Compare the2026 BMW XMVS 2025 Mercedes G-Class

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the XM 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 XM and the G-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the XM 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 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 295 more horsepower (738 vs. 443) and 325 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 413) than the G 550’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 161 more horsepower (738 vs. 577) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 627) than the AMG G 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 159 more horsepower (738 vs. 579) than the G 580’s standard electric motors.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW XM is faster than the Mercedes G-Class:

For better stopping power the XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the G-Class:

The XM stops much shorter than the G-Class:

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the G-Class (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 265/60R18).

The XM’s standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the G-Class’ 60 series tires. The XM’s 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the G-Class’ optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the G-Class. The XM’s 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the AMG G 63.

For superior ride and handling, the BMW XM 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 rear suspension of the XM uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the G-Class, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 8.4 inches longer than on the G-Class (122.2 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the G-Class.

The XM Label handles at .97 G’s, while the G 550 pulls only .62 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XM Label executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 5.9 seconds quicker than the G 550 (23.9 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 29.8 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the XM’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the AMG G 63’s (41 feet vs. 44.3 feet). The XM’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (41 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

The XM is 8.3 inches shorter in height than the G-Class, making the XM much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the XM’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.

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

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

The XM has 1.7 inches more front legroom, 4.5 inches more front hip room, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more rear hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the G-Class.

The XM’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The G-Class’ swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

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

The XM 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the XM to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The G-Class doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The XM’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 XM has standard extendable sun visors. The G-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.