2025 Buick Enclave vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

The 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and modern aesthetic, drawing inspiration from the compact Envista crossover. Its front end featured slim DRLs and a large, angular grille, giving it a sharp appearance. The side profile was more generic, but the Enclave's overall design was bolder than its predecessor, with fewer creases and a more upright profile. Standard 20-inch wheels on the base and Sport Touring trims, with unique High Gloss Black touches on the latter, added to its appeal. The Avenir trim boasted 22-inch wheels with a special finish. Inside, the Enclave felt modern and premium, with a floating center console and a large curved display. The Sport Touring trim featured perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping, enhancing the interior's upscale feel. However, the limited sunroof availability was a drawback, especially for a near-luxury SUV like the Enclave.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a range of models, from the GLS 450 to the Maybach GLS 600, with prices starting at $91,600. Our GLS 450 test vehicle featured the new Manufaktur Edition Package, adding 21-inch AMG wheels and exclusive paint colors. The interior, similar to the smaller GLE-Class, boasted high-quality materials and detailing. However, body creaks were noticeable on chilly mornings. The GLS 450 came with standard artificial leather upholstery, with options for higher-grade leather and various interior trims. Standard features included ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof. The dual 12.3-inch displays were well-integrated, and the MBUX infotainment system was user-friendly. Despite occasional delays in responsiveness, the GLS 450's powertrain delivered a smooth driving experience, with a tailored feel and solid dynamics.

The 2025 Buick Enclave was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered both front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, with AWD reducing fuel economy from 23 to 21 mpg combined. The Enclave could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Active Noise Cancellation was standard for road noise, but engine noise cancellation was only standard on the top trim. The Enclave's turbo engine was loud and tended to rev more than expected, making the optional engine noise cancellation a worthwhile consideration. The Enclave drove like a full-size vehicle, with loose steering at slower speeds, but this was not a significant issue for its target market.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with mild-hybrid assist, delivering 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The GLS 450 offered acceptable fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, though our test drive yielded 19.4 mpg. The GLS had multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Eco, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual, and a standard Airmatic adaptive suspension. It could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The GLS provided a smooth and refined driving experience, with a quiet cabin and solid dynamics. The turbo-six engine sounded sensational under hard acceleration, and the GLS was easier to manage in urban and suburban settings compared to larger competitors.

The 2025 Buick Enclave offered eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. It featured captain's chairs in the second row, accommodating up to seven passengers. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with heated second-row seats and front-row ventilation available on the Avenir trim. Tri-zone climate control allowed middle-row passengers to manage their own temperature. The Enclave's power-folding third-row seats formed a 60/40 split bench, with a standard AutoSense liftgate providing easy access to the cargo area. With all seats in place, the Enclave offered 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 57.1 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97.5 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS provided standard seven-passenger seating, with a six-passenger configuration featuring second-row captain's chairs as a no-cost option. The GLS was exceptionally comfortable, with a four-zone climate control system and heated and ventilated front seats. Comfort upgrades included massaging seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated and cooled cupholders. The six-passenger configuration offered power-operated and heated second-row captain's chairs with a pass-through to the third row. Legroom was generous, though the seating position was low. The third-row seat provided good thigh support, but entry and exit were challenging. Storage was limited, with a small center armrest bin and shallow door pockets. The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 42.7-48.7 cubic feet with the third row folded and 84.7 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured a large 30-inch curved display integrating the infotainment system and digital gauge cluster. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker Bose Performance system available on the Avenir trim. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-In and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Enclave offered wired charging with two USB ports in each row.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS had dual 12.3-inch displays with the MBUX infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a navigation system with augmented reality, and online music access. A standard Burmester surround-sound system with Dolby Atmos technology was included, with an optional high-end Burmester 3D audio system. Additional options included gesture control, a head-up display, and rear infotainment screens. MBUX was user-friendly, with a digital assistant activated by saying "Hey Mercedes."

The 2025 Buick Enclave came with advanced safety and driver-assistance features, including blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. HD Surround Vision with seven selectable camera views was standard, with nine views available. Adaptive cruise control was standard, and Super Cruise hands-free driving technology was available on all trims. The 2024 Enclave received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and performed well in most IIHS tests.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured nearly 40 safety and driver-assistance systems, including Pre-Safe, Crosswind Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. It had a Car-to-X Communication system and parking assistance features. However, rear-seat side-impact airbags were optional, and the GLS lacked hands-free highway driver-assistance technology. The GLS required active driver participation, with some limitations in its driver-assistance systems.