Compare the2025 BMW X6 MVS 2025 Mercedes G-Class

The X6 M has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The G-Class doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the BMW X6 M achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mercedes G-Class has not been tested.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X6 M 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 G-Class uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X6 M and the G-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The X6 M’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the G-Class’ (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X6 M for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the G-Class.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes With 28 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

The X6 M’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 174 more horsepower (617 vs. 443) and 140 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 413) than the G 550’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The X6 M’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 40 more horsepower (617 vs. 577) than the AMG G 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The X6 M’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 38 more horsepower (617 vs. 579) than the G 580’s standard electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the X6 M gets better fuel mileage than the AMG G 63 running its gasoline engine (13 city/18 hwy vs. 14 city/16 hwy).

For better stopping power the X6 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the G-Class:

For better traction, the X6 M has larger tires than the G-Class (F:295/35R21 & R:315/30R22 vs. 265/60R18).

The X6 M’s 295/35R21 front and 315/30R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the G-Class’ 60 series tires. The X6 M’s tires are lower profile than the G-Class’ optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X6 M has standard 21-inch front and 22-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the G-Class. The G-Class’ largest wheels are only 21-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the BMW X6 M has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mercedes G-Class has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The front and rear suspension of the X6 M uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the G-Class, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X6 M has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X6 M’s 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 G-Class doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X6 M’s wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer than on the G-Class (117 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X6 M is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the G-Class.

For better maneuverability, the X6 M’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the AMG G 63’s (42 feet vs. 44.3 feet). The X6 M’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (42 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

The X6 M is 10.8 inches shorter in height than the G-Class, making the X6 M much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the X6 M’s 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 G-Class doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

For excellent aerodynamics, the X6 M has standard flush composite headlights. The G-Class has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The X6 M has 1.7 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the G-Class.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X6 M’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The G-Class doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X6 M’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The G-Class’ rear cargo window doesn’t open.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X6 M’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The G-Class doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

The X6 M has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, 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 G-Class doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X6 M to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The G-Class doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The X6 M’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The G-Class doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X6 M has standard extendable sun visors. The G-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X6 M to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The G-Class doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X6 M’s Parking Assistant Professional can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The G-Class’ automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.