2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

If you are a minivan aficionado like we are, then you know that the 2022 Honda Odyssey is the most enjoyable one to drive. It has that light, effortless, responsive driving character that Honda bakes into every one of its cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans. But you also know that the Odyssey’s rivals are successfully outflanking it in terms of stylish design, all-weather capability, electrified efficiency, infotainment technology, and outright luxury.

In response to these new threats, Honda makes no changes to the 2022 Odyssey. Good thing its “original recipe” approach remains pretty tasty.

The SUV that’s now known as the GLS was launched for the 2007 model year as the GL-Class, when Mercedes decided it needed a bigger, more luxurious SUV to sit above the M-Class in its lineup. The GL-Class and M-Class were rebadged the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class and GLE-Class, respectively, in 2014 when Mercedes introduced a new naming scheme across its lineup.

The current version of the GLS was introduced for the 2020 model year, and represents the model’s third generation. It’s aimed at other full-size luxury SUVs, including the BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX80, Land Rover Range Rover, Lincoln Navigator, and Lexus LX.

Four models are available in Canada: the base six-cylinder GLS 450 4Matic, the GLS 580 4Matic, the AMG GLS 63 4Matic+, and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4Matic. Availability is currently limited, and specifications for the 2022 model year are not available. However, they are expected to be very close to those listed for 2021, which were used as reference for the information provided here. We tested a U.S.-specification 2022 GLS 450 for this review.