Compare the2024 Cadillac XT6VS 2024 Mercedes GLS

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the XT6 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The GLS doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The GLS doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The GLS doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the XT6 and the GLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the XT6 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLS. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the GLS ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The XT6’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the GLS’ (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 47 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the XT6’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the XT6’s reliability 18 points higher than the GLS.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XT6 first among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The GLS was rated second in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Cadillac 13 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the XT6 gets better mileage than the GLS:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT6’s fuel efficiency. The GLS doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Cadillac XT6 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The GLS requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The XT6 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GLS doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Cadillac XT6 higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Mercedes GLS (5 to 7). This means the XT6 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GLS every 15,000 miles.

The XT6 stops shorter than the GLS:

The Cadillac XT6’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes GLS only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The XT6 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The GLS doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the XT6’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the GLS’ (38.7 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Cadillac XT6 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1150 to 1550 pounds less than the Mercedes GLS.

The XT6 is 6.4 inches shorter than the GLS 450, making the XT6 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the XT6 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GLS doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XT6 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The GLS doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The XT6’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLS.

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the XT6, using the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the GLS.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 31% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XT6 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLS only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The XT6 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GLS doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the XT6 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the XT6 will cost $4425 to $10915 less than the GLS over a five-year period.

The XT6 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the XT6 will retain 49.6% to 50.95% of its original price after five years, while the GLS only retains 45.74% to 47.18%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the XT6 is less expensive to operate than the GLS because typical repairs cost much less on the XT6 than the GLS, including $301 less for a water pump, $114 less for front brake pads, $303 less for a starter, $148 less for fuel injection, $201 less for a fuel pump, $319 less for front struts and $440 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Cadillac XT6 will be $38831 to $109739 less than for the Mercedes GLS.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Cadillac XT6, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLS isn't recommended.