BMW
X7
Mercedes-Benz
GLS
BMW X7 vs Mercedes-Benz GLS: 2023 Comparison
The short answer
The BMW X7 offers fuel economy, while the Mercedes-Benz GLS excels at power instead. Choose the BMW X7 if you prioritize fuel economy in daily driving, or the Mercedes-Benz GLS if power matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
X7
Overall
Mixed sentiment with a clear generational divide. The pre-facelift models (approximately 2019-2022) are generally praised for their excellent driving dynamics for a large SUV, luxurious and spacious cabin, strong B58 inline-six engine reliability, and superb highway comfort, making them a favored family hauler and road trip vehicle. However, the 2023+ facelift (LCI) models attract significant criticism for a perceived step back in interior design and user experience, centered on the new curved display and touchscreen-dependent controls, described as distracting, overwhelming, and less user-friendly than previous systems.
Best version to buy
Pre-facelift models (approximately 2020-2022) with the xDrive40i (B58 inline-six) engine and a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) warranty. These are frequently cited for their more traditional, user-friendly iDrive 7 interface with physical climate controls, proven reliability of the B58/ZF8 powertrain, and strong value due to depreciation.
Known issues
- ⚠Drivetrain/Transfer Case Failure: Complete failure or severe shudder, requiring very expensive repair (quoted up to $9,000 USD). Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠Facelift Interior/Infotainment Criticism: Overwhelming curved display, loss of physical buttons and knobs (especially flimsy vent controls), touchscreen-dependent climate controls causing delays, distracting and ostentatious ambient lighti…
- ⚠Electronic Bugs & Glitches: Random "Chassis" errors requiring restart, infotainment freezes, ventilated seats activating heat instead of cooling, transmission randomly shifting to manual mode. Frequency: isolated.
GLS
Overall
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on ownership phase and powertrain. The vehicle is universally praised for its core attributes: exceptional ride comfort, often described as "like a magic carpet," spacious and comfortable third-row seating, a luxurious and well-appointed interior, and strong, smooth V8 performance in 550/580/63 models. However, this high praise is almost universally tempered by severe criticism of ownership costs and reliability concerns beyond the initial warranty period.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to declare a single "best" version. Feedback is split by priorities: the GLS 450 is noted for being the entry point with a sacrifice in power.
Known issues
- ⚠Exorbitant maintenance and repair costs: very frequent reports of routine dealer service visits costing $1,800-$2,200, with major repairs like air suspension or differential failure costing $5,000-$30,000. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Air suspension failures: described as a "common" point of failure leading to very expensive repairs ($2,250 minimum, often $5,000+). Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Premature tire and brake wear: rear tires last 15,000-20,000 miles; brake pads require frequent replacement; cited as an almost annual expense. Frequency: very frequent.
The verdict
The BMW X7 is the better choice for most buyers.
It has better fuel economy on its best-equipped version than the Mercedes-Benz GLS, based on the data above. If power matters more to you than running costs, the Mercedes-Benz GLS is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the BMW X7 or the Mercedes-Benz GLS?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the BMW X7 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the BMW X7 or the Mercedes-Benz GLS?
Both seat a similar number of passengers based on our data. The BMW X7 is classed as a SAV, the Mercedes-Benz GLS as a SUV, which affects cargo space and ride height for family use.
Which has better fuel economy, the BMW X7 or the Mercedes-Benz GLS?
The BMW X7 is more fuel-efficient on paper: 12.2-13.3 L/100km combined versus 13.3-13.5 L/100km for the Mercedes-Benz GLS, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the BMW X7 or the Mercedes-Benz GLS?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Mercedes-Benz GLS than the BMW X7. See the known issues comparison above.