Compare the2024 Mercedes GLSVS 2023 BMW X5

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLS have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

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 BMW X5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GLS. But it costs extra on the X5.

Both the GLS and X5 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 X5’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the GLS and the X5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are over 9 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it 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 X5 was rated third in its category.

The GLS has more powerful engines than the X5:

As tested in Motor Trend the Maybach GLS 600 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid is faster than the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the GLS 450 gets better fuel mileage than the X5 M50i (19 city/24 hwy vs. 16 city/22 hwy).

Both the GLS and the X5 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All GLSs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch for start/stop is only offered on the X5 M50i.

The GLS has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the X5 (23.8 vs. 21.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 BMW X5 (3). This means the GLS produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X5 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 X5.

For better stopping power the GLS’ standard brake rotors are larger than those on the X5:

The GLS stops much shorter than the X5:

For better traction, the GLS has larger standard tires than the X5 (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 265/50R19). The GLS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X5 (F:285/40R23 & R:325/35R23 vs. F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21).

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 X5’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLS has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the X5. The GLS’ optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the X5.

The front and rear suspension of the GLS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the X5, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

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 X5 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 X5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLS’ wheelbase is 6.3 inches longer than on the X5 (123.4 inches vs. 117.1 inches).

The GLS 450 handles at .92 G’s, while the X5 xDrive pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLS 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the X5 xDrive40i (26.4 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the X5 (10.1 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 2.6 inches higher than on the X5 (11.3 vs. 8.7 inches).

The design of the Mercedes GLS amounts to more than styling. The GLS offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .32 to .37 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the X5 (.36 to .38) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLS get better fuel mileage.

The GLS’ cargo area provides more volume than the X5.

The GLS’ liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’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 towing capacity is much higher than the X5’s (7716 vs. 5952 pounds).

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the GLS uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 X5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

Consumer Reports rated the GLS’ headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the X5’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 X5 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. BMW doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the X5.

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 X5 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 X5 doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

Both the GLS and the X5 offer optional 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 X5.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLS has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console and one for the rear passengers. Wireless charging costs extra on the X5.

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 X5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLS is less expensive to operate than the X5 because typical repairs cost much less on the GLS than the X5, including $1344 less for a muffler, $4 less for front brake pads, $72 less for a fuel pump, $85 less for front struts, $1470 less for a timing belt/chain and $875 less for a power steering pump.

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 X5 isn’t in the top three in its category.