Compare the2026 Mercedes GLSVS 2026 Hyundai Palisade

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

The GLS has a standard Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Palisade 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 Palisade.

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

Both the GLS and the Palisade 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, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

The Mercedes GLS weighs 651 to 1800 pounds more than the Hyundai Palisade. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GLS third among large premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Palisade isn’t in the top three in its category.

The GLS has more powerful engines than the Palisade:

	Horsepower	Torque
GLS 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	375 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
GLS 580 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	510 HP	538 lbs.-ft.
Maybach GLS 600 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	550 HP	538 lbs.-ft.
Palisade 3.5 DOHC V6	287 HP	260 lbs.-ft.
Palisade 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	329 HP	339 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the GLS 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Hyundai Palisade:

	GLS	Palisade V6	Palisade 4 cyl. hybrid gas
Zero to 60 MPH	5.5 sec	8.1 sec	6.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	14.4 sec	20.9 sec	16.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.2 sec	8.4 sec	7.1 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.4 sec	4 sec	3.8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.5 sec	5.8 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	16.1 sec	15 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99 MPH	89 MPH	95 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the GLS 450 gets better fuel mileage than the Palisade 3.5 DOHC V6 HTRAC (19 city/24 hwy vs. 18 city/24 hwy).

The GLS has 5.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Palisade Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (23.8 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GLS has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Palisade V6’s standard fuel tank (23.8 vs. 19 gallons).

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 Palisade.

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

	GLS	Palisade
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	12.8 inches

The GLS stops much shorter than the Palisade:

	GLS	Palisade
70 to 0 MPH	154 feet	181 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	107 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the GLS has larger standard tires than the Palisade (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 235/65R18). The GLS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Palisade (F:285/40R23 & R:325/35R23 vs. 265/45R21).

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 Palisade’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 Palisade Calligraphy’s 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 Palisade. The GLS’ optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the Palisade Calligraphy.

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

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 Palisade’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLS’ wheelbase is 6.5 inches longer than on the Palisade (123.4 inches vs. 116.9 inches).

The GLS 450 handles at .92 G’s, while the Palisade XRT PRO pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Maybach GLS 600 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the Palisade XRT PRO (26.5 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Maybach GLS 600’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Palisade XRT PRO’s (35.7 feet vs. 39 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a 2.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Palisade (10.1 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 2.9 inches higher than on the Palisade XRT PRO (11.3 vs. 8.4 inches).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the GLS. The Palisade doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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

While the Palisade Hybrid can only tow 4000, any GLS can tow a minimum of 7700 pounds.

The engine in the GLS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Palisade. 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 Palisade SEL Premium/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid, 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 fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Palisade’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully. The Palisade Calligraphy’s .

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

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. Proximity Key standard on the Palisade 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 Palisade’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 Palisade 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 Palisade 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 Palisade doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

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 Palisade SEL Premium/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid.

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

Both the GLS and the Palisade 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 Palisade.

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. Hyundai charges extra for Homelink® on the Palisade.

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. Only the Palisade SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid offers wireless charging. The GLS also offers Qi charging in the second row seat. The Palisade doesn’t offer wireless charging in its second row seat.