Mercedes-Benz GLS vs. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mercedes-Benz GLS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
When we compare the Mercedes-Benz GLS's and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz GLS has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value and interior volume. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mercedes-Benz GLS's and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz GLS is a better car than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Pricing: A used 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS ranges from $79,881 to $144,894 while a used 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is priced between $113,341 to $198,440. For a new model, the Mercedes-Benz GLS's price is between $91,763 and $166,193, with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class priced between $128,643 and $232,903.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mercedes-Benz GLS loses 56.1 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class loses 59.5 percent of its value. This means the Mercedes-Benz GLS retains 3.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mercedes-Benz GLS’s base engine makes 375 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class base engine makes 442 horsepower. The GLS is rated to deliver an average of 21 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 571 miles. The S-Class is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 620 miles. This gives the Mercedes-Benz S-Class the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Mercedes-Benz GLS. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mercedes-Benz GLS, a crossover/fullsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more rear head room and cargo space. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a large car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
91763 - 166193
Starting MSRP:
89200
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
96113
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
45100 - 165500
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
128643 - 232903
Starting MSRP:
117750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large Cars)
100643
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
72000 - 128600
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
96497
Price Range:
79881 - 144894
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
114530
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
48050 - 212747
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
139535
Price Range:
113341 - 198440
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Large Cars)
108498
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
76075 - 139960
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
50178
Depreciation %:
0.56253707
Resale Value $:
39022
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
0.53387957
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
0.40142291 - 0.56934255
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Large Cars)
0.55588193
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
0.47768574 - 0.62908089
Mercedes-Benz GLS Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.2 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz GLS
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
11.5
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
8.2 - 22.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.6
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large Cars)
13.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
9.1 - 16.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.018
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.7220146812876638
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
1.5 - 27.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.6796903965756322
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
1.6 - 11.3
Mercedes-Benz GLS Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
2 out of / 68Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 17Ranking
5 out of / 68Ranking
5 out of / 17Ranking
5 out of / 17Ranking
6 out of / 68Ranking
6 out of / 68Ranking
6 out of / 68Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 17Ranking
8 out of / 16Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 29Ranking
12 out of / 17Ranking
15 out of / 29Ranking
16 out of / 29Ranking
18 out of / 26Ranking
20 out of / 68Ranking
43 out of / 68Ranking
57 out of / 64Mercedes-Benz S-Class Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
4 out of / 17Ranking
5 out of / 11Ranking
6 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 11Ranking
10 out of / 17Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz GLS Trim Levels
AMG GLS 63, GLS 450, GLS 580, Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Trim Levels
Mercedes-Maybach S 580 4MATIC, Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4MATIC, S 500 4MATIC, S 580 4MATIC
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
375 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
369 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.068 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
442 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
413 foot-lbs @ 2200 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.093 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 24 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
452 / 571 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 31 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
420 / 620 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Captain's seat:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Backup camera:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
41.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.5 inches
Cargo Space:
17.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
84.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
161 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
42.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
43.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
59 inches
Cargo Space:
12.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
107.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
5545 lbs
Width:
84.9 inches
Height:
71.8 inches
Length:
205 inches
Wheelbase:
123.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4740 lbs
Width:
83 inches
Height:
59.2 inches
Length:
208.2 inches
Wheelbase:
126.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
21.0 x 10.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/45R21
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/45R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Black / Obsidian Black Metallic
Blue
MANUFAKTUR Signature Cote d'Azur Light Blue Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Signature Mystic Blue Metallic / Twilight Blue Metallic
Gray
MANUFAKTUR Alpine Grey / MANUFAKTUR Signature Silicon Grey / Selenite Grey Metallic
Green
Emerald Green Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Signature Ireland Mid Green Metallic
Red
MANUFAKTUR Cardinal Red Metallic
Silver
Cirrus Silver Metallic
White
MANUFAKTUR Moonlight White Metallic / Polar White
Brown
Not available
Gold
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black / MANUFAKTUR Signature Night Black Magno / Obsidian Black Metallic
Blue
MANUFAKTUR Signature China Blue / MANUFAKTUR Signature Mystic Blue Metallic / Nautical Blue Metallic
Gray
Graphite Grey Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Graphite Grey Magno / MANUFAKTUR Selenite Grey Magno / MANUFAKTUR Signature Graphite Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Signature Silicon Grey / Selenite Grey Metallic
Green
Emerald Green Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Signature Olive Metallic
Red
Rubellite Red Metallic
Silver
Cirrus Silver Metallic / Verde Silver Metallic
White
MANUFAKTUR Moonlight White Magno / MANUFAKTUR Moonlight White Metallic
Brown
Sonoran Brown Metallic
Gold
MANUFAKTUR Kalahari Gold Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Signature Kalahari Gold Magno
Interior Colors
Beige
Catalana Beige/Black / Macchiato Beige/Black
Black
Black
Blue
Yacht Blue
Brown
Bahia Brown/Black / Truffle Brown
Red
Carmine Red
Silver
Not available
White
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Macchiato Beige/Magma Grey
Black
Black
Blue
Yacht Blue/Black
Brown
Nut Brown/Black / Sienna Brown/Black / Truffle Brown/Black
Red
Carmine Red/Black
Silver
Silver Grey/Black
White
Deep White/Black
Yellow
Pastel Yellow/Black
