2027 Infiniti QX80 vs Mercedes-Benz GLS: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the GLS — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–2 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (41.3% vs 26.8%) and more available power (603 hp vs 450 hp). Choose the QX80 if you tow (8,500 lb vs 7,700 lb max).
Scorecard: QX80 2 pts · GLS 2.5 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 QX80 | 2027 GLS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $85,590 | — | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 26.8% | 41.3% | GLS |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 18 mpg | — | No data |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 450 hp | 603 hp | GLS |
| Max towing (1) | 8,500 lb | 7,700 lb | QX80 |
| Standard seats (1) | 7 | 6 | QX80 |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 4 | — | No data |
| Weighted points | 2 | 2.5 | GLS |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Family. Families: the QX80 — 7 vs 6 (standard seats).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the GLS — 41.3% vs 26.8% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the QX80 — 8,500 lb vs 7,700 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- QX80: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- GLS: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: QX80 2016 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 QX80 | 2027 GLS | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $85,590 | — |
| Top-trim MSRP | $112,990 | — |
| Horsepower | 450 hp | 375–603 hp |
| Max torque | 516 lb-ft | 627 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 17–18 mpg | — |
| Max towing | 8,500 lb | 7,700 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 7 / 8 | 6 / 7 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) QX80 lists for a median $28,826 — 26.8% of today's median new price of $107,585. A 5-year-old (2021) GLS lists for a median $41,491 — 41.3% of today's median new price of $100,483.
Shop both
- See 4,565 new 2027 INFINITI QX80s for sale →Median listed price $96,215 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See 3,880 new 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS for sale →Median listed price $103,534 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
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More on the Infiniti QX80
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the QX80 better than the GLS?
On our data, no — the GLS comes out ahead. Our pick: the GLS — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–2 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (41.3% vs 26.8%) and more available power (603 hp vs 450 hp). Choose the QX80 if you tow (8,500 lb vs 7,700 lb max).
Which is more reliable, the QX80 or the GLS?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the QX80 or the GLS?
The GLS: a 5-year-old example lists for 41.3% of the new price, versus 26.8% for the QX80, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the QX80 or the GLS?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the QX80 or the GLS?
EPA ratings aren't on file for both models.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Infiniti QX80 vs Mercedes-Benz GLS: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/infiniti-qx80-vs-mercedes-benz-gls, updated November 8, 2026.