Compare the2024 Infiniti QX60VS 2024 Mercedes GLS

For enhanced safety, the front and middle 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.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the QX60 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The GLS doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Infiniti QX60 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLS doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The QX60 Autograph has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The GLS doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The QX60 has standard Rear Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The GLS doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the QX60 and the 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Infiniti QX60 achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The GLS has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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).

Infiniti pays for scheduled maintenance on the QX60 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Infiniti 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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 16 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the QX60 gets better mileage than the GLS:

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 on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The QX60 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 GLS doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The QX60 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The GLS doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the QX60’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the GLS’ (38.7 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Infiniti QX60 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 to 1550 pounds less than the Mercedes GLS.

The QX60 is 6.7 inches shorter than the GLS 450, making the QX60 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Infiniti QX60 amounts to more than styling. The QX60 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the GLS (.32 to .37) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the QX60 get better fuel mileage.

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

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.

The QX60 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 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 Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the QX60 will cost $5170 to $11510 less than the GLS over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Infiniti QX60 will be $39613 to $104077 less than for the Mercedes GLS.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Infiniti QX60, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLS isn't recommended.

The Infiniti QX60 outsold the Mercedes GLS by 22% during 2023.