Sitting atop the Mercedes-Benz SUV hierarchy is the spacious and indisputably luxurious GLS-Class. It's all new for 2020 and it has big shoes to fill—we've named the outgoing GLS-Class to our 10Best Trucks and SUVs list for three straight years—but our first impressions of this new big Benz are very good.
Pros Tech-rich cabin, spacious in all three rows, refined powertrains.
Cons Anonymous styling, fussy infotainment system, heavily optioned models carry high price tags
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is a three-row crossover SUV that redefines luxurious family transport.
Pros Sublime demeanor Posh interior Strong turbocharged engines Impressive dynamics AMG, Maybach editions sure to come
Cons Hefty price Hefty curb weight Hefty fuel consumption Occasional cheap touch
New styling in line with other Mercedes SUVs.Powerful mild hybrid powertrains.Standard adjustable air suspension.All-new third GLS generation launched for 2020.
Pros MBUX infotainment is outstanding Tops in comfort and easily seats adults in all three rows Flexible cargo capacity Responsive powertrains feel like driving a smaller SUV
Cons Not as off-road-worthy as some rugged competitors Somewhat vague steering with large wheels and thin tires MBUX has a steep learning curve
The Armada gets a significant makeover for 2021, starting with a squarer front end featuring prominent headlights. The design revisions reach out back, too, with a new bumper and taillights that are connected by a continuous trim piece. There's also a newly available Midnight Edition with blacked-out trim. Inside, Nissan redesigned the center stack and added a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay.
PROS Serenely quiet and comfy, smooth, potent powertrain, pillowy ride.
CONS Dreadful fuel economy, some dated interior elements, wanders at highway speeds.
The 2021 Nissan Armada is a big, comfortable brute that can tow the boat and haul the family all at once.
PROS Spacious inside Lusty V-8 Strong for towing Good safety features Value at the base level
CONS Gas guzzler Third row for kids only Gets expensive Plodding moves
