2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS in its base GLS 450 form presented a more subtle and less flashy look compared to its competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Land Rover Range Rover, or Lincoln Navigator. Mercedes confidently avoided a gaudy grille, unlike the BMW X7 or Lexus LX. However, other GLS models offered more visual drama. The AMG GLS 63 performance model featured flared wheel arches, a muscular grille, prominent rectangular exhaust tips, and AMG-specific 21-inch wheels. The Maybach version was adorned with chrome everywhere, including the grille, window trim, and front-bumper mesh, and came with a traditional-looking hood ornament and power running boards, available with massive 23-inch wheels.

The interior of the GLS 450 felt appropriately luxurious for a high-end SUV. Our test car, though basic by GLS standards, still impressed with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The intricate speaker grilles and rectangular air vents added a rugged touch. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen housed under one piece of glass were well integrated, framed nicely by the upright dashboard. Overall, the GLS 450’s interior felt high quality without being fragile, suitable for surveying a country estate from behind its three-spoke steering wheel.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant stylistic evolution from Volvo’s past. The XC90 looked purposeful but not boastful, with a stout and solid front end that wasn’t shouty. The grille was assertive without being too flashy, and the “Thor’s Hammer” headlights added a modern flair. The XC90’s dimensions and shape leaned toward rectilinear but were far from the boxy designs of the past. Our test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, adding a bit of drama to the otherwise stoic XC90.

The interior of the XC90 was extremely elegant, with a gorgeous two-tone leather steering wheel and a blend of wonderful materials. The metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery were delightful. The minimalist design featured wood deco inlays across the dash and center console. However, the lack of physical buttons and limited cubby space for smaller items, like cell phones, could be frustrating. Despite these minor issues, the XC90’s interior was a beautiful and clean space.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 was powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes’ EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The gasoline engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an electric motor adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. The electric motor also served as the starter and powered most accessories, reducing the engine’s workload. The GLS 450’s six-cylinder engine provided ample muscle, and the electric assist was well integrated, making it a smooth fit for a luxury vehicle.

However, the GLS 450’s suspension left something to be desired. Despite the standard air suspension, which could raise and lower the ride height and negate impacts from potholes, our test car exhibited poor body control, bouncing over bumps and leaning in corners. The GLS 450 had a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which was competitive but fell short of some rivals like the Lexus LX and Lincoln Navigator.

For the 2023 model year, Volvo replaced its older turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines (T5 and T6) in the XC90 with new B5 and B6 engines equipped with mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, like the T6, used a supercharger and turbo with mild-hybrid tech to churn out 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation, though the gains were minimal.

The XC90 delivered an enjoyable driving experience with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. The ride was smooth, with minimal road and wind noise, thanks to excellent insulation. The brakes inspired confidence with a solid pedal feel. The XC90’s driving dynamics were straightforward, with fewer customizable driving modes, making it easy to drive. During a New Hampshire snowstorm, the XC90 handled well, though dedicated winter tires would have provided more confidence.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, featuring a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat and two third-row seats. An optional six-seat version replaced the second-row bench with individual captain’s chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for access to the third row, and the standard bench seat could slide fore and aft as one piece, increasing legroom by 3.4 inches. The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The air suspension could lower to make loading and unloading cargo easier.

The 2023 Volvo XC90’s interior was elegant but had some space and storage frustrations. There was limited cubby space for smaller items, and the USB port for plugging in a phone was located in the small center console bin. The second row was comfortable and reasonably spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The XC90 came standard with a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, with an option to delete the middle seat for captain’s chairs and six-passenger seating, though this required upgrading to the B6 engine. The XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third seat in position, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and maxing out at 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and natural-language voice recognition. A 13-speaker Burmester audio system was standard, with an optional head-up display. The voice recognition system, responding to “Hey Mercedes,” was the easiest to use, understanding normal speech well. The touchscreen and instrument cluster had good-looking graphics, though the navigation system had some issues.

The 2023 Volvo XC90’s 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display ran Google OS, with Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard features. The natural-language recognition was excellent, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were filed within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons, making it necessary to use the screen for tasks like turning on the heated steering wheel or adjusting the driver’s seat position.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, Crosswind Assist, parking assist, and Pre Safe. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, second-row side airbags, and advanced driver-assistance features like Active Steering Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Trailer Stability Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was well-regarded for its safety, carrying a five-star rating from the NHTSA and being named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS in 2022. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which helped maintain distance from the car ahead and provided gentle nudges back into the lane. These features made the XC90 one of the safest vehicles on the road.