Compare the2024 Mercedes GLSVS 2024 Land Rover Range Rover

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLS 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 Land Rover Range Rover doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Mercedes GLS has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Range Rover doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Range Rover 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.

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 Range Rover doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

Both the GLS and the Range Rover have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are almost 2 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Land Rover dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GLS’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GLS second among large premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Range Rover was rated third.

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 Land Rover vehicles. With 2 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Land Rover.

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 Land Rover With 89 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Land Rover.

On the EPA test cycle the GLS gets better mileage than the Range Rover running its gasoline engine:

The GLS has 4.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Range Rover 550e PHEV’s standard fuel tank (23.8 vs. 18.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Range Rover.

The GLS stops much shorter than the Range Rover:

For better traction and acceleration, the GLS has larger standard rear tires than the Range Rover (315/40R21 vs. 275/50R21). The GLS’ optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the Range Rover (325/35R23 vs. 285/40R23).

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 Range Rover’s standard 50 series tires. The GLS’ optional 325/35R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Range Rover’s optional 40 series tires.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLS’ wheelbase is 5.4 inches longer than on the Range Rover SWB (123.4 inches vs. 118 inches).

The GLS 450 handles at .92 G’s, while the Range Rover SWB pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLS 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.8 seconds quicker than the Range Rover LWB SE (26.4 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 29.2 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

The GLS has .1 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom, 3.1 inches more third row headroom and 6.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Range Rover LWB.

The GLS’ cargo area provides more volume than the Range Rover LWB.

The GLS’ liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Range Rover’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The GLS’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Range Rover doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Range Rover doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its optional heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

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

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 Range Rover doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

Insurance will cost less for the GLS owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GLS will cost $1560 less than the Range Rover over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes GLS will be $18083 to $48440 less than for the Land Rover Range Rover.

The Mercedes GLS outsold the Land Rover Range Rover by 50% during 2023.