2023 BMW X7 Vs. Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class: Luxury SUV Shootout

Fundamentally, both the BMW X7 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class aim to do very similar things. Both are theoretically the SUV-shaped alternatives to the respective brands' flagship sedans, the 7 Series and S-Class, respectively. Each of these German SUVs looks to coddle their occupants - up to seven of them - in seas of technology, leather, and gorgeous lighting. And each of them aims to do it in the best way possible, with a dash of sportiness thrown in. But on paper, how do they stack up? Is the fresh-faced X7 a better alternative than the slightly-seasoned GLS with a few years under its belt already?

Sure, looks are subjective, but at the risk of setting a bomb off in the comments, we'll come right out and say it: The Mercedes-Benz GLS is the prettier car. Call it a new design language, but BMW's big grilles aren't doing their vehicles any favors in our book. We can't imagine the optional illuminated grille will help much. The nose of the GLS is simply more attractive. Despite its equally large maw, it is far better executed.

As for the rest of the cars - where BMW goes hard and angular, Mercedes sticks to a far more flowing design. Your preference between the two is up to you, but we do like the more consistent flow of the Merc. Both cars offer large panoramic sunroofs and LED headlights, with BMW now option to split the DRLs into a separate unit compared to Merc's more traditional in-cluster DRLs.

Merc's luxury SUV is larger in nearly every respect, save for width - the BMW is 1.7 inches wider. However, the BMW's bulldog stance makes itself most apparent in wheel size, with 21-inch wheels and tires all around to the Merc's standard 20-inch items. Various options can be applied to either with larger wheels and sportier appearances, but the Merc looks more cohesive.

Both the X7 and GLS-Class seat seven occupants in three rows in one of the most serene, luxurious experiences those seven can get. With internal dimensions remaining largely unchanged for the X7, the third row is a little cramped, but then again, so is the GLS in this regard. Both have access to similar amenities across all three rows, including seat heating for all outboard positions, while those in the front two rows get ventilation. Multiple zone climate control is also to be expected at this level. Second-row captain's chairs reduce seating to six in both cases but aid flexibility and comfort.

The X7's cargo volumes are unlikely to change much, ranging from 12.8 cubic feet behind the third row to 90.4 cubes behind the first row. The Merc is better in the former regard with 17.4 cubic feet but fails at the latter end of things at 84.7 cubes maximum storage.

Where the two are surprisingly similar is in their reliance on screens to dominate the design department. Both rely on a massive landscape display array housing two screens. Ahead of the driver, the instrumentation display measures 12.3 inches in both SUVs, but BMW's center screen measures 14.9 inches to the GLS' 12.3 inches. BMW's iDrive8 powers things in the X7 while MBUX is standard in the Merc. iDrive feels more familiar, but MBUX works smoother once you're used to it. Either way, these two are remarkably similar.

In both, you get a slew of standard and optional tech amenities that lift the overall appeal such as large head-up displays, augmented reality navigation etc. but the BMW takes the cake with a Personal eSim. By linking to your BMW profile on your mobile device, all of your preferences move with you from vehicle to vehicle through a fully-connected 5G network. Mercedes doesn't have such functionality.

Both are ultra-luxurious, but we feel the BMW may have elevated its tech above that of the GLS. Enough to edge out its rival in the interior section.

Again, the similarities here are uncanny, with both the base GLS and X7 using 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engines with the aid of a mild hybrid system. Mercedes claims outputs of 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, while BMW's X7 xDrive40i has up to 375 hp and 383 lb-ft (389 lb-ft with an overboost function from the 48-volt electric system). In a straight sprint from 0-60 mph, the X7 takes 5.6 seconds while the GLS takes 5.9. Point BMW.

Up at the top of the range, the X7 M60i channels the brand's M division with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and mild-hybrid system cranking out 523 hp and 553 lb-ft, enough for it to hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. While Mercedes has struggled with supply chain issues hampering availability, the GLS 580's 4.0-liter V8 can only muster 483 hp and 516 lb-ft for a 5.2-second 60-mph dash. For 2022, there is no AMG-powered GLS.

Both SUVs use standard all-wheel drive systems, with Mercedes employing a nine-speed automatic gearbox to BMW's eight-speed. The Merc unit is super-smooth, but history tells us BMW's is quicker and more intuitive when it comes to performance.

When you're playing in this league, price isn't always a determining factor, but the two are very competitive. Merc's 2023 pricing hasn't been confirmed yet, but it shouldn't differ vastly from 2022 where the GLS-Class starts at $77,850 - the same price the 2023 X7 xDrive40i starts at. It's a big leap to the GLS 580, which breaches six figures at $101,250. The X7 M60i is a little pricier at $103,100.

Both cars are serious luxury rides, with the BMW M60i trim capable of stupefying performance. With no AMG variant and the GLS 580 a little down on power, BMW has performance in the bag. But how many people buy three-row SUVs for performance? The GLS rides plushly, as we expect the X7 to, and both are packed with comfort for up to seven people. The BMW is more practical, however, and has more screen real estate. That may not be a strong determinant as to which car is better, but BMW has taken some big technological leaps forward with this. It also seems BMW has upped the luxury.

With more power, more performance, more tech, and more space, even if by a small margin in each category, it seems BMW has the luxury three-row SUV to beat. You just have to look at it each day.