Verdict
At RM735,800, the BMW X6 costs RM264,088 less yet reaches 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, 0.7 seconds ahead of the Mercedes-Benz GLS. Its 580-litre boot also exceeds the GLS’s 355 litres, but the BMW is strictly a five-seater. The GLS answers with seven seats, 362 hp and 500 Nm, plus AIRMATIC air suspension and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go. For Malaysian families needing three rows and rear-seat entertainment, the larger Mercedes justifies closer inspection; the BMW is the sharper five-seat choice.
Pick the BMW X6 if you want the quicker 5.4-second SUV, a 580-litre boot and substantially lower entry cost in a more compact five-seat package.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLS if seven seats, 500 Nm, air suspension and comprehensive rear-passenger equipment matter more than price and outright acceleration.
Key differences
- Performance: BMW X6 335 hp and 450 Nm versus Mercedes-Benz GLS 362 hp and 500 Nm.
- Acceleration: BMW X6 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds versus Mercedes-Benz GLS in 6.1 seconds.
- Seating: BMW X6 has 5 seats versus Mercedes-Benz GLS with 7 seats.
- Boot space: BMW X6 has 580 litres versus Mercedes-Benz GLS with 355 litres.
- Size: BMW X6 is 4,960 mm long on a 2,975 mm wheelbase versus Mercedes-Benz GLS at 5,207 mm and 3,135 mm.
- Warranty: BMW X6 has a 2-year manufacturer warranty plus 3-year extended warranty versus Mercedes-Benz GLS with a 4-year manufacturer warranty.
X6
- 0-100 km/h takes 5.4 seconds, 0.7 seconds quicker.
- 580-litre boot is 225 litres larger.
- RM264,088 lower purchase price.
- Only five seats against the GLS’s seven.
- 335 hp and 450 Nm trail the GLS’s 362 hp and 500 Nm.
- Passive cruise control lacks the GLS’s adaptive stop-and-go system.
GLS
- Seven seats with a sliding second row and folding third row.
- AIRMATIC air suspension with adaptive damping.
- Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go.
- RM264,088 more expensive.
- 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.7 seconds slower.
- 355-litre boot is 225 litres smaller.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM735,800✓ | RM999,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,637✓ | RM1,638 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift with Mild Hybrid Assistance | 24-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin turbochargers and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 335 hp at 5,500 rpm | 362 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 450 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 500 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 12 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 200 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic Sport | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,960 mm | 5,207 mm |
| Width | 2,004 mm | 2,157 mm |
| Height | 1,700 mm | 1,823 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm | 3,135 mm |
| Weight | 2,240 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 83 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 580 litres✓ | 355 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R22 | 285/45R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/30R22 | 285/45R22 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United States (CBU) | United States (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 22" M Light Alloy Wheels V-Spoke Style 747 M | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 22" M Light Alloy Wheels V-Spoke Style 747 M | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, PRE-SAFE Brake, Full Auto Brake |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Multibeam LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar | Power Adjustable Front Sports Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades | Powered Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.3" MBUX, COMAND Controller, Touchpad, Burmester Sound System with 13 Speakers (590W) and rear seat individual entertainment system, including two 11.6-inch monitors with wireless headphones, rear center armrest control/USB/audio interface |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Surround View | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Yes | Soft Close Function, All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used X6 & GLS for sale
X6 vs GLS FAQ
Is the BMW X6 or Mercedes-Benz GLS better?
The BMW X6 is better for a faster, lower-cost five-seat SUV with more boot space. Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLS for seven seats, stronger 362 hp and 500 Nm outputs, air suspension and adaptive cruise control.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS costs RM264,088 more than the BMW X6. That gap brings seven seats, AIRMATIC air suspension, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and rear-seat entertainment with two 11.6-inch monitors.
Which SUV is more practical for a family?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is the family choice because it has seven seats, a sliding second row, a folding third row, six power sockets and cup holders for all three seating rows. The BMW X6 has five seats but a larger 580-litre boot.
