BMW X7 vs Mercedes-Benz GLS
Luxury midsize SUVs · head to head, 2019–2027
The BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS were both sold for 9 model years (2019–2027). Among the X7's own years, its best bet is 2022; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the GLS's own years, its best bet is 2017; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2024.
BMW X7
SUV · 2019–2027
- Best bet 2022
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
Mercedes-Benz GLS
SUV · 2017–2027
- Best bet 2017
- Newest good buy 2024
- Avoid none
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy X7 year says nothing about whether it beats a GLS. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | BMW X7 | Mercedes-Benz GLS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly brakes and stability control | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2027: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2027 BMW X7 | 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | Not rated | Not rated |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $87,500 to $115,000 base price by trim, 2 trims | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 375 hp 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 523 hp | — |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 19–22 mpg | — |
| Seats | 7 | — |
| Third row | Yes | — |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | — | — |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | — · — | — · — |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2027 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| X7 xDrive40i lowest price, $87,500 | X7 M60i highest price, $115,000 | GLS450 4MATIC first listed | GLS AMG GLS63 last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | — | — | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | Optional | Optional | Standard | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| 360-degree camera | Standard | Standard | No | No |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Remote start | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2027 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2027 page (X7, GLS).
Known fixes and extended coverage
BMW X7
25 manufacturer programs on file: 6 extended coverage, 19 repair programs.
- Extended coverage The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date. (B010325, 2019–2022 models)
- Extended coverage For this vehicle, the EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date. This coverage is subject to the… (B010324, 2019–2022 models)
- Extended coverage Shark fin roof antenna sealing settlement extended warranty (B010226, 2019–2020 models)
- Extended coverage The limited warranty for the Knee Air Bag wire harness repair cable procedure for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / deliver date. (B650222, 2019–2020 models)
Mercedes-Benz GLS
No warranty extensions or repair programs on file in our data.
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2019–2024. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Years to skip: neither model has a year we rate avoid.
- Newest year rated a good buy: X7 2025; GLS 2024.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.