’s large Mercedes for family use and long routes.

In 2026, Mercedes officially showed the new 2027 model-year GLS. This confirms the lineup is moving into a new phase of development, but it does not confirm the X168 index. For choosing parts, accessories, and compatibility, it’s safer right now to ориент on the current GLS X167 and separately track the specification of the new GLS 2027.

Engines and transmissions

Based on publicly available data, the best-confirmed versions right now are the gasoline models for the North American market. The base GLS 450 has a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six with a mild hybrid, the GLS 580 uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with a mild hybrid, and the AMG GLS 63 gets its own AMG version of the 4.0-liter V8. For the new GLS 2027, a 3.0-liter inline-six and a 4.0-liter V8 have also been announced, but with different figures.

For real-world use, the GLS 450 no longer looks “weak.” It’s enough for the highway, a full cabin, and towing. The GLS 580 and AMG are choices for those who want a reserve of тяга in almost any scenario—but you’ll pay not only at checkout, but at the pump as well.

Body, dimensions, and chassis

The current GLS 450 is a very large vehicle: 5207 mm long, 3134 mm wheelbase, 2029 mm wide without mirrors and 2156 mm with mirrors. That’s why it’s so spacious inside, but it’s also why it requires привыкание and extra room in the city.

Chassis philosophy is simple: maximum comfort. For the new GLS 2027, the AIRMATIC air suspension with intelligent damping has already been announced, and the GLS 580 will offer E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL. Off-road ability is there too, but without exaggeration: the exact base ground clearance for the standard GLS isn’t stated in public data, but it’s known that the off-road package adds about 30 mm, and the AMG GLS 63 has 250 mm of clearance and a 500 mm wading depth.

Interior, comfort, and safety

The GLS’s strength is not just an expensive interior, but usable space. It comes with 7 seats as standard or 6 if you prefer, a large second row, and a third row that is genuinely usable in this model. The trunk capacity of 493 to 2398 L makes it suitable both for vacations and for everyday family нагрузка.

On the road, people value the GLS for its quietness, softness, and “car-like” smoothness at high speed. In the new GLS 2027, the focus is even more on cabin electronics: MB.OS, a Superscreen dashboard with three displays, rear multimedia, and a large panoramic roof. A key safety nuance is this: in the public description of the new generation, multimedia and the electronic architecture are covered in more detail than the final complete list of all active-safety systems.

Everyday use

In day-to-day life, the GLS shines best on the highway, on family trips, and anywhere you need extra capacity. It takes on several roles at once: family transport, long-distance cruiser, towing vehicle. That’s where its strengths stand out—quietness, a calm ride, a third row without punishing passengers, and a big trunk.

But the compromises are obvious too. The GLS 450 already uses a lot of fuel for daily routes, and the GLS 580 is even more заметно heavier on the budget. It needs premium fuel, it’s heavy, and tires don’t wear cheaply. Also, owner feedback repeatedly mentions complaints about noise from the rear climate unit, occasional electronic glitches, and accelerated tire wear—so service history matters more here than a красивый list of options.

Strengths and weaknesses

The GLS suits those who clearly know why they need a big three-row Mercedes. If you want one vehicle for family, highways, long trips, and towing, it covers those needs very convincingly. But if the car will mostly live in the city center and the fuel bill is already annoying in advance, the case for a GLS drops sharply.

From an owner’s perspective, the main advantage is that the GLS can be very different vehicles without an obvious weak spot in key scenarios. The main drawback is that almost everything here is expensive: fuel, tires, maintenance, and any mistakes when selecting parts.

Tuning and accessories

For the GLS, the smartest tuning is practical. This is a vehicle often chosen for family use, travel, hauling things, and the daily process of getting kids or older passengers in and out. So the first priority shouldn’t be decorative body kits, but items that protect the interior and make life easier: a trunk liner, side steps, mud flaps, and sometimes roof solutions.

There’s another important point: don’t buy parts “for X168” if the seller can’t explain compatibility by generation. On the current GLS X167, differences in bumper shapes, mounts, and exterior pieces matter more than a nice label in a listing.

What to check out for this model

• Trunk liner — useful if the car regularly carries suitcases, a stroller, tools, or gear.
• Side steps — make it easier to get into a tall body and make roof access less awkward.
• Mercedes accessories catalog — a handy entry point if you want to compare GLS solutions with other models in the brand.

Conclusion

The conclusion is simple: the new Mercedes GLS exists, but it’s too early to call it the official X168. The confirmed fact is the arrival of the GLS 2027; the unconfirmed part is the factory index itself, which is not закреплен in public materials.

As a model, the GLS remains very strong where you need space, quietness, pulling power, and a truly usable third row. It’s not for those who want compact dimensions, moderate costs, and simple city life. This piece is based on real подбор experience, practical know-how, and real usage scenarios, so the main guideline today is: for purchasing, ownership, and accessories, think in terms of the current GLS X167 and specific versions—not the unconfirmed X168 name.