Compare the2023 Mercedes GLSVS 2023 Ford Expedition Max

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Drivetrain
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLS have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Ford Expedition Max doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The GLS’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes GLS has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer knee airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GLS. But it costs extra on the Expedition Max.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the GLS uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Expedition Max uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the GLS and the Expedition Max have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

Warranty

The GLS comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Expedition Max’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mercedes 2 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The GLS has more powerful engines than the Expedition Max:

	Horsepower	Torque
GLS 580 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	483 HP	516 lbs.-ft.
Maybach GLS 600 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	550 HP	538 lbs.-ft.
Expedition Max 3.5 turbo V6	380 HP	470 lbs.-ft.
Expedition Max Limited/KR/Platinum 3.5 turbo V6	400 HP	480 lbs.-ft.
Expedition Max Stealth 3.5 turbo V6	440 HP	510 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Consumer Reports the GLS 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Ford Expedition Max (base engine):

	GLS	Expedition Max
Zero to 30 MPH	2.4 sec	2.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	7.3 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.6 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	92 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the GLS 580 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid is faster than the Expedition Max Limited/KR/Platinum:

	GLS	Expedition Max
Zero to 30 MPH	1.8 sec	2.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	4.7 sec	6.9 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	7.5 sec	11.8 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	2.3 sec	3.6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.2 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	105.9 MPH	88.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLS gets better mileage than the Expedition Max:

			MPG
GLS
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	18 city/23 hwy
Expedition Max
	RWD	3.5 turbo V6	16 city/23 hwy
	AWD	3.5 turbo V6	16 city/21 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the GLS’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Drivetrain

The GLS has 4ETS, a true four-wheel-drive system, which uses a four wheel traction control system to redirect engine power to the axle and wheel that still has traction to keep the GLS moving if even only one wheel still has traction. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a true four-wheel drive system; it could get stuck while one or more wheels still have traction.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Expedition Max:

	GLS	Expedition Max
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13.2 inches

The GLS stops much shorter than the Expedition Max:

	GLS	Expedition Max
70 to 0 MPH	154 feet	192 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	143 feet	157 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The GLS 450’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Expedition Max’s standard 65 series tires. The GLS’ optional 285/40R23 front and 325/35R23 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Expedition Max’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLS 450 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Expedition Max. The GLS’ optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Expedition Max.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the GLS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Expedition Max, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The GLS offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Ford doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Expedition Max.

The GLS 450 handles at .92 G’s, while the Expedition Max Platinum 4x4 pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLS 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Expedition Max Platinum 4x4 (26.4 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GLS’ turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the Expedition Max’s (39.4 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Expedition Max (10.1 vs. 9.7 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the Expedition Max (11.3 vs. 9.7 inches).

Chassis

The GLS 450 is 1 foot, 5 inches shorter than the Expedition Max, making the GLS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the GLS’ center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Expedition Max uses body-on-frame design instead.

Passenger Space

The GLS has .2 inches more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more third row headroom than the Expedition Max.

Cargo Capacity

The GLS has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Towing

The GLS’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Expedition Max’s (7700 vs. 6000 pounds).

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Expedition Max, the GLS has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLS’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Expedition Max.

The GLS offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GLS’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Expedition Max’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the GLS the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Expedition Max can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GLS has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The GLS’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Expedition Max’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the GLS has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer cornering lights. The GLS also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLS has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLS to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the GLS is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Expedition Max’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The GLS has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Ford doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Expedition Max.

The GLS has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The GLS offers an optional center folding armrest for the third row rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and can provide a barrier between children. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

Both the GLS and the Expedition Max offer available massaging front seats. The GLS also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the Expedition Max.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLS has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console and one for the rear passengers. Wireless charging costs extra on the Expedition Max.

The GLS’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Expedition Max (except XLT)’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.