[CruiseControl]

[LittleJoe]

She says "the GLS is the winner in this class" but didn't mention it costs about $20,000 more when equipped the same. Just saying.

[CruiseControl]

And they didn't talk about appearance, the X7 just looks so much better.

[Wild Blue]

The more I look at, and sit in Mercedes, the more I think I'm a BMW guy. I just don't like the feel, and the style of the Merc like I do the BMW. Those 4 dash vents really bug me.

[MystroX5]

This review is by amateurs that admit they know nothing about this level of vehicles. Next, let’s let them choose which 40’ cabin cruiser is best.

[LittleJoe]

The new GLS is a very nice SUV and a lot of buyers will opt for it over the X7 or any other SUV in the segment. It comes down to personal taste and your requirements for a large SUV. If you value space above all else, the GLS does check more boxes than the X7. But IMO the X7 edges the GLS in a several areas:

• Exterior looks (subjective)
• Interior appearance (subjective)
• Handling
• Maintenance costs
• Support for wireless CarPlay and Android Auto

You likely have other things you would put on your list.

If someone opts for a GLS they will no doubt be happy with it but I wonder if they even bothered to test drive the X7.

[MystroX5]

Power and performance is also never mentioned as the M50i will wipe the floor with the GLS 580. How can that not be a major factor if you are going upscale enough to select a V8?? At this level of performance/luxury you are well beyond the demographic looking for a basic full size luxury SUV.

MB mild hybrid is rubbish with their power delivery. We had a long thread on this months ago where MB real world performance has stagnated or even taken a step backwards for their V8 platform. The X7 40i is almost identical performance with the GLS 580 at 5.3 seconds 0-60mph.

Point of reference the new GL 63 AMG is getting 5.43 seconds 0-60mph real world testing.
Testing at 6:00 in.

[TXSchnee]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Power and performance is also never mentioned as the M50i will wipe the floor with the GLS 580. How can that not be a major factor if you are going upscale enough to select a V8?? At this level of performance/luxury you are well beyond the demographic looking for a basic full size luxury SUV.

MB mild hybrid is rubbish with their power delivery. We had a long thread on this months ago where MB real world performance has stagnated or even taken a step backwards for their V8 platform. The X7 40i is almost identical performance with the GLS 580 at 5.3 seconds 0-60mph.

Point of reference the new GLS 63 AMG is getting 5.43 seconds 0-60mph real world testing.
Testing at 6:00 in.

A fairly large amount of luxury buyers just buy the highest trim as it is "the best". That is why you see people (often little old ladies) in M5s and S Class AMGs driving slow and never using the power. They would probably be happier with a Lexus, but they have always bought the most expensive MB or BMW so they stick with that. Never underestimate how little the average person cares about cars.

[hekki]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Power and performance is also never mentioned as the M50i will wipe the floor with the GLS 580. How can that not be a major factor if you are going upscale enough to select a V8?? At this level of performance/luxury you are well beyond the demographic looking for a basic full size luxury SUV.

MB mild hybrid is rubbish with their power delivery. We had a long thread on this months ago where MB real world performance has stagnated or even taken a step backwards for their V8 platform. The X7 40i is almost identical performance with the GLS 580 at 5.3 seconds 0-60mph.

Point of reference the new GLS 63 AMG is getting 5.43 seconds 0-60mph real world testing.
Testing at 6:00 in.

What are you talking about? This is not a new AMG GLS 63, this isn't even old GLS 63 AMG but GL 63 AMG. Your knowledge about cars is highly questionable. New AMG GLS 63 does 0-60 in 3,6 seconds according to Car and Driver.
My opinion is that AMG GLS 63 is to expensive when you compare it to X7 M50i, and the leather quality is just ridiculous.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by hekki

What are you talking about? This is not a new AMG GLS 63, this isn't even old GLS 63 AMG but GL 63 AMG. Your knowledge about cars is highly questionable. New AMG GLS 63 does 0-60 in 3,6 seconds according to Car and Driver.
My opinion is that AMG GLS 63 is to expensive when you compare it to X7 M50i, and the leather quality is just ridiculous.

It was a typo, jeez some of us had to work today away from the forum. Its been corrected. (Point was MB real world stats are not easily achievable)

[Wild Blue]

Originally Posted by TXSchnee

A fairly large amount of luxury buyers just buy the highest trim as it is "the best". That is why you see people (often little old ladies) in M5s and S Class AMGs driving slow and never using the power. They would probably be happier with a Lexus, but they have always bought the most expensive MB or BMW so they stick with that. Never underestimate how little the average person cares about cars.

This is true. The demographics that just want "to buy the best", without an appreciation (or often even the use) of the features that it comes with. So often, you can show people like that a feature on their purchase, 3 years after they bought it (if they even still own it at that point), and they'll exclaim "wow, I had no idea it could do that!"

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

This is true. The demographics that just want "to buy the best", without an appreciation (or often even the use) of the features that it comes with. So often, you can show people like that a feature on their purchase, 3 years after they bought it (if they even still own it at that point), and they'll exclaim "wow, I had no idea it could do that!"

My dealer has mentioned on a few occasions they needed to send a "genius" over to several new owners (older demographic) home to instruct how to start and engage the transmission. Never mind the iDrive. Its a struggle for the older non-tech generation as many dont want to be bothered to learn anything new with these "computer cars". After 2.5 years of ownership and when I think I really know the G05/G07, I reread the owners manual again for the 7th time and find some obscure new feature. My wife just rolls her eyes. I love this kind of tech treasure hunts.

[f30er]

I'm in the market for a new SUV and test drove a X7 M50i a few weeks ago. No MB AMG GLS63 at a local dealer yet which is also on my list before I ultimately decide. I need a 7 seater SUV as a daily driver and having driven a Yukon XL the past 5 years while the wife gets a X5M, I'm ready to get myself something better. MB fully equipped is ~30k more than the M50i. End of the day, I don't care about exterior looks, I want whatever drives better and is more comfortable on the inside.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

It was a typo, jeez some of us had to work today away from the forum. Its been corrected. (Point was MB real world stats are not easily achievable)

Pretty sure the deal with TFL is that they are high above sea level or something like that, they always mention the altitude in their 0-60 videos.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Pretty sure the deal with TFL is that they are high above sea level or something like that, they always mention the altitude in their 0-60 videos.

Android use to be about that same elevation. We did a forum comparison with what we could get with our Draggy times a year ago. We had pretty much identical X5 50i M-Sport and my lower 500ft elevation could squeeze about 0.25 seconds lower 0-60mph. 4.97 was my best at the time with that vehicle. I have yet to do my new X7 M50i as it’s still not broke in.

Point of interest, we both discovered NOT using launch control and loading the pedal properly was actually a tick faster. There is a lot of little tricks getting a AWD to get the fastest launch. I worked on it over a decade of trial and error with several of my older vehicles from RS4, C4S, etc...

[Germanauto]

Straight Pipes guys got it right. Both are really nice cars, but the BMW is a notch above as a total package. Sportier looks, visibly better interior quality, and better driving dynamics.

[Heimdall]

I rented both for 3 days each before making a decision.

The Major flaw that pushed me away from MB was the angle the second row was sitting on. It was a little tilted to the back not exactly 90 degrees and it isn't adjustable. Which made it an issue for kids carseats to fit in properly. Just for fairness sake. The same issue is present in GM and Cadillac suburban and Escalade

[Resjudicata]

Yeah I'm considering all these SUVs today at this very moment. So it's a good video.

[Resjudicata]

Originally Posted by f30er

I'm in the market for a new SUV and test drove a X7 M50i a few weeks ago. No MB AMG GLS63 at a local dealer yet which is also on my list before I ultimately decide. I need a 7 seater SUV as a daily driver and having driven a Yukon XL the past 5 years while the wife gets a X5M, I'm ready to get myself something better. MB fully equipped is ~30k more than the M50i. End of the day, I don't care about exterior looks, I want whatever drives better and is more comfortable on the inside.

I have the same problem. No MB dealership around here have one to test drive. However BMW has a bunch everywhere. Also the MB dealership is 2 hours away vs the BMW right down the street.

[Mile muncher]

It irks me slightly when these reviews for cars that have already been on the market for awhile tend to focus on features (which I can find online rather easily) rather than driving and passenger experience. I’m not even sure they discussed which rides better and why. Interestingly, while some reviews say the GLS has better ride quality, others state that the X7 is better in this respect. Here’s what some pro-X7 reviewers have said on this issue:

C&D: “On big impacts, the GLS will send an occasional quiver through its structure, and the giant wheels send more noise and vibes into the cabin over broken roads. The X7 is resolutely solid. The GLS also exhibited odd body undulations over rough sections of roads, almost like they were tripping up its active, hydraulic-and-air suspension, called E-Active Body Control, a $6500 option”

Autocar: “ Uneven stretches of country road highlight a tendency for the GLS body control to succumb to pronounced side-to-side jostling, while the car’s secondary ride seems happy to fuss and amplify some of the numerous ruts and edges that it deals with – most noticeably at town speeds. A degree of ride sophistication might well have been sacrificed in order to beef up the Merc’s off-road worthiness, but the similarly capable BMW X7 does notably better to isolate its occupants – and it’s not the only GLS rival you could claim that about. The fact the BMW comes as standard with 21in wheels, as opposed to the larger 22s on the Mercedes, could well be a contributing factor.

Over more uniform undulations, the GLS’s primary ride is at least defined by a likeable pillowy feel. The way its Airmatic suspension works to check vertical movement doesn’t make for as much outright high-speed body control as you might like, which is more than likely a product of its immense weight; but remembering that this is a luxury car, that is at least forgivable.”

In conclusion, the X7 seems to ride better (though possibly more wallowy in comfort mode) than the GLS, is quieter, has more comfortable seats, a faster and more fuel efficient engine (I-6), and better driving dynamics. The GLS has more space and is likely to be seen as the more rugged option.

[malba2366]

This was my exact verdict after driving both extensively. The X7 was better in every area except cargo room (which is a significant factor to many). The I6 in the BMW is also felt smoother and more responsive than the MB. I didn't compare the 8 cyl powertrains, but I would imagine the M50i is a pretty nice step above the GLS580. Neither of these vehicles can really be viewed as rugged.

[Crimsonboz]

Originally Posted by malba2366

This was my exact verdict after driving both extensively. The X7 was better in every area except cargo room (which is a significant factor to many). The I6 in the BMW is also felt smoother and more responsive than the MB. I didn't compare the 8 cyl powertrains, but I would imagine the M50i is a pretty nice step above the GLS580. Neither of these vehicles can really be viewed as rugged.

Yeah I was thinking rugged may not be the right choice of words lol.

The new GLS 63 seems to be nice. I would imagine either vehicle would be nice, splitting hairs really.