Compare the2026 Subaru AscentVS 2025 Mercedes GLS

The Ascent has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The GLS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Subaru Ascent’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mercedes GLS does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Ascent and the GLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Subaru Ascent achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The GLS has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Ascent 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLS. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the GLS ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 66 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ascent’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Ascent’s reliability 20 points higher than the GLS.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ascent second among upper midsize suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The GLS was rated third in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes With 31 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Mercedes.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The GLS doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Ascent gets better mileage than the GLS:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Ascent uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GLS requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Ascent has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The GLS doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Ascent stops shorter than the GLS:

The Subaru Ascent may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 to 1650 pounds less than the Mercedes GLS.

The Ascent is 8.1 inches shorter than the GLS 450, making the Ascent easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Ascent offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the GLS can only carry up to 7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Ascent’s middle and third row seats recline. The GLS’ third row seats don’t recline.

The Ascent’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLS.

A Trailer Stability Assist is standard on the Ascent, using the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the GLS.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 22% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 14th.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Ascent’s exterior PIN entry system. The GLS doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Ascent has a standard rear speed-sensitive intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLS only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Ascent is less expensive to operate than the GLS because typical repairs cost much less on the Ascent than the GLS, including $360 less for a water pump, $485 less for a muffler, $137 less for front brake pads, $137 less for a starter, $356 less for fuel injection, $108 less for a fuel pump, $92 less for a timing belt/chain and $954 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Ascent, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLS isn't recommended.

The Subaru Ascent outsold the Mercedes GLS by almost two to one during 2024.