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Mercedes GLS vs Volvo XC40 comparison

Compare performance (634 HP vs 197 HP), boot space and price (96100 £ vs 36800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes GLS or Volvo XC40?

Mercedes GLS vs Volvo XC40: Key differences

Mercedes GLS

  • decisively more power
  • convincingly quicker from 0–100 km/h

Volvo XC40

5 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • convincingly cheaper
  • somewhat more efficient
  • decisively lighter
  • clearly perceptible more trunk space

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

GLS

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Volvo XC40 has a convincingly advantage in terms of price – it starts at 36800 £ , while the Mercedes GLS costs 96100 £ . That’s a price difference of around 59358 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: Volvo XC40 manages with 6.50 L and is therefore somewhat more efficient than the Mercedes GLS with 7.80 L. The difference is about 1.30 L per 100 km.

XC40

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes GLS has a decisively edge – offering 634 HP compared to 197 HP. That’s roughly 437 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes GLS is convincingly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.20 s, while the Volvo XC40 takes 7.60 s. That’s about 3.40 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the Mercedes GLS performs evident better – reaching 280 km/h, while the Volvo XC40 tops out at 180 km/h. The difference is around 100 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: Mercedes GLS pulls convincingly stronger with 850 Nm compared to 300 Nm. That’s about 550 Nm difference.

GLS

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Seats: Mercedes GLS offers noticeable more seating capacity – 7 vs 5.

In curb weight, Volvo XC40 is decisively lighter – 1688 kg compared to 2550 kg. The difference is around 862 kg.

In terms of boot space, the Volvo XC40 offers clearly perceptible more room – 452 L compared to 355 L. That’s a difference of about 97 L.

In maximum load capacity, the Mercedes GLS performs decisively better – up to 2400 L, which is about 1072 L more than the Volvo XC40.

When it comes to payload, Mercedes GLS noticeable takes the win – 695 kg compared to 532 kg. That’s a difference of about 163 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes GLS holds a decisive overall lead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

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Mercedes GLS
Volvo XC40

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis
from about £96,100
GLS

Mercedes GLS

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 333 - 634 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 7.8 - 13.7 L
details

Mercedes GLS

The GLS — usually just called the GLS — is Mercedes' flagship SUV, wrapping limousine-like comfort and commanding road presence into a smart, family-ready package. It pampers occupants with a hushed cabin, premium materials and intuitive tech, while still managing to feel confident and a little indulgent on the daily commute.

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Volvo XC40

5 (4 Reviews)
rate

The Volvo XC40 wraps Scandinavian minimalism into a compact, city-ready SUV with a premium cabin that feels both practical and grown-up. It will suit buyers who prize safety, clever storage and a composed ride, proving that small dimensions don't mean small personality.

details
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Reviews Mercedes GLS

Reviews Volvo XC40

5 (4 Reviews)
rate
Mercedes GLS
Volvo XC40

Costs and Consumption
Price
96100 - 208500 £
Price
36800 - 47200 £
Consumption L/100km
7.8 - 13.7 L
Consumption L/100km
6.50 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
204 - 310 g/km
co2
147 - 148 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
90 L
Fuel tank capacity
54 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
7
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
2550 - 2825 kg
Curb weight
1688 kg
Trunk capacity
355 L
Trunk capacity
452 L
Length
5208 - 5233 mm
Length
4425 mm
Width
1956 mm
Width
1863 mm
Height
1782 - 1838 mm
Height
1652 mm
Max trunk capacity
2400 L
Max trunk capacity
1328 L
Payload
445 - 695 kg
Payload
532 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
333 - 634 HP
Power HP
163 - 197 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.2 - 6.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.6 - 8.6 s
Max Speed
238 - 280 km/h
Max Speed
180 km/h
Torque
500 - 850 Nm
Torque
265 - 300 Nm
Number of Cylinders
6 - 8
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
245 - 466 kW
Power kW
120 - 145 kW
Engine capacity
2989 - 3982 cm3
Engine capacity
1969 cm3

General
Model Year
2024 - 2025
Model Year
2024
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Volvo

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Is the Mercedes GLS offered with different drivetrains?

Available configurations include All-Wheel Drive.

The prices shown are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted for local VAT. Local registration taxes (e.g. NoVA, BPM or CO2 malus) are not included. This information is not legally binding.