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The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class marks a significant, mid-cycle upgrade for what was previously knew as the GL-Class. As part of a nomenclature change sweeping the entire brand, each of the German luxury maker’s sport-utility vehicles has received new badging and a full or partial makeover to bring the lineup into more obvious parallels with its sedans—so this large, three-row SUV becomes the GLS, to align it with the largest S-Class sedan. Hence the S in its new name.

The GLS-Class compares with 2017 Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX 570, and Infinity QX80.

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The SL-class is perfectly content to cruise around indulging its occupants in comfort, but put your right foot down, and it’ll scoot. In SL450 guise, a 362-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 powers the rear wheels through a nine-speed automatic. Step up to the SL550, and behold the 449-hp, 4.7-liter twin-turbo V-8; it, too, has the nine-speed auto. The SL handles surprisingly well; the power-folding top operates at speeds up to 25 mph, allowing you to drop the top, hit the road, and soak up some rays.

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The SL550 makes up 37 percent of the lineup and it too receives the new nine-speed transmission but no increase in horsepower. However, both the V6 and V8 SLs now offer a greater breadth of performance when owners opt for the adjustable Automatic Body Control (ABC) suspension system. On the outgoing model, this system had modes solely for Comfort and Sport, but the new Dynamic Select menu in the infotainment system has settings for Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual that alter steering heft, stability control characteristics, throttle response and transmission shifting.

Rivals include the 2016 BMW 6-Series, 2016 Jaguar F-Type, and the 2016 Porsche 911 to name a few. 

DESCRIPTION

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC was known as the SLK until just last year, nomenclature it wore for nearly two decades. With its name change, it gets a mild facelift and a reconfigured lineup with two variants: the Mercedes-Benz SLC300 and the Mercedes-AMG SLC43.

Just as the SLK, the SLC roadsters continue to prioritize easy drivability and comfort over all-out track times—although the SLC43 makes higher-performance driving a little more accessible without a lot of comfort sacrifice. Rivals include 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 2017 Porsche 718, and the 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster to name a few.