The three-row luxurious SUV section is extra well-liked and aggressive than ever. That signifies that a brand new BMW X7 has to really feel each bit value its demanding price ticket – which is available in at over $80,000 earlier than you contact a single possibility field. A historic rival – Mercedes-Benz – comes effectively ready with a three-rower of their very own: the GLS. Which is the one you actually need?
Design and Inside Dimensions
From the surface, it’s clear that the brand new BMW X7 takes a extra aggressive and attention-grabbing method than the GLS. A split-headlight look that debuted for the 2023 mannequin 12 months couldn’t be extra totally different from the Mercedes’ very basic look. Technically, the GLS received a refresh for the 2024 mannequin 12 months, bringing new physique work within the entrance and rear, a brand new grille, and new lighting signatures. The GLS is total the bigger of the 2. It’s an inch wider and round an inch and a half longer, although stands an inch shorter.
These bigger dimensions translate to the inside. The X7 presents extra entrance head room than the Benz, however the Mercedes has it beat in all places else. It boasts over two inches extra third-row head room and shoulder room. Within the second row, the GLS presents a stable 4 inches extra leg room. Maybe due to these spectacular passenger capability figures, it trails the X7 by way of cargo space. A brand new BMW X7 can supply 90.4 cubic ft of cargo area, whereas the GLS has 84.7 cubic ft of cargo area.
Expertise and Towing
Screens dominate the inside of each the brand new BMW X7 and new GLS. The GLS comes packaged with twin 12.3-inch screens housing instrumentation and infotainment. Hop into a brand new BMW X7 and also you’ll see the same 12.3-inch gauge cluster and barely bigger 14.9-inch middle show. We sadly haven’t had any seat time with a GLS to debate how usable the newest model of MBUX is, however iDrive 8.5 within the X7 is as intuitive and snappy as ever. Each supply Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although, so that you won’t even spend a lot time fiddling with their native software program.
Towing with each is straightforward as a result of their respective OEMs supply a factory-installed trailer hitch. BMW charges the X7 at 7,500 kilos of max towing capability, and Mercedes claims the GLS can tow as much as 7,700 kilos. Each include trailering-specific options (Mercedes names their’s Trailer Stability Help, however BMWs do it too) that guarantee every SUV can deal with the added rigors of towing with out unduly stressing the engine. Automotive and Driver even towed with their long run X7 again in 2021 – 5,800 kilos over a 2100-mile tour – with no drama.
Suspension and Dynamics
Each the GLS and X7 make the most of a entrance double-wishbone and multi-link rear paired with two-axle air suspension. Each come included with adaptive damping, too, providing you a wide range of totally different suspension settings for various driving experiences. Some variant of Consolation and Sport Modes exist in each luxurious SUVs, and each assist you to elevate or decrease the SUV with the contact of a button.
In the case of dynamics – not less than within the base automobiles – the spec sheet continues to learn equally. The GLS’s turbocharged 3.0-liter six makes 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The brand new BMW X7 delivers an identical horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque from the B58 engine, additionally a 3.0-liter turbo-six. Each include all-wheel drive as commonplace, and weigh inside 100 kilos of each other. Curb weight for the GLS is 5,489 kilos, and the BMW X7 suggestions the dimensions at 5,417 kilos.
For the usual SUVs, Mercedes says the GLS 450 can race from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, whereas BMW says the X7 xDrive40i takes solely 5.6 seconds. These figures are a superb abstract of the consolation and dynamics comparability. A brand new BMW X7 will really feel barely sprightlier than the usual Benz, however in any other case, the 2 will carry out and really feel very related.
New BMW X7 and GLS Excessive Efficiency Choices
On the high of the lineup, MB presents the AMG GLS 63. This 603-horsepower monster accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, and makes use of a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine. You additionally get a group of AMG goodies, like an digital limited-slip diff (eLSD), sportier suspension tuning, greater brakes, and the like.
A brand new BMW X7 M60i boasts practically all the identical adjustments. However, it’s down on energy; it makes the identical zero-to-60 sprint in 4.5 seconds, and solely has 523 horsepower to work with. The ALPINA XB7, nevertheless, is maybe a extra direct comparability. Its ALPINA-tuned twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 – related, on the floor, to the unit powering the M60i – generates 631 horsepower. BMW says the ALPINA will attain 60 mph from a standstill in below 4 seconds.
Efficiency junkies will doubtless wish to persist with BMW. THE GLS 63 at the moment begins at $149,500, near $40,000 greater than the X7 M60i ($111,900). The ALPINA XB7 begins at $152,400 – slightly below $3,000 extra. We’d advocate both sticking with the X7 M60i and saving a ton of cash whereas making negligible efficiency trade-offs or going all-in on the XB7.
The New BMW X7 Wins – As Lengthy As You Can Take a look at It
We’re not alone in pondering {that a} new BMW X7 compares fairly favorably towards the Mercedes-Benz GLS. However, we now have to confess that it’s robust to fall in love with a automobile that doesn’t get your coronary heart racing each time you have a look at it. The polarizing exterior aesthetics, due to this fact, will doubtless be the make or break in your shopping for determination. Both manner, there’s hardly any losers at this worth level. Hopefully this makes your determination between the brand new BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS just a little bit simpler.
