Compare the2024 BMW XMVS 2023 Mercedes G-Class

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 G-Class doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The XM has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The G-Class doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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 G-Class doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The XM has a standard Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The G-Class only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the XM 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 G-Class uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the XM and the G-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The XM’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the G-Class’ (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 G-Class.

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 228 more horsepower (644 vs. 416) and 140 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 450) than the G 550’s standard 4.0 turbo V8. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 67 more horsepower (644 vs. 577) than the AMG G 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8. The XM Label Red’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 161 more horsepower (738 vs. 577) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 627) than the AMG G 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW XM (base engine) is faster than the AMG G 63:

On the EPA test cycle the XM running on electricity gets better mileage than the G-Class:

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

Regenerative brakes improve the XM’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The G-Class doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW XM higher (7 out of 10) than the Mercedes G-Class (3). This means the XM produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G-Class every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the G-Class:

The XM stops shorter than the G-Class:

For better traction and acceleration, the XM has larger rear tires than the G-Class (315/30R23 vs. 275/55R19). The XM’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the G-Class (315/30R23 vs. 295/40R22).

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 G 550’s standard 55 series 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 G-Class’ optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the G 550. The XM’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the G-Class.

For superior ride and handling, the BMW XM has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mercedes G-Class has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

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 G-Class doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The rear suspension of the XM uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the G-Class, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The XM offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Mercedes doesn’t offer an active suspension on the G-Class.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 8.4 inches longer than on the G-Class (122.2 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 3.2 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the G-Class.

The XM’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (48.9% to 51.1%) than the G-Class’ (53% to 47%). This gives the XM more stable handling and braking.

The XM handles at .92 G’s, while the AMG G 63 pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the XM’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (41 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

The XM is 8.3 inches shorter in height than the G-Class, making the XM much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the XM’s 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 G-Class doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

For excellent aerodynamics, the XM has standard flush composite headlights. The G-Class has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

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 G-Class doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XM has 1.7 inches more front legroom, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the G-Class.

The XM’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The G-Class’ swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the XM has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The G-Class doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

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 heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The G-Class doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the XM has standard extendable sun visors. The G-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 G-Class.