MB500

Trying to poll the opinions of GLS owners. If you were given a choice to buy a 3 year-old GLS550 for $70k or go with a brand new Tesla Model Y Long Range, which one would you choose?

Let's assume that charging the Tesla is not an issue and you live in an area full of superchargers and your home has a solar system meaning that you can charge overnight at $0 cost. With Tesla model Y you get a 4x4 (dual motors), 300 miles of real world range, 50,000 miles warranty, free software upgrades, no maintenance such as oil changes, transmission fluid changes.

With Mercedes, you get the perks of paying $4+ per gallon, luxurious and highly appointed car, a three star badge on the hood and spending thousands in maintenance and repairs.

Which option would you go with?

BlownV8

Anotherone posted the above this week. For me, it would depend on distance of travel and if you had another vehicle for long distance trips. Electric would not work for me so I would buy the MB.

clarkpittman

You've clearly already made up your mind and I think you're exactly the kind of person who needs a Tesla. You have our permission to buy the Model Y.

DBMC

My next vehicle will be electric or hybrid, maybe not a Tesla, but I love my 2017 GLS550.
BTW - I bought it last year and I didn't pay anywhere close to $70k for it.
The look & feel and the sound (lack of) of a Tesla is nothing like a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc... but it is ultimately a matter of taste and how one wants to spend discretionary budget.

BlownV8

Electric just doesn't work for my driving 100% of the time. I have trips that exceed 500 miles and I like to get there as fast as possible. Charging up half way through is a deal killer for me. It could add an hour or more to already long days. If /when they can ever figure out a way to break 500 plus miles, have multiple chargers at every gas station, and a charge that takes 3 to 5 minutes, I'll be in then.

chassis

GLS without question.

What if you want to drive to AZ, NM or CO, spending 10-12 hours on the road for 2-3 consecutive days, stay at a place in the mountains (no charger) and drive in the mountains at 30 degrees ambient temp, or lower, for 5 days. Then return home on the road 10-12 hours per day for 2-3 consecutive days?

And do it in style, comfort and hauling tons of people or junk (personal belongings) in the vehicle?

No electric vehicle can do that.

OnlyGerman

You will be severely disappointed in the overall quality of the Y coming from many Benzes...But you won't miss filling up!

MB500

I am 100% with you. Looking at the beautiful body lines of GLS550, having the smell of the real leather inside, driving on air suspension, experiencing massaging seats while listening to B&O sound system is truly amazing. I drove Model Y Performance and, although I was blown away by its acceleration and instant torque, I was really questioning the price tag of the car given how spartan it was inside. But on the other hand, these Teslas hold their values like no other cars (pre-owned ones sell for more than new ones) and not having to spend $100+ at the gas pump to drive 350 miles really makes one look at the economics of owning a GLS. And I am not even factoring in the maintenance and repair costs that, as we all know here, can be astronomical. I am truly torn.

chassis

So you are basing the decision on economics, not vehicle use case, correct?

MB500

Correct. I live in CA where charging stations are all over the place and I also have solar panels at my residence. Range should not be a problem with the car even during road trips. I am just a bit tired of paying ridiculous California prices for gas (highest in the nation) when other options available. I have been a loyal MB fan for the last 20 years but the cost of owning and maintaining these cars starts making less sense as Tesla is literally taking over California consumer car market.

John CC

And who said government coercion doesn't work?

So, why would you consider the 550 if the Tesla meets the needs of your mission? (BTW, the X167 series is a lot more fuel efficient, if you want to stick with the big boy).

C280 Sport

GLS550 for me. Quality and comfort along with real leather and attention to detail. Tesla wins for acceleration of course. That is where it ends for me. If you can afford either one of these paying for gas is not a issue unless you something like 50k miles a year lol.

chassis

If a person drives 50k miles per year a BEV would not be able to serve the need. Driving 50k miles per year requires frequent very long trips, many of them back to back on consecutive days. This is one of the many Achilles heels of BEVs. In the 50k miles per year scenario, fuel cost is of no concern because only an ICE vehicle can meet this need.

Davidpsalt

Great Question - I am in the very same boat. My sister and her husband are in Orange County - Seal Beach area. They have owned a Model S for 6 years (two 3 year leases) and they have loved it. No gas pumps, no oil changes, no brake jobs, no trans fluid fluch, coolant flush etc. Oh, and no Dealers with their hands out everytime you have to go in. I am sold on going EV - because my use case is for a nice business car for around town no more than 300 miles in any direction. We have the Cadillac Escalade ESV for trips with the kids. I just dont want a Tesla. I came close to buying the Porsche Taycan - but more than I want to spend. Looked at the Audi ETRON, but lots of issues and range is under 200 miles. So I am buying a used 2019 GLS 550 for the next year or so and see what else if available in 2023/2024. China is going to hit the US shores the way the Japanese did back in the 70's when OPEC formed and we had the gas crisis - Honda, Toyota, Datsun - all showed up with fuel efficient cars and Detroit go caught flat footed or just plain didnt give a woop. Same is going to happen with China and others - Polestar, etc. I'm all in on electric - may Mercedes Benz will have more options that their current $110,000 entry to the Market.

Boraxo

The GLS is the best vehicle I have ever purchased. Tesla products are POS as the latest consumer reports demonstrate. I saw many stranded and spinning out in the last snow storm. Not to mention those batteries don’t work for long distance trips.

Get the tesla for commuting if you require one. Not for interstate travel.

joecparrish

I own a GLS63 and a Tesla Model S, and have also owned a Tesla Model X — which I think is the more comparable vehicle to the GLS than is the Model Y. (I would say that the Model Y is more comparable to the GLE.)

It’s really a matter of your use case. If you’re carrying 5 passengers or fewer and doing trips of less than 250 miles, the Tesla is a delightful vehicle. If you need to carry 6+ passengers and/or lots of cargo and/or need long range, then the GLS wins out. And there’s no denying that the GLS is more luxurious.

That being said, I actually think the range issue is highly overblown. Superchargers are ubiquitous—at least in my part of the country—and no one seems to ever tally the amount of time people spend at gas stations (not to mention the cost) versus at-home charging that gives you a full “tank” at the beginning of every day. FWIW, with gas in CA north of $5/gal, our GLS sits in the garage and we drive the Tesla whenever possible,

—Joe

Jt0230

You can't compare both vehicles. They are not a the same level. If you are worried about fuel and super chargers are readily available go with the Tesla. If you rather have comfort and quality go with the GLS. For example, I love tesla's but their interior material is crap, and their fit and finish is very poor. We went through the same thought process as you did, but once we drove the GLS there was no going back. We weren't to worried about the gas mileage, and we wanted comfort so we went with the GLS.

NewCents05

I own both a 15 gl350 and a 21 model y lr. I will keep the GL as my workhorse as its a lot of SUV that has tons of cargo space. Ride quality is fantastic on roadtrips with the GL and is leagues better than the tesla. The model Y has an extremely harsh ride regardless of what wheels you put on it. Ideally I would prefer a ride quality similar to a Mazda CX5 where its both sporty and comfortable but the Tesla has suspension that feels like a lowered civic. I cant argue though that driving the tesla feels like the future... no expensive upkeep or maintenance, instant on without having to warm up oils and such for engine and transmission and of course that instant torque is addicting. Lots of small ingenious ideas that make it a better daily driver. no car keys, always recording dash cams, remote climate control functions, and tons of cargo space as well. I basically haven't used the actually trunk that much as all my groceries fit in the sub trunk under the load floor which keeps things from tossing around. then you also have the plastic lined frunk for dirty items. all in all its a great use of space. It does feel "cheap" in comparison to the gl though. Like you can tell it didnt cost them that much to make in manufacturing. Basically a glorified golf cart with comfy seats and an ipad. Also these updates are a blessing and curse. Almost every year they have been changing out the interface of the ui that you spent the last year building up the muscle memory to figure out where things are in a touchscreen only system. This is extremely annoying and it seems like every other update they break something that wasnt broken before so youre just rolling the dice when youre forced to update (you void your warranty if you dont update). While it keeps things fresh, its also annoying, but its still leagues ahead of almost everyone else.

I love both of them. I wont be getting rid of the GL any time soon (partly because its depreciated so much that Id rather not) but also that its nice having a large suv for those times I need it. Also air suspension is pretty awesome and the ride quality is leagues better than the teslas. I installed carplay into mine so software wise it feels modern. And overall luxury and refinement is better in the gl
If it were my money though, as much as I love the x166 platform, they depreciate pretty quickly. Tesla on the other hand seems to be holding their value many years later. The model y wont depreciate nearly as much as the gls so when you go to resell it, youll recoup more out of the tesla.

MacMP

Tesla could gift me any model, and I would immediately sell it to someone else. In other words, you couldn’t pay me enough to own any EV at this time in history.

Aside from the other drawbacks mentioned, it seems a lot people either forget, or do not realize, how antiquated and vulnerable the Electrical Grid system is all over the United States. What good is your free charging when there is no electricity?

Maybe, when the day comes that an EV has an at least a 1,000 mile range at 85+ mph, and/or has the ability to continuously recharge through solar roof/hood/trunk, etc, then maybe I would consider an EV.

Until then, ICE is for me: and preferably a big block V8 from the 1970’s without computers, nanny systems, and GPS tracking.

To each their own.

NewCents05

If theres no electricity, how exactly do you plan on pumping gas? Maybe you can find a payphone to call the nearest gas station with a hand pump?

joecparrish

@MacMP, I think you're the perfect candidate for rooftop solar, on-site battery storage (e.g., Tesla Powerwall), and a Tesla (or other pure EV).

MacMP

I always have at least a 1/2 tank in my car. In this GLS, that gets me several grids over before I run empty.

Anyway, again, to each their own. EV not for me.

MacMP

Solar for my house and pool. No EV.

Dreamzz2004

I have 2021 GLS 580 and 2020 Model Y. Have leased 2015 GL 450 and 2018 GLS 450 before purchasing the 2021 GLS 580.
I agree with other people that they are very different cars and are not comparable.
My wife uses the Model Y and we often take it for anything within 200 miles roundtrip. The comfort, ride quality, storage and convenience is not there for longer roadtrips.
I hate the suspension on the Y and don't want to make any aftermarket changes.
Range anxiety is another thing and I just don't want to deal with that on long road trips.
The fit and finish (paint, panel gaps) are just not there with the Tesla and we will probably be looking at other EV manufacturers next time.

NewCents05

yep I agree the comfort vs x166 isn’t there. There is a surprising amount of storage though with the frunk and subtrunk. I have a pop up Mercedes’ basket for the x166 and leave the third row up when I go grocery shopping so things don’t slosh around but the sub trunk on the tesla is super convenient for groceries. Keeps everything in place without a bunch of sliding around.

I have an r1s order expected to be delivered q1 2023 that I will be replacing my gl with but I’ll have to see what tesla does with these new batteries on the Y. If they offer some million mile lifespan I’ll have to rebuy just for that tech.