2025 BMW XM vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

$160,500 · Crossover

$90,250 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between raw, unapologetic performance and sensible, luxurious space often boils down to budget versus bragging rights. The 2025 BMW XM, starting at a hefty $160,500, throws down 644 horsepower and offers a brief 31-mile electric range to soften the blow of its 12 MPG city rating. Conversely, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS starts significantly lower at $90,250 and delivers a more balanced 21 combined MPG, leveraging its smaller price gap to offer accessibility. While the XM packs a staggering 269 more horsepower than the GLS's 375 hp, its significantly lower fuel economy and nearly $70,250 higher MSRP make it a niche choice. The GLS, slightly larger at 205.0 inches long compared to the XM's 201.2 inches, emphasizes efficient, daily practicality, whereas the XM prioritizes shocking acceleration off the line.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

The Mercedes-Benz GLS wins for commuters due to its superior 21 combined MPG versus the BMW XM's 14 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

The GLS provides a more practical, lower-cost ownership experience for families despite having slightly less cargo volume (17.4 cu ft vs 18.6 cu ft).

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 BMW XM

The BMW XM is the clear choice for performance enthusiasts with its massive 644 hp output.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

The $70,250 lower MSRP and 7 MPG fuel economy advantage make the Mercedes-Benz GLS the undisputed value champion.

Choose the BMW XM if...

You prioritize extreme power, needing the full 644 horsepower available from the plug-in hybrid setup.
You can consistently utilize the 31 miles of electric range for short local trips.
Budget is secondary to owning the vehicle with the highest performance output, regardless of the $160,500 sticker price.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLS if...

You want to save over $70,000 upfront by choosing the $90,250 option over the BMW.
Fuel economy matters, as the GLS achieves 21 combined MPG versus the XM’s 14 combined MPG.
You prefer a slightly larger vehicle footprint, as the GLS measures 205.0 inches in length compared to the XM's 201.2 inches.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	BMW XM	Mercedes-Benz GLS
Length	201.2"	205.0"
Width	78.9"	79.9"
Height	69.1"	71.8"
Wheelbase	122.2"	123.4"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Drying	✓	✓
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Fixed Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Integrated Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Front Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Engine Immobilizer	—	✓

Engine

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Base Engine Displacement	4.4 L	3.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V8	inline 6
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	mild hybrid
Horsepower	644 hp @ 5400 rpm	375 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	590 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm	369 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
Number of Valves	32	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	12/17 MPG	19/24 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	14 MPG	21 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	218.4/309.4 mi.	452.2/571.2 mi.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	46/46 MPGe	—
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	46 MPGe	—
EPA Electric Driving Range	31 mi.	—
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	73	—
Charging Time (240V)	5.0 hr.	—
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.2 gal.	23.8 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	SAE J1772	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	✓
Side View Camera	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Four Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	Harman/Kardon	Burmester
Stereo Power	464W	590W
Speaker System	16	13
Surround Audio	Discrete	Discrete
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	12 months	6 months
Infotainment Display	—	12.3 in
Subwoofer Count	—	2
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass Extended

Frontseats

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Front Head Room	40.4 in.	39.4 in.
Front Leg Room	40.4 in.	40.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	60.3 in.	59.3 in.
Seat Material: Premium Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	✓	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	3
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	✓	✓
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Driver Seat Ventilation	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	✓	✓
Seat Massage Function	✓	—
Front Hip Room	—	60.8 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	10-way
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	10-way
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	—	3

Rearseats

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Rear Head Room	38.8 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.3 in.	41.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	58.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	✓	—
Rear Hip Room	—	60.0 in.
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Power Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	23 x 11.0 in	21 x 11.0 in.
Tire Type	Performance	All Season
Tire Size	315/30R23	315/40R21
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
EV Battery Warranty	8 yr./ 100000 mi.	—
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	—
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	6 yr./ 62000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 BMW XM and 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS.

How much more powerful is the 2025 BMW XM compared to the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS?

The BMW XM has a significant power advantage, delivering 644 hp compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLS's 375 hp. This results in a difference of 269 horsepower favoring the BMW.

What is the MSRP difference between these two luxury SUVs?

There is a substantial $70,250 price disparity; the BMW XM starts at $160,500 while the Mercedes-Benz GLS starts at $90,250.

Can the BMW XM offer daily electric-only commuting?

Yes, the 2025 BMW XM has an official electric range of 31 miles, which might cover short, daily commutes before needing to use premium unleaded gasoline.

Which vehicle is better for long highway road trips based on fuel consumption?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS is better equipped for long trips, offering 24 highway MPG compared to the BMW XM's 17 highway MPG rating, leading to fewer fuel stops.

Do these vehicles offer similar cargo space for hauling gear?

Cargo capacities are relatively close, with the BMW XM offering 18.6 cubic feet and the GLS offering 17.4 cubic feet, making both suitable for moderate hauling needs.