Compare the2019 Infiniti QX60VS 2018 Mercedes GLS

For enhanced safety, the front, middle and rear seat shoulder belts of the Infiniti QX60 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes GLS doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The QX60 Luxe offers an optional Backup Collision Intervention that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The GLS doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To help make backing safer, the QX60’s cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The GLS doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the QX60 and the GLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all-wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the QX60 the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 140 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GLS has not been tested, yet.

The QX60 comes with a full 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The GLS’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the QX60 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLS. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the GLS ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The QX60’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the GLS’ (7 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the QX60’s reliability 24 points higher than the GLS.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 7 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the QX60 AWD gets better fuel mileage than the GLS 450 V6 (19 city/26 hwy vs. 17 city/22 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Infiniti QX60 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GLS requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The QX60 has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The GLS doesn’t offer a CVT.

The QX60 stops much shorter than the GLS:

The QX60 AWD handles at .76 G’s, while the GLS 450 pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The QX60 AWD goes through AutoWeek’s slalom 1.7 MPH faster than the GLS (39.1 vs. 37.4 MPH).

For better maneuverability, the QX60’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the GLS’ (38.7 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The Infiniti QX60 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 950 to 1200 pounds less than the Mercedes GLS.

The design of the Infiniti QX60 amounts to more than styling. The QX60 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is significantly lower than the GLS (.37 to .38) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the QX60 get better fuel mileage.

The QX60 has 1.9 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, 3.2 inches more rear legroom, 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room and 6.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the GLS.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the QX60’s middle and third row seats recline. The GLS’ third row seats don’t recline.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the QX60 Luxe’s available liftgate can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The GLS doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 8% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 6th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the QX60 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLS only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the QX60’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the GLS’ headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The QX60 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the GLS.

The QX60 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GLS doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the QX60 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the QX60 with a number “8” insurance rate while the GLS is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the QX60 is less expensive to operate than the GLS because typical repairs cost much less on the QX60 than the GLS, including $548 less for a water pump, $83 less for a muffler, $132 less for front brake pads, $204 less for a starter, $158 less for fuel injection, $77 less for a fuel pump and $134 less for front struts.

The Infiniti QX60 outsold the Mercedes GLS by 25% during 2017.