When diving into reviews for luxury SUVs like the Mercedes Benz GLS and BMW X7, it’s easy to get lost in feature lists. However, for discerning drivers, the real question boils down to the driving and passenger experience, particularly ride quality. Interestingly, opinions diverge, with some favoring the GLS for ride comfort, while others champion the X7. So, which luxury SUV truly delivers a superior ride?
Expert reviewers provide some clues. Car and Driver notes, “On big impacts, the GLS will send an occasional quiver through its structure, and the giant wheels send more noise and vibes into the cabin over broken roads. The X7 is resolutely solid.” This suggests the X7 handles rough roads with more composure. They further highlight the GLS’s optional E-Active Body Control suspension sometimes falters, causing “odd body undulations.”
Autocar echoes this, stating, “Uneven stretches of country road highlight a tendency for the GLS body control to succumb to pronounced side-to-side jostling, while the car’s secondary ride seems happy to fuss and amplify some of the numerous ruts and edges that it deals with.” They point out that while the GLS boasts off-road capabilities, this might compromise on-road ride sophistication, where the BMW X7 “does notably better to isolate its occupants.” The reviewers also suggest the GLS’s larger 22-inch wheels, compared to the X7’s standard 21-inch wheels, could contribute to the difference.
While acknowledging the GLS’s “likeable pillowy feel” on smoother surfaces, Autocar mentions its suspension doesn’t provide ideal “high-speed body control,” likely due to its considerable weight. Despite this, they concede that for a luxury car, the primary ride is “at least forgivable.”
In conclusion, based on expert reviews, the BMW X7 appears to offer a superior ride quality compared to the Mercedes GLS, exhibiting more composure over bumps and less body jostling. Beyond ride comfort, the X7 is also lauded for being quieter, having more comfortable seats, a more responsive and fuel-efficient engine, and better overall driving dynamics. The GLS, however, holds its own with more interior space and a more rugged aesthetic, appealing to those prioritizing these aspects in a luxury SUV. For drivers prioritizing a refined and comfortable ride, the BMW X7 emerges as the stronger contender in this head-to-head Mercedes Benz Vs Bmw comparison.
