BMW X7 2027 vs Mercedes-Benz GLS 2027: price, engines, interior and what’s better

If you need one large premium SUV without unnecessary compromises, the BMW X7 xDrive40i looks simpler and more rational right now: it’s already on sale, has a clear starting price, a big trunk, and a more composed feel from behind the wheel. The Mercedes-Benz GLS 2027 is stronger elsewhere: it’s calmer, softer, and more passenger-oriented, especially if adults often ride in the second row.

There’s an important nuance: this is an uneven comparison in terms of market timing. For the BMW X7 2027 there are already official prices and a configurator, while the GLS 2027 in the U.S. is still listed as a model coming later, without a final MSRP. So BMW is more transparent on price right now, and with Mercedes some conclusions have to be drawn from the technical data already known and the latest published body dimensions.

What the choice comes down to

The idea is simple: the BMW X7 is a bet on versatility, cargo capacity, and a sense of control, while the Mercedes-Benz GLS is a bet on passenger comfort, a softer ride, and a more “lounge-like” cabin. If you’ll be driving the car yourself more often, BMW looks more logical. If what matters more is how people feel in the second row, the GLS has the stronger argument.

The difference is visible in the numbers too. The BMW X7 has a larger maximum cargo volume — about 2,560 L versus 2,398 L in the GLS. On the other hand, the GLS offers noticeably more second-row legroom, and the cargo area behind the third row is also larger. In other words, BMW works better as a big family all-rounder, while Mercedes is better as a large premium people carrier.

Which criteria to compare by

• Price and availability. The BMW X7 2027 already starts at $87,500 for the xDrive40i and $115,000 for the M60i. For the GLS 2027 there is still no official U.S. price, and that matters for a real budget.
• Engines. In base versions both deliver 375 hp, but the character is different: the X7 feels more driver-focused, the GLS calmer and smoother.
• Cabin, noise, and ride. The X7 is quiet and tight on the move, the GLS is softer and works more for passenger comfort. What matters here isn’t just the screens, but real behavior on broken asphalt.
• Practicality. You need to look not only at the third row, but also cargo space behind it, maximum volume with the seats folded, and the second-row layout.
• Long-term durability and ownership costs. In SUVs like these, long-term math is strongly shaped by air suspension, wheel diameter, and the choice between an inline-six and a V8. A more expensive version is not always cheaper to live with.
• Installation and upgrades. If you plan body kits, side steps, cargo-area protection, or other add-ons, it’s important to check availability of ready-made solutions for the specific body first — not after purchase.

Quick comparison of the options (table)

Detailed breakdown of each option

BMW X7 xDrive40i

This is the strongest point in the whole pair. The inline gasoline “six” with a mild hybrid delivers 375 hp and is more than enough for this size. The BMW has a strong practicality advantage: seven seats standard, optional six, a large maximum cargo area, standard all-wheel drive, and rear-axle steering. If you need a big SUV for everyday use, the X7 xDrive40i looks the most well-rounded.

The weak spot isn’t the engine, but the configuration. In the six-seat version, the second row with captain’s chairs looks more upscale, but the cabin becomes less flexible. And one more practical point: on large wheels the X7 loses some comfort, so wheel choice affects the feel no less than engine choice.

BMW X7 M60i

The M60i isn’t for most people — it’s for those who know exactly why they want a V8. 523 hp and acceleration on the level of much smaller cars make the X7 very quick, but essentially this is no longer about balance — it’s about excess capability. If the car is used mostly in the city, on family trips, or on the highway in a relaxed mode, the base xDrive40i covers the job more sensibly.

In terms of durability and ownership costs, a more expensive powertrain always brings higher expenses. That doesn’t mean you should avoid the M60i, but the premium only makes sense when you’re truly buying the V8 character — not just a badge in the price list.

Mercedes-Benz GLS 450

The GLS 450 is the main rival to the X7 xDrive40i. Power is the same — 375 hp — but the car’s logic is different. The GLS has more second-row space, standard AIRMATIC air suspension, and a stronger emphasis on calmness in the cabin. Where the BMW feels like a big car for the driver, the Mercedes is tuned so passengers notice the road less.

Inside, the GLS 2027 looks fresher thanks to the new multimedia architecture, Superscreen, and a stronger focus on rear passengers. But at the time of choosing there’s one problem: the price hasn’t been officially announced yet. So the GLS 450 may turn out very attractive or noticeably less compelling — it depends on the final price.

Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 / AMG GLS 63

These are options for a buyer who doesn’t want to look for a compromise between comfort and prestige and is ready to pay for extra torque. The GLS 580 offers 530 hp, the AMG GLS 63 already 603 hp. But it’s important not to confuse possibility with need. For most real-world scenarios, the GLS 450 is already fast enough, and expensive V8 versions are bought not because you can’t do without them, but because you want that level of sensation.

Just like with BMW, the expensive versions depend more on the right configuration. Large wheels reduce comfort, and complex active systems don’t automatically make the car better for every driver. You have to answer honestly what exactly you’re paying for.

Which option is better for different scenarios

For a family that often travels with luggage and kids’ gear and doesn’t want to wait for sales to start, the better choice is the BMW X7 xDrive40i. It’s already clear on budget, has enough performance, and offers better potential in maximum cargo volume.

For trips with adult passengers in the second row, long highway runs, and a scenario where people comfort matters more than driver excitement, the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 looks stronger. And if it’s about image, a V8, and the desire to get the most from the class without being tightly tied to costs, that’s where the territory of the X7 M60i, GLS 580, and AMG GLS 63 begins.

One more simple filter: if you need to buy now, BMW has the advantage simply because it’s already on sale. If you can wait and the most important criteria are the second row and ride softness, it’s worth waiting for the final GLS 2027 pricing.

Use case and what to choose (table)

Typical mistakes when choosing

1. Comparing the BMW X7 price to the GLS 2027 as if everything is already known for Mercedes. Until there’s an MSRP, any “exact” math is conditional.
2. Overpaying for a V8 without a real need. In this class, a good inline “six” already provides enough pull.
3. Choosing large wheels for looks rather than for your roads. Both the X7 and GLS become less comfortable on overly large rims.
4. Underestimating the cabin layout. In the X7, the six-seat layout looks prestigious, but loses flexibility compared to the seven-seat setup.
5. Looking only at the cargo area behind the third row. For some owners, maximum volume with seats folded matters more, and BMW is stronger here.
6. Ignoring long-term durability and costs. Air suspension, V8s, and expensive active systems should be chosen when you truly use their advantages.
7. Not thinking about upgrade installation in advance. If you’re planning side steps, a body kit, or other expensive upgrades, it’s better to factor that in before choosing the trim.

When a more expensive option makes sense

A more expensive version makes sense in three cases: you regularly carry adult passengers and want maximum second-row comfort, you truly need a V8 character, or you plan noticeable upgrades after purchase. If the main goal is simply to have a large premium SUV, a pricier modification doesn’t always deliver a proportionally better result.

For BMW, that’s the X7 M60i logic: first you need to honestly decide whether you need the V8 specifically, or whether it’s better to take the xDrive40i and put the budget into configuration and exterior details such as a body kit for the X7 or side steps for the X7. For Mercedes, the more expensive choice is justified when the format is bought as a passenger flagship and you immediately look at facelift kits for the GLS together with the version.

Conclusion

If you set emotions aside, the best universal choice today is the BMW X7 xDrive40i. It’s already available, clear on money, and strong on practicality. The Mercedes-Benz GLS 2027 looks more appealing for those who rank second-row comfort, a newer interior, and a softer character higher.

Three things are worth remembering: the base inline “sixes” in this pair are already sufficient, large wheels often ruin the right configuration, and the real choice between X7 and GLS comes down not to brochure horsepower, but to who will more often be the main person in the cabin — the driver or the passenger.