2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2021 Volvo XC40

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS
$76,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volvo XC40
2021 Volvo XC40
$33,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS
$76,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volvo XC40
$33,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$76,000

MSRP

$33,700

Average price

$89,792

Average price

$33,535

Listings

20

Listings

50

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS Reviews Summary

The “S” in the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS name is meant to connect the SUV to the S-Class flagship sedan. In this sense, the GLS is the S-Class of SUVs, and it delivers on that positioning. The 2021 GLS-Class has three rows of spacious seating, and puts comfort above all else. The GLS can hold groceries, weekend bags, antique desks purchased from a roadside consignment shop—all things that would require a lot of negotiating in the S-Class sedan.

The GLS is one member of a growing fraternity of full-size, three-row, luxury SUVs. Their ranks include the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, Infiniti QX80, and the more recent BMW X7. The GLS sets itself apart with a higher standard of luxury, and impressive performance… if you’re willing to shell out the cash.

2021 Volvo XC40 Reviews Summary

Introduced for the 2019 model year, the Volvo XC40 enters 2021 with one major change—the addition of an all-electric powertrain option. The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge is the Scandinavian automaker’s first mass-market pure electric vehicle, in fact.

The Recharge will be sold alongside gasoline versions of the XC40, which carry over largely unchanged, and compete against small luxury crossovers like the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and Lexus UX. With its electric powertrain, the Recharge is a de facto Tesla Model Y competitor. It’s also priced similar to high-end versions of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, although the two electric crossovers have somewhat different philosophies.

In addition to that zero-emission powertrain, the Recharge gets an Android-based operating system, over-the-air (OTA) software update capability for all vehicle systems, and some updates to driver-assist tech. These changes don’t apply to gasoline 2021 XC40 models, but Volvo does plan to add the Android operating system to more vehicles in the future.

Since the Recharge is the main new thing for the 2021 XC40, that’s what we focused on for this review. While the gasoline XC40 is available in three trim levels—Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription—with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada, the Recharge is only offered in a single trim level.

No video found
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.0L 362 hp I6

Engine

2.0L 187 hp I4

Drive Train

AWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

7

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

362 hp @ 5500 rpm

Horsepower

187 hp @ 4700 rpm

MPG City

20

MPG City

23

MPG Highway

24

MPG Highway

32
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS
$76,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volvo XC40
2021 Volvo XC40
$33,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS
$76,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volvo XC40
$33,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$76,000
$33,700
Average price
$89,792
$33,535
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.9
4.5
Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10

Read full review

8.0 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Summary

The “S” in the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS name is meant to connect the SUV to the S-Class flagship sedan. In this sense, the GLS is the S-Class of SUVs, and it delivers on that positioning. The 2021 GLS-Class has three rows of spacious seating, and puts comfort above all else. The GLS can hold groceries, weekend bags, antique desks purchased from a roadside consignment shop—all things that would require a lot of negotiating in the S-Class sedan.

The GLS is one member of a growing fraternity of full-size, three-row, luxury SUVs. Their ranks include the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, Infiniti QX80, and the more recent BMW X7. The GLS sets itself apart with a higher standard of luxury, and impressive performance… if you’re willing to shell out the cash.

Introduced for the 2019 model year, the Volvo XC40 enters 2021 with one major change—the addition of an all-electric powertrain option. The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge is the Scandinavian automaker’s first mass-market pure electric vehicle, in fact.

The Recharge will be sold alongside gasoline versions of the XC40, which carry over largely unchanged, and compete against small luxury crossovers like the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and Lexus UX. With its electric powertrain, the Recharge is a de facto Tesla Model Y competitor. It’s also priced similar to high-end versions of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, although the two electric crossovers have somewhat different philosophies.

In addition to that zero-emission powertrain, the Recharge gets an Android-based operating system, over-the-air (OTA) software update capability for all vehicle systems, and some updates to driver-assist tech. These changes don’t apply to gasoline 2021 XC40 models, but Volvo does plan to add the Android operating system to more vehicles in the future.

Since the Recharge is the main new thing for the 2021 XC40, that’s what we focused on for this review. While the gasoline XC40 is available in three trim levels—Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription—with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada, the Recharge is only offered in a single trim level.

Video
No video found
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
3.0L 362 hp I6
2.0L 187 hp I4
Drive Train
AWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
7
5
Horsepower
362 hp @ 5500 rpm
187 hp @ 4700 rpm
MPG City
20
23
MPG Highway
24
32
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