2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2021 INFINITI QX80

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 showcased a blend of Nissan Armada and Infiniti design elements. Its body-on-frame construction, shared with the Armada, was evident in the roofline profile and rear window curve. The QX80’s front end, however, was distinctly Infiniti, featuring a grille and headlight design introduced in 2018. This gave the SUV an assertive yet not overly aggressive look. Standard features included LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, with 20-inch wheels on the base model and 22-inch wheels on higher trims. Inside, the QX80’s design closely mirrored the Armada, with added luxury touches like wood trim and leather upholstery. However, some elements, such as the foot-operated parking brake, felt less premium.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 had a more subtle and less flashy appearance compared to its competitors. The base model avoided gaudy grilles, while the AMG GLS 63 and Maybach versions offered more visual drama with features like flared wheel arches and chrome accents. The interior of the GLS 450, though basic by GLS standards, still felt luxurious with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were well integrated into the upright dashboard, providing a high-quality feel without being overly fragile.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with a 4WD option available. The V8 engine was responsive, making highway overtaking stress-free, though the transmission shifts could have been smoother. The QX80’s body-on-frame construction, combined with independent suspension and Hydraulic Body Motion Control on Sensory models, provided a comfortable ride, though some shudders were noticeable over bumps. The SUV’s handling in corners was less composed, with significant body roll, but the speed-sensitive power steering helped maintain a relaxed driving style. The QX80 had a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, surpassing the Cadillac Escalade but slightly trailing the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, assisted by the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. This system added 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. The GLS 450’s engine provided ample power, and the electric assist was well integrated. The standard air suspension offered a comfortable ride but exhibited poor body control over bumps and in corners. The GLS 450 had a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which was lower than some competitors. Mercedes was expected to resume production of higher-performance models like the GLS 580 4Matic, AMG GLS 63, and Maybach GLS 600 4Matic, which featured a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came standard with a seven-seat configuration, featuring second-row captain’s chairs and a center console. An eight-seat configuration with a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat was optional. Standard features included a 10-way-adjustable power driver’s seat and an eight-way front passenger’s seat, both with lumbar support. Passenger space was competitive, with ample room in all three rows. Cargo space was 16.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The center console had limited storage space, and the front-door cupholders were not well-shaped for holding drinks.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a standard seven-seat configuration with a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat and two third-row seats. An optional six-seat version replaced the bench with captain’s chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for third-row access, and the bench seat could slide fore and aft as one piece. The GLS provided 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 42.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. The air suspension could lower to facilitate loading and unloading. However, the touchscreen was difficult to reach, and the center console grab handles had no clear purpose.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured the Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system with 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Standard audio was a 13-speaker Bose system, with a 17-speaker system and a Theater Package rear-seat entertainment system available as options. The system included various analog controls, but the user interface was not intuitive. The Smart Rearview Mirror and Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were notable features that enhanced driving ease.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, navigation, and natural-language voice recognition. A 13-speaker Burmester audio system was standard, with a head-up display as an option. The voice recognition system was the easiest to use, while the touchpad controller was overly sensitive. The graphics on both the touchscreen and instrument cluster were impressive, though the navigation system had some reliability issues.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The IIHS had not tested the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, Crosswind Assist, parking assist, and Pre Safe. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, second-row side airbags, and advanced driver-assistance features like Active Steering Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.