BMW X5 (2014) vs. Mercedes-Benz GL (2014) Specs

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2014 BMW X5 and 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL Specifications

Model Year	2014	2014
Model	BMW X5	Mercedes-Benz GL
Engine	turbocharged 3.0L I6 Diesel DOHC-4v 255 hp@4000 413 lb-ft@1500	turbocharged 3.0L V6 Diesel DOHC-4v 240 hp@3600 455 lb-ft@1600
Transmission	8-speed shiftable automatic	7-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr SUV
			Difference
Wheelbase	115.5 in	121.0 in	-5.5 in
Length	193.2 in	201.6 in	-8.4 in
Width	76.3 in	76.4 in	-0.1 in
Height	69.4 in	72.8 in	-3.4 in
Curb Weight	4930 lb.	5467 lb.	-537 lb.
Fuel Capacity	22.4 gal.	26.4 gal.	-4 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	40.5 in	41.2 in	-0.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	60.5 in	58.5 in	2 in
Legroom, Row 1	40.4 in	40.3 in	0.1 in
Headroom, Row 2	38.8 in	40.0 in	-1.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	58.3 in	58.3 in	0 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.6 in	38.5 in	-1.9 in
Headroom, Row 3	0.0 in	38.9 in	-38.9 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	0.0 in	50.5 in	-50.5 in
Legroom, Row 3	0.0 in	35.0 in	-35 in
Total Legroom	77 in (over 2 rows)	113.8 in (over 3 rows)	-36.8 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	22.9 ft³	16.0 ft³	6.9 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	22.9	49.4 ft³	-26.5
Cargo Volume, Maximum	66.0 ft³	93.8 ft³	-27.8 ft³

2014 BMW X5 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2014	BMW's multicontour seats, a $1,300 option on six-cylinder X5s and standard with the V8, deliver a rarely matched combination of support in turns and comfort on long drives. In a reversal of traditional tendencies, the buckets in the Range Rover Sport feel firmer and less comfortable. Though you'll find a commanding view forward in either driver seat, the Range Rover Sport maintains an edge in this area. Unusually large windows are one thing that makes a Land Rover a Land Rover. see full BMW X5 review

2014 BMW X5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	Audi and Mercedes both offer much longer SUVs. At least until BMW fields an X7, the X5 is available with an optional third-row seat. Especially considering the size and price of the X5, said third row is absurdly tight, thinly upholstered, and difficult to access. The door openings are small, and the entire second row seat pivots forward and upward off the floor in an only partially successful attempt to compensate. To provide even minimal legroom for those using it, the second row must slide forward a few inches, to the point that its occupants find their own legroom severely compromised. Both rows are too low to the floor for adult comfort. The third-row seat optional in the Range Rover Sport probably isn't much better, and deletes the spare tire (not available on the BMW regardless). This might explain why it wasn't on the tested vehicle. If you want a usable third row, Land Rover offers the less stylish, but also much less expensive and roomier LR4. Shift focus to the second-row seat, and I found that in the smaller X3 at least as comfortable, and easier to get into and out of thanks to the more compact vehicle's lower ride height. That in the Range Rover Sport, though also not the roomiest or the most comfortable, is better than the X5's. see full BMW X5 review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2014 BMW X5.

2014 Mercedes-Benz GL Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is just a little longer than the Audi Q7 (201.6 vs. 200.3 inches), and isn't as wide (76.4 vs. 78.1 inches). But the Mercedes is considerably taller (72.8 vs. 68.4 inches) and not nearly as curvy. Which might explain how it is far roomier than the much sleeker Audi. Combined legroom for all three rows is 107.6 inches in the Q7 vs. 113.8 inches in the GL-Class, a large difference. The Q7's space deficit grows the farther back you sit. For adults to even fit in the Audi's third row without extreme discomfort, those in the second row must slide their seats forward to the point that they are themselves short on knee room. While the new GL350's third row sits too low to provide thigh support, it's not nearly as cramped. Further evidence that Audi didn't intend the Q7's third row for frequent use: the second-row seat doesn't do a good job of getting out of the way, making the path in and out of the way-back perhaps the tightest I've experienced. The second-row seat in the GL-Class tips forward to open up a much wider path. If manually tipping the seat is too much of a chore (perhaps because you'e a five-year-old and haven't yet learned to read this), $400 buys a power assist. But even with this option the seat must be manually returned to its upright position, so the point eludes me. see full Mercedes-Benz GL review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL.

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