Compare the2027 BMW X5 VS 2026 Mercedes G-Class

The X5 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The G-Class doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X5 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 G-Class uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X5 and the G-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all-wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the G-Class’ (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the G-Class.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 14 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 54 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’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 14 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The X5’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 413) than the G 550’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the G-Class running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
X5
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/28 hwy
G-Class
	AWD	550 4.0 turbo V8	17 city/19 hwy
		63 4.0 turbo V8	14 city/16 hwy

For better traction and acceleration, the X5 has larger rear tires than the G-Class (284/45R21 vs. 265/60R18).

The X5’s 255/50R21 front and 284/45R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series front and 45 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the G-Class’ 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the G-Class. The X5’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the AMG G 63.

For superior ride and handling, the BMW X5 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mercedes G-Class has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The X5 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The G-Class doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the G-Class (119.5 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the G-Class.

For better maneuverability, the X5’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the AMG G 63’s (42 feet vs. 44.3 feet). The X5’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (42 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

The BMW X5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 1700 pounds less than the Mercedes G-Class.

The X5 is 8.5 inches shorter in height than the G-Class, making the X5 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the X5’s 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 G-Class doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The design of the BMW X5 amounts to more than styling. The X5 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the G-Class (.55) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X5 get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the X5 has standard flush composite headlights. The G-Class has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The X5 has 1.1 inches more front legroom, 4.5 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.8 inches more rear hip room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the G-Class.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The G-Class doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The G-Class’ rear cargo window doesn’t open.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the X5 has a standard power tailgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The G-Class doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the G-Class’ (7710 vs. 7000 pounds).

The X5 has a much higher standard payload capacity than the G-Class (1477 vs. 1235 lbs.).

The X5 has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The G-Class doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X5’s optional power side swing out doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the sport utility. The G-Class doesn’t offer a power rear door.

The X5’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The G-Class doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X5 has standard extendable sun visors. The G-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The G-Class doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the BMW X5 and the Mercedes G-Class have a standard Qi wireless phone charging system in the front seat. To easily keep personal devices charged in the rear seat, without cables tangling and wearing out, the X5 also has a standard wireless charging system in the rear seat. The G-Class does not.

The BMW X5 outsold the Mercedes G-Class by over six to one during 2025.