One thing he didn’t touch on was the ridiculous safety features of the GLS. Every time you turn it on, the seat belts pull back slightly so they know the size of the rider to know where to lock to minimize injury. If there’s an accident, the steering wheel pops out of the way, and the speakers play an audible tone which closes your ear drums which prevents ear injury from the sound of a collision. And the most impressive GLS fact….. the GLS started in 2006, 17 years ago, and the number of fatalities from accidents from drivers or passengers in a GLS is ZERO!!
We just purchased the new 2023 X7. It’s amazing. It takes a little bit of playing around with the new tech, but once you customize it to you - no problems. And the 600 miles to a tank - it’s a pretty nice feature too.
Can’t wait to receive our BMW. In early September we ordered the M60i version and received the production number the next day. We have yet to receive it, but hopefully it’ll be completed this month.
I actually had to choose between a 2023 GLS 450 and 2023 BMW 40i. It came down to personal preference. We went with the BMW. It had far less body roll; flat round the bends, whisper quiet cabin with better Tech. Plus we got it at MSRP and took 4 weeks order to delivery. The MB was going to take 6 months. Like I said personal preference. Both are awesome SUVs.
The body roll is easily controllable through sport (or individual) mode in GLS btw. I however enjoy the comfort mode with just a tiny body roll which I prefer actually!
Naah the gls makes the x7 look small. I loved how spacious it looked when he was driving it compared to the x7. The sides of gls look huge, elegant, and dominant and more expensive compared to the x7. I'll just choose the gls.
I just bought a 2018 GLS 550 - and that thing rides like a dream! The best SUV I've ever driven... Period. It's smooth, powerful and pure luxury! I've compared it to BMW X7 also but GLS felt more luxurious to me (both are great SUVs)
I traded my 2021 Mercedes GLE 350 for a 2023 BMW X7 and I have to say , while the Mercedes was a great all-around car it lacked some options that the BMW has. I’ve owned several Mercedes over the years and they are elegant stately and luxurious. Having said that, my new 2023X7 is hands-down a better driving vehicle with more features and up-to-date tech. It doesn’t feel like I’m driving a bigger vehicle than I had prior, but the ride is more supple and while the Mercedes interior materials feel a little more premium the X7 delivers on comfort and technology!
Got a question. We are thinking about buying GLS but when you owned these Mercedes did they cause any issues? Because I heard some stories about how it had lot of issues.
After owning an RR VOGUE , GLS, and now the 2023 X 7 , got to say nothing is built like a BMW . Went for a long drive it felt very luxurious and had technology that can't be matched . Got the captain seat layout the kids really enjoy being in this vehicle.
We love our X7, which we chose after driving both. Great very comfortable luxury vehicles. We liked the X7 better because of the exterior design, the smoother quieter ride, and the interior design, dash and shifter design that we found nicer than the GLS, and the B52 engine. After the facelift, we would have a hard time choosing the X7 over the GLS. Great review as always.
We have an X5 and will be adding the X7 after the first of year. We have also had the MB SUV before. One thing you didn't mention is the cost of the maintenance. BMW includes the maintenance for 3 years and the MB doesn't. An oil change in the MB can set you back over $300. Ask me how I know. I just had to pay for my first oil change in the X5 yesterday since our maintenance warranty had expired. It was less than $100.
Great side by side comparison review. 2023 X7 has a better interior value but Benz has always been solid for me. Two month wait now for my 2023 GLS but it’ll be here soon. Keep it up!
One thing I forgot to mention in my previous comment regarding trading in my Mercedes for the new BMW X7 is the seats of the X7 are far above the Mercedes, and comfort and maneuverability. There perhaps the most comfortable seats of any car I’ve ever owned! That’s a big deciding factor. Mercedes tends to have flat seat bottom as well the X7 is more bolstered and plush
I have never been a fan of the Mercedes interior design with the big air vents and grab handles. The sportier BMW X7 exterior and the better (subjective) interior design makes it a winner for me. We chose the X7 and absolutely love it.
So I have had a GLS 450 for about 14 months and it's everything the review talks about. The only problem is that there have been many electrical issues and it's spent probably close to 2 full months (not all at once) over the past 14 in the shop. The third row seat motors had to be replaced and were not working at delivery, the head unit for the radio had to be replaced after bringing it in several times and last week the 48 volt battery, 12 volt battery, and rearview camera all had to be replaced. The car only has 17,000 miles and these are all significant issues. It is enough that I'm looking to potentially switch the cars out for the X7 hoping the reliability is better. Again, GLS, great car, wife loves it but reliability issues right from the factory. Obviously everything was covered under warranty but we also could not get a loaner most of the time and it is frustrating paying for a car you can't drive. Just keep it in mind
Which SUV would compare in size to the X7? An Explorer? I want something at least that wide. I’m in a full size Range Rover now which is great. I don’t like narrow SUVs so it’s a concern. Thanks!
You have to think in terms of purchase in the name of a company. The depreciation deduction reduces tax liability by a lot, moreover going with the buy back plan, you never truly own it, it’s like a lease of 3 years and then you sell the car back and get a new one and continue paying the monthly emi which are almost 40% less in the buy back plan as you only pay back around 50% of the cost of the car. Plus if you get a better price you can pay the car and sell it on your own for better value. The ownership cost is very less in this way moreover for certain professionals and businesses this is an investment as it helps with appearances in front of clients.
Having owned both cars for at least 8 months I would say the gls is better for families and stuff because of the larger leg space so children don’t fight and trunk space for strollers. Also the gls has more safety features so if you worried about you kids getting hurt in a car accident I would go for gls
You guys are knowledgeable, Since both cars are long, turning radius and rear steering and the angles are very much important. Please add this feature to your reviews. Thanks
These two seem to occupy this class alone. The Big 3 dwarf these in size, while something like a Q7 or MDX seems to be outclassed by these, even in their base forms. Tough choices here. On the one hand, the BMW seems to merge luxury and sport seamlessly, and once you get past the controversial front end(which doesn't seem like it will age well), the refresh seems to have done the trick. On the other, MB has had experience in this class since 2007 and it shows. The supple smoothness, imperceptible integration of the EQ-Boost system, the more stately/elegant styling, and more luxurious interior environment are tough to overcome. There are no losers here, as any owner will be pampered in either. But the MB does look as expensive as it is, while the BMW seems to be doing too many things at once.
Totally Agree, but there is a difference when you take them both off road. The MB has an edge, probably because of the many years of experience in this field competing with Range Rover.
Mercedes Benz looks more luxurious while the BMW has a more sporty look. Space is the main purpose for this segment and the GLS has a bigger space and riding comfort.
@@ChevBling prefer the x7 front end because the grill. I wish the regular GLS had the Maybach style grill. The regular grill looks cheap to me, but it's not really that big of a deal.
Both are great. It all comes to personal preference towards the brands. But the new Range Rover is a jaw dropping wow. Neither of these looks as elegant as the New Range Rover. Expensive though 😢 I personally drove BMW coupe for 10+ years. If it is a coupe has to be BMW. But for suv anything is fine. Maybe gls for a change of taste and experience. But if I can afford definitely will go for the New Range Rover
As a fan of both BMW and Mercedes, I’d have to say that the exterior of the BMW looks best but the interior of the GLS looks much much better. There’s just more luxury. I’d purchase the GLS due to the amount of space it has over the bmw.
You chose the X7 with the black out trims, but didn’t do the same with the GLS, albeit it was other of the amg trims. Also, the grading was a bit odd, you favored the X7 more than the GLS. I’d choose the X7 over the GLS for the exterior, and the interior of the GLS over the X7.
I love my 2023 BMW X7 but disappointed at the same time. After 2 months of driving it my brake module went out , my car is sitting at the shop for 1 1/2 months now and no parts available to fix it
