2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS exuded a refined elegance that was both timeless and sophisticated. Its exterior, adorned with bright-finish 22-inch AMG rims and a new silver four-louver grille, was complemented by polished metal accents and a striking Twilight Blue paint. Inside, the GLS 450 featured a luxurious Bahia Brown over Black interior with natural-grain Grey Oak trim, polished aluminum accents, and the signature rich detailing of Mercedes interiors. The vehicle offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, providing a smooth and powerful driving experience. The GLS 450 came equipped with the AMG Line and Exclusive Trim Packages, enhancing its aesthetic appeal and comfort, while the Acoustic Comfort Package ensured a serene cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S presented a rugged and utilitarian design, with a black-on-black color scheme that was less than ideal for the tropical climate of Hawaii. Despite its heat-absorbing exterior, the Wrangler's open-air driving experience, with removable overhead panels and liftglass, made it a fitting choice for the island's scenic routes. The Wrangler offered a range of trims, from the basic Sport to the powerful Rubicon 392, with a 470-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine. Our rental Sport S model, priced at $49,175, included a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a black hardtop, and a Convenience Group package. The Wrangler's interior was functional, with a focus on durability and practicality, though it lacked the sophistication and comfort of the GLS.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 delivered an impressive performance with its 375-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, producing 369 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a variable 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, allowed the GLS to accelerate to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. The mild-hybrid system added an instant 148 lb-ft of torque, enhancing the vehicle's responsiveness. The GLS offered a smooth and quiet ride, with driving modes including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual, allowing for tailored vehicle dynamics. Its adaptive air suspension and massive Continental Premium Contact tires contributed to its athleticism, while the Off-Road menu within MBUX provided additional capabilities for adventurous driving.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler, on the other hand, offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, offering a lively performance, especially at higher elevations. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles made it well-suited for off-road adventures. However, its ride was rough, with a steady stream of jiggles and jolts, and its handling was less precise compared to the GLS. The Wrangler's fuel economy was slightly lower, with an average of 19.2 mpg during our evaluation.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a luxurious and spacious interior, with supple leather surfaces, heated and ventilated front seats, and a wide range of adjustments for optimal comfort. The second-row captain's chairs provided excellent thigh support and expansive legroom, while the third-row seat, though snug for adults, was suitable for children. The GLS featured a standard panoramic sunroof and a practical cargo space, with 17.4 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 42.7 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 84.7 cubic feet behind the front seats.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler's interior was more utilitarian, with comfortable front seats and cloth upholstery suitable for any climate. The Wrangler's rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers needed to be cautious of the plastic hooks on the front seatback panels. Storage space was limited, with small bins and flimsy nets for stashing items. Accessing the cargo area was cumbersome, requiring the opening of the tailgate and lifting of the rear window. However, once accessed, the Wrangler offered a square-shaped, 31.7 cubic-foot cargo hold, expandable to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS was equipped with the latest MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system offered improved graphics and intuitive operation, though touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel and center console could cause unintended changes. Despite this, MBUX was praised for its natural voice recognition and augmented reality navigation system, setting a high standard for automotive technology.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was easy to use, even with the roof panels removed, and provided access to Jeep Connect services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot and GPS Trail Logs. The Convenience Group package added a 7-inch digital display and passive entry, enhancing the Wrangler's technological offerings.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with over 20 significant safety features, including advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that could be adjusted through MBUX. The GLS's ADAS provided smooth and subtle operation, enhancing driver confidence and safety. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems performed admirably on various road conditions, with only a single instance of temporary disengagement.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler, starting with the 2024 model, included side curtain airbags as standard equipment. However, most advanced driver assistance systems were optional, with features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available only on higher trims. The Wrangler's crash test ratings were mixed, with a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated the Wrangler as Good for side-impact protection but Marginal for small overlap frontal-impact tests.