Compare the2023 Volvo XC90VS 2023 Mercedes AMG GLS

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC90 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 AMG GLS doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

Both the XC90 and AMG GLS have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC90 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The AMG GLS’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Volvo XC90 offers an optional built in child booster seat. It’s more crash worthy than an added child seat because of its direct attachment to the seat. Mercedes doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the AMG GLS. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; XC90 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the XC90 deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The XC90’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The AMG GLS’ side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XC90 has standard CTA Auto Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The AMG GLS doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the XC90 and the AMG GLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the XC90 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG GLS has not been tested, yet.

The XC90’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG GLS’ (12 vs. 5 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC90 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG GLS.

The AMG GLS’ redline is at 7000 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The XC90 has a 6000 RPM redline.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Volvo vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volvo 10 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the XC90 running on electricity gets better mileage than the AMG GLS:

On the EPA test cycle the XC90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the AMG GLS:

The XC90 can travel with zero emissions for 18 to 36 miles (dependent on model). The AMG GLS can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The XC90 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The AMG GLS doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The XC90’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG GLS’ optional 40 series front tires.

For greater off-road capability the XC90 w/Air Suspension has a greater minimum ground clearance than the AMG GLS (9.9 vs. 9.8 inches), allowing the XC90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Volvo XC90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1450 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG GLS.

The XC90 is 11.4 inches shorter than the AMG GLS, making the XC90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The XC90’s cargo area provides more volume than the AMG GLS.

The XC90’s cargo area is larger than the AMG GLS’ in almost every dimension:

A Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) is standard on the XC90, using the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the AMG GLS.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC90 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the AMG GLS only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC90 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG GLS doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Car Book by Jack Gillis recommends the Volvo XC90, based on economy, maintenance, safety and complaint levels.

Motor Trend selected the XC90 as their 2016 Sport Utility of the Year. The AMG GLS has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the XC90 as the 2016 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The AMG GLS has never been chosen.

The Volvo XC90 outsold the Mercedes GLS by 64% during 2022.