4 WORST And 8 BEST Things About The 2024 Mercedes GLS 450

Mercedes GLS or BMW X7
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0:00 - Intro
BAD:
0:35 - Price
The Benz is usually a grand or two more than the BMW, but this new facelifted GLS increases in price by $6,000 from last year’s car
Which means it now starts at about 87/88k which is THOUSANDS more than the X7, which starts at about 82/3k
1:30 - 3rd row
But as we know, sometimes these 3 rows don’t really have super expansive third rows and that’s true with both the GLS and X7
They’re very similar size back here and it’s fairly tight
The GLS has a nice feature where the 2nd row wont crunch a car seat, but getting back here isn’t the easiest
You do get cupholders, a little storage cubby and a charger back here
But BMW offers a dedicated sunroof to third row passengers in the X7
2:14 - Fuel economy
The 450 gets a massaged version of the 3.0T I6 with the 48V EQ system which improves HP but also combined fuel economy (up 1) to 21 mpg combined - which isn’t bad on the face of it
The only problem then is that the BMW X7 is doing 21 mpg in the CITY
2:44 - Slow
And that’s with the X7 making the same 375 hp as the new 450 engine
Mercedes was able to eek out 13 more HP from last year’s motor to match the 375 hp in the X7
So they’re level on HP now, but the BMW packs about 30 more lbft of torque
Which results in the X7 getting to 60 almost a full second quicker than the X7, at least in some real-world testing
GOOD:
3:35 - Looks
This is a subjective piece, but to me the GLS looks significantly better than the X7 and its new facelift is a big part of that
4:16 - Driving Experience
Ok so the BMW X7 will drive made a LITTLE more sophisticated than the GLS and it’ll jump to 60 quicker
But i’m not buying a 3 row luxury SUV thinking about 0-60 times or sport mode
I want it to be easy to drive and comfortable
And that’s what this GLS is
5:30 - Interior design
They manage to make it feel fitted without being cramped
In the X7 I feel cramped for being in such a big SUV
Here the design is clean and expensive looking
While still injecting some ruggedness with things like the center grab handles
The leatherwork is nice
The alloys are good
And you’ve got new colors and trims for this year to further personalize your GLS
6:10 - Trunk space
And then the trunk, which is always a roll of the dice in these 3 row SUVs
But here on the GLS it’s pretty good!
With the third row up the GLS offers several cubic feet more space than the X7 and you can feel that
You have to put all the seat backs down for the BMW to come back at the GLS
6:44 - 2nd row
You get heated seats here as standard
you get power adjustments for your captains chairs
You can get heated armrests, super cool
3 different vents
Chargers
And weirdly two different size cupholders
7:21 - New tech
Your interior design may stay very familiar but one touch into the head unit and it’s very obviously been heavily updated
New graphics, new menus, better 360 cameras, AR navigation, and now wireless ACP and AA which is a welcome first
8:09 - Pizazz/Lux touches
First is the heard armrests front and back you can get
Super nice now that it’s starting to cool off here in WI
Heated and cooled cupholers
This isn’t something i’ve ever seen from an X7 - maybe the Alpina has it, but this is a super nice touch
Soft close doors - lot’s of luxury cars have these now but it’s always nice
8:58 - Towing
The GLS packs a VERY healthy 7716 lb towing capacity for the 450 here
For reference that’s more than the 7500 lbs you get in the X7
But it’s also more than the 7700 lbs max towing you get from the new Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon
9:27 - Conclusion

[@dwnshft]

Special thanks to our Patrons for their support of the channel! GLS or X7?

[@volvoxc9086]

Gls with no problem

[@christopheragarano8208]

Gls all the way!

[@wh1baby]

GLS

[@Car_conversati0nz]

GLS for sure

[@CarGeek360]

@@Car_conversati0nzbro the GLS literally sucks (I’ve been in it), X7 is one of the best SUVs especially if you want a massive trunk

[@user-ku3pr4pt6i]

Very well done review. The comparison to the X7 was also very helpful

[@pakman54321]

I love how the GLS 2024 drives. Drives like a small car and so comfortable

[@reasonsformoving]

Good review.

[@dwnshft]

Thanks 🙏

[@jasper2207]

Just bought a CPO 2021 GLS 450. Upgraded from a 2014 GL 450 with twin turbo V-8. Gotta say I miss the V-8 but all other features if the 21 are pretty cool.

[@nieuwegeljo5645]

From the Netherlands: 1 sec faster is important for men with small willies!

[@valetagregg]

Love

[@batmore1]

Great review and great comparison with the X7

[@dwnshft]

Thanks 🙏

[@benny4015]

How is the second row ergonomic of the seat? I have the bench type and it is so uncomfortable; the shoulders and upper back get stiff and locked for distances move than half hour . and I'm in my mid 30's.

[@mobinakhtar]

We have the captain's chairs and they are (in my opinion) way better than the bench as you can adjust back, cushion, etc. independently. That said, our previous GLS had a bench, and if not reclined all the way, it felt like what you are describing. Go out and recline them all the way back, raise the headrest up all the way and you will notice they become reasonably comfortable.

[@clancep]

Love your reviews! I think MB has started significantly overpricing their vehicles. A 6k increase on a facelift for minor tweaks to the lights, steering wheel and MBUX is wild. Even their lease rates are almost 2% higher than BMW.

[@AB-jz9ns]

Given that cost of everythiing else in 2023 was increased by up to 30% I find it normal. This doesn't mean I like it, I just find it normal.

[@FTurney]

@clancep The 6k increase does include certain things that are standard now instead of optioned as in the past model.

[@EastWood2004]

This Mat is more handsome and charming than Matt in carwow. 😅

[@fatphoca5009]

I am looking for a GLS or X7. What I didn't like about the X7 was sitting in the driver's seat feels more cramped and you feel like you're just sitting in a 5 series. It doesn't feel elevated. Might as well buy a 5 series touring.

[@CarGeek360]

The X7 is one of the best, the GLS is one of the worst, I wouldn’t use the X7 3rd row tho from my experience, have you looked at the Escalade?

[@fatphoca5009]

@@CarGeek360 I wouldn't buy an American car if my life depends on it. Rubbish build quality and driving dynamics like a hippo. Ugly as well but thank you for the suggestion!

[@CarGeek360]

@@fatphoca5009 the Escalade is well-built, the GLS is the poorly-built one. I can respect your opinion about not liking how the Escalade looks though. What other SUVs would you consider?

[@anbaha5793]

I love Mercedes cars .

[@KyleReviewsCourses]

I think the 3rd row was designed for children. It's a lux Mom Car.

[@anbaha5793]

This car is very nice and it can be driven off road .

[@billblonco]

The X7 has heated armrests and climate controlled cup holders also as an option

[@scooter5940]

I have long thought the GLS superior to the X7, and the X5 superior to the GLE. No surprise I owned a GLS and now an X5!

[@JRB41]

I agree. GLS over X7, X5 is much much better than GLE.

[@AB-jz9ns]

I was hoping MB would not subscribe to the fad of humongous front grills but sadly they have!

[@neosworld4659]

The 3 years free maintenance was enough to convince me to go the X7 route. The Benz looks dated, luxurious, but dated…

[@DCMacGuy]

No amount of free maintenance can make up for the front end of the X7…

[@anbaha5793]

سبحان الله المال هاذا اذا ما كان موجود مشكله كبيره ما تقدر تعمل شي في الحياة بدون المال .

[@3204clivesinclair]

Column shifter, physical HVAC controls and door mounted seat controls are a deal breaker

[@yellowdrops5690]

BUYER BEWARE: Mercedes-Benz dealerships are notorious for HORRIBLE customer service once you buy the vehicle. Just learned the hard way with my 2024 GLS 450 purchase. Had it 2 months, got sick of the bad attitude, went down the road and traded it in for a 2024 Cadillac Escalade. Didn't like being treated like trash by Mercedes-Benz after spending $94,700 cash. Never again Mercedes!

[@alvialam4200]

Chatting wtmd fuck ur Escalade

[@CarGeek360]

At least the Escalade has great build quality, you made a right choice

[@stormtrooper8420]

Don't like the new grill

[@anbaha5793]

ربي رزقكم المال و القوة و تحشيد الانس و الجن .عيشوا حياتكم بفلوسكم و ملككم و افرحوا و استمتعوا بدل ما تأذون و تعذبون الناس المساكين و تتعدون على حياتهم .و تحاربونهم . ليش اتقوا الله انا ما اريد منكم اي تعويض عن الي صار لي و مسامح من قلبي روحوا لكم و خلوني في حالي و عسى ربي يعوضني من عنده .

[@RellupNorth]

GLS interior is outdated and cheap feeling. That leather feels like 90s imitation leather. Door pockets are scratchy plastic. The vehicle is worth close to what they charge

[@brianbrianbrianbrianbrianbrian]

I love mercs. I'm sorry but even with the new facelift it still looks dated.

[@dwnshft]

in fairness it looks much better with the AMG line and night package

[@jackz4149]

the pre refresh model looks way better, I’m keeping it for another year

[@jqueryrocks]

I thought it was 2004 GLS

[@nkadimashiane]

You're right. it's a total degrade. Who signed this off

[@LOLAtheDESTROYER]

No one is looking at gas mileage buying these. 😂

[@CarGeek360]

The GLS is one of the worst and most overrated in the business, horrible built and equally unreliable, I would MUCH rather have literally any other 3-row (other than the 2nd gen XC90 and 2nd gen QX60)

[@akcoop]

the X7 is 💩

[@Endorion_YTC]

If anyone is going to get a German vehicle, must be speced to the best with options. Shame to see people flexing their vehicles when it's not even cool and it really shows.

[@emilblancpain5648]

Is this a Mercedes Land Cruiser? 🤣🤣🤣 Mercedes is far from BMW!