Compare the2024 Mercedes GLSVS 2023 Bentley Bentayga

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 Bentayga 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 Bentayga 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.

The GLS’ standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Bentayga.

The GLS’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Bentayga doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GLS and the Bentayga have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The GLS comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Bentayga’s 3-year basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

The GLS’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Bentayga’s (5 vs. 3 years).

There are almost 8 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Bentley 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 Bentayga isn’t in the top three in its category.

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

The GLS has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bentayga Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (23.8 vs. 19.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GLS has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bentayga’s standard fuel tank (23.8 vs. 22.5 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLS higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Bentley Bentayga (3). This means the GLS produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Bentayga every 15,000 miles.

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 Bentayga.

The GLS stops much shorter than the Bentayga:

For better traction and acceleration, the GLS has larger standard rear tires than the Bentayga (315/40R21 vs. 285/45R21). The GLS’ optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the Bentayga (325/35R23 vs. 285/45R21).

The GLS’ standard 315/40R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bentayga’s standard 45 series tires. The GLS’ optional 325/35R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Bentayga’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLS offers optional 23-inch wheels. The Bentayga’s largest wheels are only 22-inches.

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 Bentayga doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLS’ wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the Bentayga V8 (123.4 inches vs. 117.9 inches).

The GLS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the Bentayga’s (56% to 44%). This gives the GLS more stable handling and braking.

The GLS 450 handles at .92 G’s, while the Bentayga pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Bentayga (10.1 vs. 9.7 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the Bentayga (11.3 vs. 9.7 inches).

The GLS has .6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Bentayga.

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

The Maybach GLS 600’s cargo area provides more volume than the Bentayga EWB.

The GLS’ available rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Bentayga w/Four Seat Comfort Specification doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The GLS’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Bentayga’s (7716 vs. 7165 pounds).

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 Bentayga can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GLS’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Bentayga’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Bentayga doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

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. Bentley doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Bentayga.

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

The GLS has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Bentayga doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLS’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Bentayga’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

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 Bentayga isn’t in the top three.

The Mercedes GLS outsold the Bentley Bentayga by almost 13 to one during 2023.