Which Mercedes-Benz SUV Fits You: GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, GLS or G-Class?

Size order, smallest to largest

The letters run in size order: GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, GLS. The G-Class sits outside that ladder. It is shorter than a GLE but the tallest of the group. Overall length as Mercedes-Benz USA lists it:

• GLA 250 4MATIC SUV (2026): 173.6 inches long, 63.5 inches tall
• GLB 250 4MATIC SUV (2026): 182.4 inches long, 66.7 inches tall
• GLC 300 4MATIC SUV (2027): 185.7 inches long, 64.6 inches tall
• G 550 SUV (2026): 190.0 inches long including the spare tire, 77.7 inches tall
• GLE 350 4MATIC SUV (2027): 193.8 inches long, 70.7 inches tall
• GLS 450 4MATIC SUV (2027): 205.4 inches long, 71.8 inches tall

Each SUV at a glance

Model years are the ones mbusa.com shows today. Cargo figures are as Mercedes-Benz USA publishes them.

• GLA (2026): five seats, 50.5 cu ft of listed cargo capacity. GLA 250 and GLA 250 4MATIC use a 2.0L turbo inline-4 with mild hybrid drive, 221 hp; the AMG GLA 35 SUV sits above them.
• GLB (2026): five seats, seven optional with an available 50/50-split third row. Cargo is listed at 12.4 to 62.0 cu ft. GLB 250 and GLB 250 4MATIC share the 221-hp 2.0L turbo with mild hybrid drive; the AMG GLB 35 SUV is the performance version.
• GLC (2027): five seats, 21.9 to 56.3 cu ft of cargo, 3,500 lbs towing on the GLC 300 4MATIC. Gas GLC 300 and GLC 300 4MATIC (255 hp), the GLC 350e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid (313 hp combined, 54 miles EPA-estimated electric range), the AMG GLC 53 4MATIC+ (443 hp) and the all-electric GLC 400 4MATIC (483 hp combined).
• GLE (2027): five seats, seven optional on the GLE 450 4MATIC. Cargo is 33.3 to 74.9 cu ft and towing is 7,700 lbs. GLE 350 4MATIC (255 hp), GLE 450 4MATIC (3.0L inline-6 turbo with mild hybrid drive, 375 hp), the plug-in AMG GLE 53 HYBRID (577 hp combined) and the AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ (603 hp).
• GLS (2027): three rows standard in every GLS, six seats with seven optional. Cargo is 17.4 to 84.9 cu ft and towing is 7,700 lbs. GLS 450 4MATIC (375 hp), GLS 580 4MATIC (530 hp) and AMG GLS 63 (603 hp).
• G-Class: five seats, built on a ladder frame in Graz, Austria. The 2026 G 550 has a 3.0L inline-6 turbo with hybrid assist (443 hp), 37.4 cu ft of cargo and 7,000 lbs towing. The 2027 G 580 Electric uses four electric motors (579 hp combined) with 249 miles of EPA-estimated range. The AMG G 63 has a biturbo V8 with hybrid assist (577 hp).

Do you need a third row?

This is the first question I ask, because it narrows the list fast. Only three of these SUVs offer seven seats, and only one makes three rows standard.

The GLB is the compact way to get an occasional third row. Mercedes-Benz USA lists 29.1 inches of third-row legroom, so I treat it as occasional seating. The GLE 450 4MATIC adds an optional third row to a mid-size SUV. The GLS is the one built around three rows, with 34.6 inches of third-row legroom listed for the GLS 450 4MATIC.

If five seats is enough, every line is on the table.

Gas, plug-in hybrid or electric

The core gas models, GLA 250, GLB 250, GLC 300, GLE 350, GLE 450 and GLS 450, are all listed with mild hybrid drive. The G 550 and AMG G 63 are listed with hybrid assist.

For plug-in hybrid driving, the GLC 350e 4MATIC has a published EPA-estimated electric range of 54 miles. The AMG GLE 53 HYBRID is also a plug-in, and Mercedes-Benz USA says it can deliver up to 43 miles of all-electric driving, with the official EPA figure still listed as to be announced.

For fully electric, the GLC 400 4MATIC and the G 580 are the electric versions of these nameplates. Mercedes-Benz USA also sells the EQB, EQE SUV and EQS SUV as separate electric models.

Who each one suits

GLA: one or two people who want an easy-to-park SUV with all-wheel drive available. GLB: a small family that wants more length than a GLA and the option of a third row for occasional use. GLC: the all-rounder, and the one line here that comes as gas, plug-in hybrid or fully electric.

GLE: more room and towing in a five-seater, or seven seats on the GLE 450 4MATIC. GLS: the family that uses all three rows every week. G-Class: the buyer who wants its shape, its ladder frame and its off-road hardware, including three sequentially lockable differentials on the G 550.

What is coming for the GLA and GLB

Mercedes-Benz USA lists an all-new 2027 GLB, with available seating for up to seven, due in dealerships in early 2027. Its future-vehicles page also shows an all-electric 2027 GLB, with hybrid variants set to launch in early 2027.

For the GLA, Mercedes-Benz USA shows an all-new 2028 GLA with a 48-volt hybrid system and a separate 2028 Electric GLA in two versions, the GLA 250+ Electric (268 hp) and the GLA 350 4MATIC Electric (349 hp). Until those arrive, the 2026 GLA and GLB are the models on sale.

Questions people ask

Which Mercedes-Benz SUVs have a third row?

The GLB offers an optional third row, the GLE 450 4MATIC offers seven seats as an option, and every GLS has three rows as standard.

Is there an electric Mercedes-Benz SUV in this lineup?

Yes. The 2027 GLC 400 4MATIC is the all-electric GLC, and the 2027 G 580 is the electric G-Class with 249 miles of EPA-estimated range. Mercedes-Benz USA also sells the EQB, EQE SUV and EQS SUV.

Which Mercedes-Benz SUV is a plug-in hybrid?

The 2027 GLC 350e 4MATIC, with 54 miles of EPA-estimated electric range, and the 2027 AMG GLE 53 HYBRID.

Which Mercedes-Benz SUV has the most cargo space?

Of these six, the GLS lists the most, at up to 84.9 cu ft. The GLE follows at up to 74.9 cu ft.

Models in this guide

• Mercedes-Benz GLA
• Mercedes-Benz GLB
• Mercedes-Benz GLC
• Mercedes-Benz GLE
• Mercedes-Benz GLS
• Mercedes-Benz G-Class