Compare the2024 BMW XMVS 2023 Mercedes AMG GLS

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 XM are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The AMG GLS doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The BMW XM 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 AMG GLS doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XM has a standard Active Park Distance Control 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 XM and the AMG GLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the XM for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG GLS.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 20 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The XM’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 41 more horsepower (644 vs. 603) than the AMG GLS’ 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The XM Label Red’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 135 more horsepower (738 vs. 603) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 627) than the AMG GLS’ 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW XM (base engine) is faster than the Mercedes AMG GLS:

On the EPA test cycle the XM running on electricity gets better mileage than the AMG GLS 63 (46 city/46 hwy MPGe vs. 14 city/19 hwy).

The XM can travel with zero emissions for 31 miles. The AMG GLS can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW XM higher (7 out of 10) than the Mercedes AMG GLS (5). This means the XM produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the AMG GLS every 15,000 miles.

The XM’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The AMG GLS doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG GLS:

The XM’s standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG GLS 63’s standard 50 series front and 45 series rear tires. The XM’s optional 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the AMG GLS’ optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 21-inch wheels are standard on the AMG GLS 63.

The XM has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The AMG GLS doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The XM is 5.2 inches shorter than the AMG GLS, making the XM easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the XM uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The AMG GLS doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XM has 1 inch more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom and 1 inch more front shoulder room than the AMG GLS.

The XM has a much larger cargo volume than the AMG GLS with its rear seat up (18.6 vs. 17.4 cubic feet).

A Trailer Stabilization Control is standard on the XM, using the Dynamic Stability 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 17% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

The XM 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 AMG GLS.