Compare the2024 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 Mercedes GLS

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Atlas offers optional Maneuver Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The GLS doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The Atlas’ standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLS.

Both the Atlas 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Atlas its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 135 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GLS has not been tested, yet.

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

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GLS.

There are over 66 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Atlas’ warranty.

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the GLS’ engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 Atlas’ reliability 16 points higher than the GLS.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 1 place higher in reliability than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas gets better mileage than the GLS:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GLS requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas stops shorter than the GLS:

The Atlas SEL 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the GLS 580 pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Volkswagen Atlas may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 to 1400 pounds less than the Mercedes GLS.

The Atlas is 4.2 inches shorter than the GLS 450, making the Atlas easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Atlas has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 2 inches more rear shoulder room and 4.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the GLS.

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the GLS.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Atlas easier. The Atlas’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the GLS’ liftover is 31.8 inches.

The Atlas’ cargo area is larger than the GLS’ in every dimension:

The Atlas has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the GLS.

The Atlas 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 Atlas owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Atlas with a number “5” insurance rate while the GLS is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Atlas is less expensive to operate than the GLS because typical repairs cost less on the Atlas than the GLS, including $55 less for a water pump, $85 less for front brake pads, $55 less for fuel injection, $100 less for a fuel pump, $4 less for front struts and $79 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLS isn't recommended.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Mercedes GLS by almost four to one during 2022.