2019 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63

The 2019 Mercedes AMG GLS 63 SUV costs $126,150 (MSRP) excluding license registration and a destination fee of $995. The 2019 BMW X7 xDrive50i undercuts the Mercedes-Benz by $33,550, costing $92,600 and the top of the range Cadillac Escalade will still be nearly $30,000 cheaper at $97,295.

Behind the wheel of the GLS 63, it's easy to be tricked into thinking one is driving a vehicle that's much smaller than this AMG really is. One feels low in the cabin thanks to the AMG Sport suspension, which can be raised or lowered to suit terrain and handling needs, but that (relatively) low-slung feeling is also coupled with a nimble ride that has just about all body roll ironed out of it. It's a marvel really, crank the wheel at high speed and the nose just darts in the chosen direction but stays flat against the horizon. The rest of the body follows through as flat as the nose, with the AMG Performance 4Matic all-wheel drive system allowing all four wheels to max out their grip budgets. Even the brakes, which usually reveal a "sport" SUV's weight if it has a suspension made of magic, are no help here because the AMG High-Performance stopping system features a pedal with a smooth athletic feel as well as large rotors and eager calipers that can erase the engine's most savage efforts without making much of a fuss. And then, just when you think there's no way to make an SUV feel more worthy of a track day, you get to the steering. A single turn is all it takes to reveal its natural athleticism and a strong sense of engagement. Steering is direct and quicker than that of a normal SUV, but weight is balanced perfectly as to make it so inputs have to be deliberate but don't require exertion. The GLS 63's on-center area is also larger than a sports car's but smaller than a normal SUV's, translating to easy maneuvering at low speeds and stability well into the triple digits.

The AMG GLS 63 is not just a good car, it's utterly fantastic. Sure, it's going stale, at least visually and technologically, but what will never go out of style is how much of a joy it is to drive. There is, however, one big and obvious catch: the fact Mercedes is on the cusp of replacing it with a model that will likely be just as good to drive and will remedy the gripes we have with its aged styling and infuriating technology. That alone makes it hard to justify our tester's $137,005 price including destination. There is, however, a counterargument to be made. That would be the 2020 GLS' change in focus. Rather than getting the "S" in its name by default because it's the largest Mercedes SUV available, the new GLS is larger and more comfort-focused than the one it leaves behind. That could have serious implications for the third-generation GLS 63' handling, which is the 2nd-generation's best attribute. At least if Mercedes does ruin the 3rd-generation AMG's handling, there's always a chance to snag the 2019 AMG model on the used market.

Like the S-Class, the GLS already comes loaded with most of the premium features a range-topping luxury car should have. That being said, there are still a few options that should be added. As with all Mercedes, the GLS 63 gets better as its price goes up (which is not something that can be said about all cars). That's why the ideal GLS 63 has 22-inch wheels for a more stylish look, the optional $500 AMG performance steering wheel that's wrapped in Nappa leather and DINAMICA suede, the $4,550 Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, power Easy-Entry feature for the second-row seats for $400, heated and cooled cupholders for $180, a $1,950 rear-seat entertainment system, 2nd-row window shades to enhance viewing pleasure for $380, and a $280 cabin air purification system to round it all out. All said and done, our optimal GLS 63 comes out to $136,000 excluding destination.

The Cadillac Escalade is one of the most well-loved big SUVs on the market, and also offers true seven-seater capacity. The 2019 Escalade sticks to a traditional naturally aspirated V8 that produces a high flying 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. All that power is sent to all four corners via a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Escalade uses slightly less gas (14/21/18 mpg city/highway/combined) and provides more interior space than the GLS, but can't beat the German's build quality and choice of materials. Both cars offer similar levels of cargo space. The Cadillac costs $97,295, almost $30,000 cheaper than the Mercedes, but for good reason, the Mercedes is in a different class, both performance- and comfort-wise.

The 2019 BMW X7 is BMW's largest SUV offering and will seat seven passengers in premium comfort. Powering the BMW is a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that kicks out 456 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. The lighter and less powerful BMW gets 18 mpg on average, slightly better than the Mercedes. The BMW has a smaller interior and less cargo space than the AMG GLS. The BMW is on par with the GLS in terms of build quality and tech features and also drives superbly. The BMW X7 xDrive50i costs $92,600 and offers a lot of the same capabilities as the AMG GLS but at a much cheaper going rate. Newer and likely to stand the test of time better, we'd recommend the X7.