Compare the2024 Mercedes GLSVS 2024 Infiniti QX60

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The GLS offers an optional Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The QX60 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GLS. But it costs extra on the QX60.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLS has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The QX60 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

Both the GLS and QX60 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the GLS has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The QX60’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the GLS and the QX60 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 and rear cross-path warning.

The Mercedes GLS weighs 834 to 1827 pounds more than the Infiniti QX60. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

There are over 89 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GLS’ warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GLS second among large premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The QX60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Infiniti.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti With 33 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Infiniti.

Engine

The GLS 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 80 more horsepower (375 vs. 295) and 99 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 270) than the QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6. The GLS 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 215 more horsepower (510 vs. 295) and 268 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 270) than the QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6. The Maybach GLS 600’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 255 more horsepower (550 vs. 295) and 268 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 270) than the QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the GLS 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Infiniti QX60:

	GLS	QX60
Zero to 60 MPH	5.8 sec	7.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.3 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	87.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the GLS’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The QX60 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The GLS has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX60 (23.8 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The GLS has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the QX60. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the QX60:

	GLS	QX60
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13 inches

The GLS stops much shorter than the QX60:

	GLS	QX60
70 to 0 MPH	154 feet	171 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	143 feet	150 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLS has larger standard tires than the QX60 (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 255/50R20). The GLS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the QX60 (F:285/40R23 & R:325/35R23 vs. 255/50R20).

The GLS’ standard 275/45R21 front and 315/40R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the QX60 Pure’s standard 60 series tires. The GLS’ optional 285/40R23 front and 325/35R23 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the QX60 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLS has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the QX60 Pure. The GLS’ optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the QX60 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the GLS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the QX60, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The GLS offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Infiniti doesn’t offer an active suspension on the QX60.

The GLS has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The QX60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GLS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLS’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The QX60 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GLS’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The QX60 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLS’ wheelbase is 9.2 inches longer than on the QX60 (123.4 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The GLS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the QX60’s (55.1% to 44.9%). This gives the GLS more stable handling and braking.

The GLS 450 handles at .92 G’s, while the QX60 Autograph AWD pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLS 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the QX60 Sensory AWD (26.4 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a 3.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the QX60 (10.1 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 4.6 inches higher than on the QX60 (11.3 vs. 6.7 inches).

Cargo Capacity

The GLS’ cargo area provides more volume than the QX60.

	GLS	QX60
Behind Third Seat	17.4 cubic feet	14.5 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	42.7 cubic feet	41.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.7 cubic feet	75.4 cubic feet

The GLS has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The QX60 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the GLS’ second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The QX60 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

Towing

The GLS’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the QX60’s (7716 vs. 3500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GLS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the QX60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

If the windows are left open on the GLS the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the QX60 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The QX60 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

Consumer Reports rated the GLS’ headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the QX60’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLS has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The QX60 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The GLS has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Infiniti doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the QX60.

The GLS has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The QX60 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The GLS offers an optional center folding armrest for the third row rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and can provide a barrier between children. The QX60 doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

Both the GLS and the QX60 offer available massaging front seats. The GLS also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the QX60.

The GLS’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The QX60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GLS third among large premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The QX60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

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