Compare the2025 Mercedes GLSVS 2025 GMC Acadia

The GLS’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Acadia doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 Acadia 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 Acadia 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 Acadia.

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 Acadia doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the GLS and the Acadia 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, 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Mercedes GLS weighs 849 to 1718 pounds more than the GMC Acadia. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Acadia’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The GLS’ corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Acadia’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

The GLS 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 47 more horsepower (375 vs. 328) and 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 326) than the Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The GLS 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 182 more horsepower (510 vs. 328) and 212 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 326) than the Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Maybach GLS 600’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 222 more horsepower (550 vs. 328) and 212 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 326) than the Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

The GLS has 4.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Acadia FWD’s standard fuel tank (23.8 vs. 19.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GLS has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Acadia AWD’s standard fuel tank (23.8 vs. 21.7 gallons).

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 Acadia. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 Acadia.

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

	GLS	Acadia
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	12.4 inches

The GLS’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Acadia are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the GLS has larger standard tires than the Acadia (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 255/55R20). The GLS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Acadia (F:285/40R23 & R:325/35R23 vs. 275/45R22).

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 Acadia AT4’s standard 65 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 Acadia Denali’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLS has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Acadia AT4. The GLS’ optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Acadia Denali.

The front and rear suspension of the GLS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Acadia, 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. GMC doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Acadia.

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 Acadia’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 Acadia 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 Acadia doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLS’ wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the Acadia (123.4 inches vs. 120.9 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Maybach GLS 600’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the Acadia AT4’s (35.7 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a 3.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Acadia Elevation (10.1 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 3.5 inches higher than on the Acadia AT4 (11.3 vs. 7.8 inches).

The GLS’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (7700 vs. 5000 pounds).

The engine in the GLS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Acadia. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Acadia Denali, the GLS has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLS’ front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Acadia’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The GLS’ standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access standard on the Acadia doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The GLS’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Acadia’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Acadia doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the GLS has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Acadia doesn’t offer cornering lights. The GLS also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

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 Acadia doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLS to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Acadia doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the GLS is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Acadia’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Mercedes GLS has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Acadia Denali.

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. GMC doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Acadia.

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

The GLS offers optional massaging front and second row seats, which keep the driver and middle row passengers. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Acadia.

The Mercedes GLS has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. GMC charges extra for Homelink® on the Acadia.

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 Acadia isn’t in the top three.