Chrome and Crêpes: Cruising Lincolnwood to Chicago in the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

Leave your weekend plans to the amateurs—Sunday in Chicago was made for the luxe-curious and city-lovers behind the wheel of something exceptional. Enter: the newly refreshed 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS, a gleaming command center of comfort, tech, and street presence that turns a simple drive from Lincolnwood into a citywide adventure, one espresso and architectural marvel at a time.

You start the morning in Lincolnwood, the kind of quiet suburb where mid-century charm meets affluence. The air is clean, the sidewalks whisper luxury remodels, and your SUV waits outside like a five-star hotel valet summoned it. You press start. The engine hums with barely a whisper—the 3.0-liter turbo inline-six with mild hybrid power giving just enough growl to remind you that under all this leather and LED mood lighting, there’s torque waiting to pounce.

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First stop: caffeine. You roll down to New Devon Avenue, skipping the chains in favor of a maple-latte fix at Oromo Café. Parking? No problem. The GLS has a 360-degree camera system that makes even tight spots feel like valet zones. While your neighbors juggle cardboard cups and Teslas, you sip and scroll through the Hyperscreen interface—a smooth glass span now updated with more physical buttons (because even Mercedes knows sometimes you just want to feel the volume dial).

From there, head south on McCormick Boulevard where the trees arch like they’re curating your drive. The GLS’s air suspension adjusts subtly, gliding over seams in the pavement like it’s reading the road’s mind. Windows down, you feel that early breeze from the lake, scent of morning dew and faint espresso in the cabin. The ambient lighting—choose from 64 colors—adjusts automatically with the sun. Who needs sunglasses when your dashboard shifts from amber to arctic blue like it knows your mood better than you?

Soon, the skyline peeks into view. Chicago doesn’t creep up; it leaps. The towers glint against the lake like the city is trying on its Sunday best, and the GLS is happy to match it button-for-button. You cut onto Lake Shore Drive, Mercedes’ signature LED lights carving through the city’s iconic corridor like a silver ribbon through blue water. You’re not in traffic; you’re in a private screening of your own luxury film.

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Detour time on your Mercedes GLS.

Pull off LSD at Belmont and glide into Boystown. Park it near The Chicago Diner for a quick vegan brunch (go for the country-fried steak—trust us, it’s not actual steak). Again, parking stress is zero. The GLS’s self-park feature handles the dance, and the automatic brake hold lets you focus on adjusting your sunglasses rather than inching forward at lights.

Brunch behind you, you head deeper into the city. Shopping? You’re spoiled for options. Cruise down Michigan Avenue and let the stares happen. The GLS turns heads—it always has, but the 2026 refresh with its star-mesh grille, re-sculpted taillights, and cleaner aero lines turns glances into double takes. Inside, you’re cool, comfortable, and probably streaming jazz through the Burmester surround sound like the star of a Bond film on his day off.

If you’re feeling cultural, turn west toward the West Loop. Art galleries like Kavi Gupta or ephemera boutiques line the streets. Pull up to Soho House, toss the keys to valet, and let the front grille’s LED star logo do the introduction. A few floors up, sip something gin-based and rooftop with the skyline stretched out behind you.

Late afternoon with the GLS SUV.

You’ve shopped, sipped, side-eyed art and architecture—and your SUV has kept pace without a single complaint or rattle. It’s not just a luxury SUV; it’s a moving lounge, a tech lab, a mood. You decide it’s time for one last stretch: the scenic loop down to Museum Campus, where Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium hug the lakeshore. The parking lots here see their fair share of tourists, but your GLS draws knowing nods. Kids point. You smile. If you’re driving this SUV, you’re on the right side of elegance.

Evening nears. You head back north, retracing your route through golden light. The GLS floats through traffic like it has diplomatic plates. Cabin silence reigns. You can hear your own breath, and the whisper of jazz still curling through the speakers. The skyline recedes. Lincolnwood returns.

Back in the driveway, you switch off the ignition but linger. You didn’t just drive the GLS—you inhabited it. It carried you through city and style, brunched with you, parked like a champ, navigated narrow alleys and boulevard views like a sentient butler who also happens to have 375 horses under the hood.

Chicago might be the main character, but today, you brought the best supporting cast. The 2026 GLS doesn’t need to shout. It hums. It purrs. It glides. It turns a one-hour drive into a daylong escape—and lets you write a better story than most travel guides will ever publish.

Features of the Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV at a glance:

• 3.0-liter turbo inline-six mild hybrid (~375 hp); optional 4.0L twin-turbo V8 (~510 hp)
• Updated 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission with 4MATIC® all-wheel drive
• Hyperscreen infotainment system with new physical controls and refreshed UX
• Redesigned LED headlamps, new star-pattern grille, aerodynamic bodywork
• Standard panoramic roof, 64-color ambient lighting, Burmester surround system
• Parking assist, 360-degree cameras, multi-mode air suspension New boost

Ready to take your own Chicago cruise in the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS?
Visit Loeber Motors in Lincolnwood to experience the luxury, comfort, and commanding presence of the new GLS for yourself. Schedule your test drive today and see where your next adventure begins.

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