Compare the2026 Mercedes GLSVS 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLS have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer L doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The GLS has a standard Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Grand Wagoneer L doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GLS. But it costs extra on the Grand Wagoneer L.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLS has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Grand Wagoneer L doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the GLS and Grand Wagoneer L have rear cross-traffic warning, but the GLS has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Grand Wagoneer L’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the GLS uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Grand Wagoneer L uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the GLS and the Grand Wagoneer L have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and driver alert monitors.

The GLS comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Grand Wagoneer L’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GLS third among large premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Grand Wagoneer L isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Jeep With 32 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Jeep.

The GLS 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 90 more horsepower (510 vs. 420) and 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 468) than the Grand Wagoneer L’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The Maybach GLS 600’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 130 more horsepower (550 vs. 420) and 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 468) than the Grand Wagoneer L’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the GLS gets better mileage than the Grand Wagoneer L:

The GLS has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Grand Wagoneer L. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Grand Wagoneer L.

The GLS stops much shorter than the Grand Wagoneer L:

For better traction and acceleration, the GLS has larger standard rear tires than the Grand Wagoneer L (315/40R21 vs. 275/55R20). The GLS’ optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the Grand Wagoneer L (325/35R23 vs. 285/45R22).

The GLS’ standard 275/45R21 front and 315/40R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Grand Wagoneer L’s standard 55 series tires. The GLS’ optional 285/40R23 front and 325/35R23 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Grand Wagoneer L’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLS has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the Grand Wagoneer L. The GLS’ optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Grand Wagoneer L.

The front and rear suspension of the GLS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Grand Wagoneer L, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The GLS offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Jeep doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Grand Wagoneer L.

The GLS’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Grand Wagoneer L doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The GLS 450 handles at .92 G’s, while the Grand Wagoneer L 4x4 pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Maybach GLS 600’s turning circle is 6.5 feet tighter than the Grand Wagoneer L’s (35.7 feet vs. 42.2 feet). The GLS’ turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Grand Wagoneer L’s (41.1 feet vs. 42.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Grand Wagoneer L (10.1 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the Grand Wagoneer L Air Suspension (11.3 vs. 10 inches).

The Mercedes GLS may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 550 pounds less than the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L.

The GLS 450 is 1 foot, 11.2 inches shorter than the Grand Wagoneer L, making the GLS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the GLS’ center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Grand Wagoneer L doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the GLS easier. The GLS’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 31.8 inches, while the Grand Wagoneer L’s liftover is 34 inches.

The GLS has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Grand Wagoneer L doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

The GLS’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Grand Wagoneer L’s (7700 vs. 5770 pounds).

The GLS’ front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Grand Wagoneer L’s standard power windows’ rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the GLS the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote (remote must be aimed at door sensor). On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Grand Wagoneer L can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Grand Wagoneer L doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The Grand Wagoneer L’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GLS’ standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLS has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Grand Wagoneer L doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The Mercedes GLS has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the Grand Wagoneer L.

The GLS has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Jeep doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Grand Wagoneer L.

The GLS offers an optional center folding armrest for the third row rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and can provide a barrier between children. The Grand Wagoneer L doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

Both the GLS and the Grand Wagoneer L offer available massaging front seats. The GLS also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the Grand Wagoneer L.