Mercedes-Benz GLS or EQS SUV: which fits Manchester, NH families?
The GLS fits most Manchester families that want a third row, towing and gas range for long New England drives. The EQS SUV fits families that can charge at home and want a quiet electric ride.
Mercedes-Benz of Manchester sells both at 875 Gold Street, so a family can drive them back to back.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Manchester. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Who should buy the GLS and who should buy the EQS SUV in Manchester?
The GLS suits a family that tows, fills three rows and drives far in winter. The EQS SUV suits a family that charges at home and wants an electric ride that is quiet on the road.
Seats, towing and range settle most of the choice. The GLS seats seven, with six seats optional, and tows 7,700 pounds on every GLS trim. The EQS SUV seats five, with seven optional, and tows 3,500 pounds on the 400 and 550 trims. The EQS 400 4MATIC® is EPA-certified for 312 miles of electric range.
The federal clean vehicle credit no longer applies to any vehicle acquired after September 30, 2025 (Internal Revenue Service, 2025). No federal credit is applied to the prices given for these SUVs.
How many seats and how much cargo room do the GLS and EQS SUV give a family?
The GLS gives the most room. It carries 84.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo, and its second row has 41.9 inches of legroom and its third row has 34.6 inches. The EQS SUV carries 74 cubic feet, with 41.3 inches of second-row legroom, and it seats five with seven optional.
A family that hauls gear for a week will feel the extra 10.7 cubic feet of cargo room in the GLS.
How much can the GLS and EQS SUV tow for a New Hampshire boat or trailer?
The GLS tows 7,700 pounds. That rating holds on the GLS 450, GLS 580, AMG® GLS 63 and Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600.
The EQS SUV tows 3,500 pounds on the EQS 400 and EQS 550. A boat or trailer that stays under that figure fits either SUV. A heavier load goes to the GLS.
How do the GLS and EQS SUV handle Manchester winters and long drives?
Both SUVs carry all-wheel drive, and both use 4MATIC® systems for snow and ice. The winter question is range. A 2026 FIA test found that electric vehicles lost an average of 38% of their range in extreme cold, down to -32°C, compared with WLTP benchmarks (FIA, 2026).
AAA measured a 39.0% drop in calculated battery range at 20°F with the climate system running, against a 75°F baseline (AAA, 2026).
The GLS 450 4MATIC® is EPA-certified at 19 miles per gallon city, 24 highway and 21 combined. For a long run north on the interstate, that combined figure is the one a family plans around.
Charging on the way matters too. New Hampshire has 33 DC fast charging sites along I-93 (Live Roads USA, 2026). Within three miles of I-93 across three states, there are 138 DC fast charging sites with 547 fast ports (Live Roads USA, 2026).
What do the GLS and EQS SUV cost to buy and to run in New Hampshire?
The EQS 400 4MATIC® starts at $89,950, and the GLS 450 4MATIC® starts at $90,250. The GLS 580 starts at $116,150, and the EQS 550 starts at $112,450.
We sell new GLS and EQS SUV models. Our used inventory includes pre-owned cars, trucks and SUVs, not only Mercedes-Benz.
Running costs favor the EQS on paper. The EPA puts the annual fuel cost at $3,700 for the GLS 450 and $950 for the EQS 400. New Hampshire adds a yearly electric vehicle fee:
- Through 2026, a battery electric vehicle pays a $100 annual surcharge (New Hampshire General Court, 2026).
- From 2027, the fee depends on weight. The fee is $50 for a battery electric vehicle from 1,001 to 3,000 pounds GVWR, $100 for one from 3,001 to 8,000 pounds, and $150 for one over 8,000 pounds (New Hampshire General Court, 2026).
Home charging costs depend on the local rate. New Hampshire’s average residential rate is 27.64 cents per kWh (Energy Factbook, 2026). Say, hypothetically, a family adds 100 kWh in a week. At that rate, the charge costs $27.64.
If you buy certified pre-owned, the car must be six years old or newer, have under 75,000 miles, and pass a 165+ point inspection (Mercedes-Benz USA, 2026).
GLS and EQS SUV side by side: price, seats, range and towing
The GLS 450 4MATIC® and EQS 400 4MATIC® start within $300 of each other. The table shows the maker’s figures for both.
| Measure | GLS 450 4MATIC® | EQS 400 4MATIC® |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $90,250 | $89,950 |
| Seats | 7 (6 optional) | 5 (7 optional) |
| Max towing | 7,700 lbs | 3,500 lbs |
| Max cargo | 84.7 cu ft | 74 cu ft |
| EPA efficiency, combined | 21 mpg | 79 MPGe |
| Basic warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
Read across the rows and the split is clear. The GLS wins on seats and towing. The EQS wins on running cost and on the electric drive.
When is the GLS or the EQS SUV the wrong pick for your family?
The GLS is the wrong pick for a family that wants an all-electric ride and can charge at home. Its 7,700-pound towing rating is a gas-powered strength that the EQS cannot match.
The EQS SUV is the wrong pick for a family that tows more than 3,500 pounds. For that load, the GLS is the route.
A family without a home charger should also plan around public charging. New Hampshire has 302 public charging stations, 79 with DC fast ports (Electric Consumer, 2026). A family that relies on those stations should weigh the GLS first.
FAQ
Does the GLS come with all-wheel drive?
Yes. Every GLS listed here uses 4MATIC® all-wheel drive, from the GLS 450 through the AMG® GLS 63 and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600. The EPA lists all four as all-wheel drive. The GLS 450 4MATIC® starts at $90,250.
How long does it take to charge an EQS SUV at home?
The charge time depends on your home charger and how much charge you add. The EQS 400 4MATIC® has a 118 kWh battery and accepts up to 200 kW of charging. Bring your home charger’s rated output to your sales visit so we can match your setup to the car.
Is the EQS SUV still sold new in the United States?
Yes. We sell new EQS SUV models at 875 Gold Street. Mercedes halted U.S. assembly of the EQS SUV starting September 1, 2025, and then resumed production for model year 2026 (Car and Driver, 2026). Mercedes-Benz says all model year 2026 EQ models, the EQS SUV included, are built for the U.S. market and can be ordered at U.S. dealers. The EQS SUV is built in Alabama.
What warranty comes with the GLS and the EQS SUV?
Both carry Mercedes-Benz’s basic warranty of 4 years or 50,000 miles.
What engines does the GLS offer?
The GLS 450 4MATIC® makes 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque from a 3.0-liter six-cylinder. The GLS 580 makes 510 horsepower and 538 lb-ft. The AMG® GLS 63 makes 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft. The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 makes 550 horsepower and 568 lb-ft.
What does certified pre-owned add to a GLS or EQS SUV?
A certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz adds the program coverage the cost section lists. We sell certified pre-owned vehicles alongside new ones.
Why buy a GLS or EQS SUV from Mercedes-Benz of Manchester?
Mercedes-Benz of Manchester is the Mercedes-Benz dealership at 875 Gold Street in Manchester, New Hampshire. We sell both the GLS and the EQS SUV new, so you can compare them in one visit. Buyers rate us 4.6 stars across 2,251 Google reviews, and 84 in 100 of them are five-star (Google, 2026).
We are part of Group 1 Automotive. Customers describe the sales process in their own words.
In an August 2026 Google review, Adis wrote: “Our salesmen Hazim was absolutely wonderful to deal with and made the car buying process a breeze. He was very professional and very attentive to all our questions and concerns. I will definitely be buying a car from him again!”
In a June 2026 Google review, Karen N. wrote: “This was the easiest dealership I’ve worked with, they really made everything a breeze including fair trade in for my car, and setting me up with a lease and taking the new car home within a few hours. Jose and team are great.”
We offer a secure online finance application. New and pre-owned vehicles can be bought online through AcceleRide® and delivered. Our online trade offer takes your VIN, answers and photos, and we contact you with a firm offer. That offer carries no additional fees, and a final inspection completes the sale.
Mercedes-Benz of Manchester, 875 Gold Street, Manchester, NH 03103. Browse the new and used Mercedes-Benz inventory, value your trade and arrange financing online, then finish in Manchester or buy online through AcceleRide® with delivery.
Mercedes-Benz of Manchester answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Manchester showroom, or call 603-792-2460.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Mercedes-Benz of Manchester for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
