Compare the2025 Mercedes GLSVS 2025 Ford Expedition

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Drivetrain
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The GLS’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Expedition doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes GLS has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Expedition doesn’t offer knee airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GLS. But it costs extra on the Expedition.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLS has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Expedition doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the GLS 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 Expedition uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the GLS and the Expedition have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Warranty

The GLS comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Expedition’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Ford With 21 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Ford.

Engine

The GLS has more powerful engines than the Expedition:

	Horsepower	Torque
GLS 580 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	510 HP	538 lbs.-ft.
Maybach GLS 600 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	550 HP	538 lbs.-ft.
Expedition 3.5 turbo V6	400 HP	480 lbs.-ft.
Expedition 3.5 turbo V6	440 HP	510 lbs.-ft.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLS gets better mileage than the Expedition:

			MPG
GLS
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	19 city/24 hwy
Expedition
	RWD	3.5 turbo V6	16 city/24 hwy
	AWD	3.5 turbo V6 (400 HP)	15 city/22 hwy
		3.5 turbo V6 (440 HP)	15 city/22 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the GLS’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Expedition doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The GLS has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Expedition. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Drivetrain

The GLS has 4ETS, a true four-wheel-drive system, which uses a four wheel traction control system to redirect engine power to the axle and wheel that still has traction to keep the GLS moving if even only one wheel still has traction. The Expedition doesn’t offer a true four-wheel drive system; it could get stuck while one or more wheels still have traction.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Expedition:

	GLS	Expedition
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13.2 inches

The GLS stops much shorter than the Expedition:

	GLS	Expedition
60 to 0 MPH	107 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLS has larger standard tires than the Expedition (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 265/70R18).

The GLS’ standard 275/45R21 front and 315/40R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Expedition’s standard 70 series tires. The GLS’ optional 325/35R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Expedition Platinum Ultimate’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLS has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Expedition.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the GLS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Expedition, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The GLS offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Ford doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Expedition.

The GLS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLS’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Expedition doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Maybach GLS 600 handles at .86 G’s, while the Expedition Active 4x4 pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Maybach GLS 600 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Expedition Active 4x4 (26.5 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Maybach GLS 600’s turning circle is 5.3 feet tighter than the Expedition’s (35.7 feet vs. 41 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Expedition (10.1 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 2.6 inches higher than on the Expedition (11.3 vs. 8.7 inches).

Chassis

The GLS 450 is 5 inches shorter than the Expedition, making the GLS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the GLS’ 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 Expedition doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the GLS easier. The GLS’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 31.8 inches, while the Expedition’s liftover is 34.7 inches.

The GLS has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Expedition doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

The GLS’ liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Expedition’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the GLS’ liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Expedition doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its tailgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The GLS’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Expedition’s (7700 vs. 6000 pounds).

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Expedition, the GLS has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLS’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Expedition.

The GLS offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, 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 Expedition doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GLS’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Expedition’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The GLS’ standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Expedition only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The GLS’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Expedition’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Expedition doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the GLS has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Expedition doesn’t offer cornering lights. The GLS also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLS has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Expedition doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLS to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Expedition doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the GLS is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Expedition’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Mercedes GLS has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the Expedition.

The GLS has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Ford doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Expedition.

The GLS has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Expedition doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The GLS offers an optional center folding armrest for the third row rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and can provide a barrier between children. The Expedition doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

Both the GLS and the Expedition offer available massaging front seats. The GLS also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the Expedition.

The Mercedes GLS has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Ford charges extra for Homelink® on the Expedition.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLS has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Expedition. The GLS also offers Qi charging in the second row seat. The Expedition doesn’t offer wireless charging in its second row seat.

The GLS’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Expedition doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLS is less expensive to operate than the Expedition because it costs $36 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the GLS than the Expedition, including $347 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GLS third among large premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Expedition isn’t in the top three in its category.

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