2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS Facelift: 7 Things You Need to Know

Mercedes-Benz has pulled the wraps off the 2026 GLS facelift, and the updated flagship SUV is headed for the GCC. Sharper looks, a plusher cabin, and tweaked powertrains keep the three-row luxury brute competitive against the BMW X7 and Range Rover. Here's everything you need to know before it lands in UAE showrooms.

What's New on the Outside?

The biggest changes are up front. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS gets a redesigned front fascia featuring Digital Lights with a dual-star logo and a wraparound daytime-running-light signature that gives it a wider, more assertive stance. The grille is new too — chrome highlights and an illuminated surround add after-dark presence (an illuminated logo is optional in some markets). A sculpted bumper rounds off the nose.

From the side, not much has changed. The profile carries over largely intact, though there are new 21-inch and 22-inch alloy wheel designs to freshen things up. The overall effect? More premium, more modern, but unmistakably a GLS.

Inside the 2026 GLS: More Luxury, Smarter Tech

Step inside and the upgrades continue. Mercedes has improved materials throughout the cabin — think richer leathers, softer-touch surfaces, and enhanced comfort features for all three rows. It's the kind of incremental polish that matters in a segment where buyers expect nothing less than perfection.

The MBUX infotainment system has been enhanced, promising faster responses and better integration with cloud-based services. Perhaps more importantly for GCC drivers, the 2026 GLS also gains a cloud-based suspension system that adapts to road conditions in real time — a welcome upgrade given the mix of smooth highways and rougher desert access roads across the Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

What About Performance and Fuel Economy?

Under the bonnet, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS gets updated engines across the range for improved performance and better fuel economy. Mercedes hasn't released full GCC-spec powertrain details yet, but the GLS 450 4MATIC — expected to be the volume seller in the region — continues with a turbocharged inline-six augmented by mild-hybrid tech.

Here's the thing: no major powertrain overhaul was on the cards. The focus is on refinement and efficiency, which makes sense given rising fuel prices across the GCC. Every kilometre per litre counts, even in the luxury segment.

Current dealer listings put the GLS 450 4MATIC at around AED 449,950 in the UAE, though facelift pricing has not been finalised. Expect a modest increase when the new model arrives.

How Much Will the 2026 GLS Cost in the UAE?

No official GCC pricing has been announced. In the US, the 2026 GLS-Class starts at $91,600 for the GLS 450 and climbs to $119,100 for higher AMG trims. Based on historical GCC pricing patterns and the current model's positioning, we expect the facelifted 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class to start in the mid-AED 450,000 range in the UAE, with the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS 63 AMG pushing well above AED 600,000.

But that's not all. The GLS also sits above the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class in the Mercedes SUV hierarchy, giving buyers a clear step-up path if the GLE feels too compact for family duties.

When Is the 2026 GLS Arriving in the GCC?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS facelift goes on sale in Europe and the US by mid-2026. For the Middle East — including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman — expect arrivals in the second half of 2026. No exact dealership dates have been confirmed yet.

GCC-spec models of the current-generation GLS are already available at local dealerships, so the transition should be seamless once the facelifted version starts rolling in.

Who Are the Rivals?

The full-size luxury SUV segment in the GCC is fiercely competitive. The 2026 GLS faces off against:

• BMW X7 — the Bavarian rival with a bold new look and strong six-cylinder options
• Range Rover — the British benchmark for luxury and off-road credibility
• Cadillac Escalade — recently launched in the GCC with massive road presence

And the best part? The GLS facelift doesn't need to reinvent the wheel. It just needs to stay current — and the styling, tech, and efficiency updates do exactly that.

What's Next?

The 2026 GLS facelift is part of Mercedes' broader push that includes 16+ new or updated models globally this year. Expect test drives to become available at UAE and Saudi dealerships around Q3 or Q4 2026. We'll bring you confirmed pricing and full GCC specs as soon as they're announced.

In the meantime, you can check 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class prices for the current model or explore the 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class if three-row seating isn't a priority. Either way, the facelifted GLS is shaping up to be the one to watch in the large luxury SUV space.