2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from the brand's historical design language, which was often likened to utilitarian appliances. This model presented a more refined and purposeful aesthetic, with a stout front end and a grille that was assertive without being ostentatious. The signature "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, distinguishing it from the boxy Volvos of the past. The XC90's dimensions remained somewhat rectilinear, but it no longer resembled a household appliance. The Ultimate trim, with its 21-inch wheels and Platinum Grey paint, added a touch of drama and richness to the vehicle's otherwise stoic appearance. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with its two-tone leather steering wheel, metal speaker covers, crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a serene and sophisticated cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS embraced a modern design with a soft sensuality that, while bordering on boring, aged gracefully. The GLS 450 test vehicle featured 22-inch AMG rims, a new silver four-louver grille, and polished metal accents, creating a striking exterior. Inside, the GLS 450 showcased a Bahia Brown over Black interior with natural-grain Grey Oak, polished aluminum accents, and rich detailing. The front seats offered comfort with leather surfaces, heating, ventilation, and massage programs. The GLS provided excellent outward visibility and a commanding view over the hood. The rear seats were heated, and the four-zone climate control ensured comfort for all passengers. However, accessing the third row was cumbersome, and the space was snug for adults. Despite these challenges, the GLS offered practical cargo space and a luxurious interior experience.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced the B6 engine, replacing the older turbocharged engines with a mild-hybrid system. This powertrain delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, slightly less than its predecessor but with improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation. The mild-hybrid system used a lithium-ion battery to power a 13-volt starter generator, enhancing the vehicle's fuel-saving auto stop-start technology. The XC90 provided a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with minimal body roll and quick acceleration. Its eight-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, and the brakes inspired confidence. While lacking extensive off-road capabilities, the XC90 offered simplicity in its driving dynamics, appealing to those who preferred straightforward operation.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid technology, delivered 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain provided smooth acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The nine-speed automatic transmission and variable 4Matic all-wheel-drive system offered a sublime driving experience. The GLS featured multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle's dynamics. The adaptive air suspension and massive Continental Premium Contact tires contributed to the GLS's athleticism, while the brakes performed admirably. The GLS also offered off-road capabilities with an Off-Road menu and an optional Off-Road Package for enhanced ground clearance and water fording capability.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior offered a peaceful and pleasant experience, but its Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage frustrations. The lack of dedicated cubby space for smaller items, such as a cell phone, was a notable drawback. The second row provided comfort and reasonable space, but accessing the third row was challenging. With the third-row seats in place, the XC90 offered 356 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,183 litres with the seats folded down, and a maximum of 1,856 litres. While the XC90 drove like a smaller car, its cargo capacity fell short compared to competitors like the Audi Q7 and Infiniti QX60.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS, with the optional AMG Line package, featured sportier styling but posed challenges when entering or exiting the vehicle. The front seats offered comfort with leather surfaces, heating, ventilation, and massage programs. The GLS provided excellent outward visibility and a commanding view over the hood. The rear seats were heated, and the four-zone climate control ensured comfort for all passengers. However, accessing the third row was cumbersome, and the space was snug for adults. Despite these challenges, the GLS offered practical cargo space with 355 litres behind the third-row seat, 1,209 litres behind the second row, and a maximum of 2,400 litres behind the front seats.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running on Google OS, the first of its kind in the automotive industry. This system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard features. While the natural-language recognition was impressive, the reliance on the touchscreen interface for key functions led to some frustration. The minimalist design, while visually appealing, required users to interact with the screen for tasks like adjusting the driver's seat position. Keyless entry was standard, and a head-up display was optional.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS was equipped with the latest MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system offered improved graphics and various instrumentation themes. While MBUX was generally fast and easy to use, touch-sensitive areas on the steering wheel and centre console caused occasional frustration. Despite these minor issues, MBUX was praised for its intuitive operation, natural voice recognition, and augmented reality navigation system. The standard Burmester surround-sound system with Dolby Atmos technology enhanced the audio experience.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, earning a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. These technologies supported Volvo's Pilot Assist system, which maintained distance from the car ahead and provided gentle steering assistance.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS came equipped with over 20 significant safety features, with many adjustable through the MBUX system. The forward-collision warning system, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist were praised for their effectiveness. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems handled various driving conditions smoothly. While there was a single instance of the lane-centring assist momentarily turning off, the GLS's advanced driving assistance systems were otherwise outstanding.