BMW XM vs Mercedes-Benz G-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class scores higher, 65 vs 58
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 27 Sep 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
BMW XM
26 of 27 standard · no option data · 1 no dataFrom
$309,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Plug-in Hybrid
- Engine
- Plug-in Hybrid
- Power
- 550kW
- Economy
- 12.8 L/100km as a hybrid
- Safety
- ANCAP hasn't rated this model
- Boot (seats up)
- 527L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 no dataFrom
$214,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Diesel
- Engine
- Diesel
- Power
- 270kW
- Economy
- 8.7 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 480L
Top CarSorted Score, 65 vs 58
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
BMW XM: we're still completing kerb weight, electric range and energy consumption.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$309,900RRP
- with the Mercedes-Benz G-Class's standard kit: $309,900 (nothing to add)
$214,900RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
A plug-in hybrid is compared on its fuel use as a hybrid (battery depleted), the figure that is like for like with the other car; its certified combined figure, which assumes every trip starts with a full battery, is printed under it. Electric range is how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Price and cost per week
BMW XM Label
$309,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $1,410 a week in repayments ($309,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class G450d
$214,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $971 a week in repayments ($214,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class starts $95,000 lower on RRP.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
CarSorted
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$971/wk(≈$4,206/mo)
Estimate on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class at $214,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW XMDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the BMW XM. ANCAP's published record does not give the Mercedes-Benz G-Class a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 8 of 10 key systems on the BMW XM and 7 on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW XM
- REC-005906 · published 5 Mar 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, signal interference may occur within the electronics of the brake system.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- REC-006071 · published 3 Sep 2024The jack provided with the vehicle may not include a base plate.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2023
- REC-005747 · published 8 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the fuel delivery unit may fail causing the fuel pump to switch off.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-005667 · published 4 May 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the front axle wiring harness may come in contact with the oil cooler.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2022
- 10 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
25.7kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW XM features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz G-Class gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW XM stands out with panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Bowers & Wilkins audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class counters with Burmester audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW XM gets merino leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz G-Class offers nappa leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the BMW XM and 3-zone in the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW XM uses a Plug-in Hybrid producing 550kW and 1000Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class responds with a Diesel making 270kW and 750Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds.
The BMW XM has the clear power advantage at 550kW vs 270kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW XM is 2.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW XM measures 5,110mm long on a 3,105mm wheelbase, 285mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz G-Class at 4,825mm (2,890mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW XM generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 527L in the BMW XM and 480L in the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, giving the BMW XM a 47L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,700kg. That 800kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the BMW XM's turning circle is 1.6 m tighter, 11.4 m against 13.0 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the BMW XM costs about $3,648 a year (12.8 L/100km as a hybrid) and fuel for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class about $2,480 a year (8.7 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $1,168 a year less for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. A plug-in hybrid is costed running as a hybrid (battery depleted); charged daily, it uses less fuel and some electricity.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW XM) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz G-Class).
Where each one leads
The BMW XM: more power (550kW against 270kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (527L against 480L).
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class: the lower starting price ($214,900 against $309,900), the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 2,700kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,480 a year against $3,648).
The Verdict
Mercedes-Benz G-Class scores higher, 65 vs 58
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class scores 65 to the BMW XM's 58 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Mercedes-Benz G-Class ahead by 37 points), performance (BMW XM ahead by 18 points), value (Mercedes-Benz G-Class ahead by 8 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class costs about $1,168 less (8.7 L/100km against 12.8 L/100km as a hybrid, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 527L in the BMW XM, 480L in the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$971/wk(≈$4,206/mo)
Estimate on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class at $214,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW XMDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW XM and Mercedes-Benz G-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is the cheapest at $214,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW XM by $95,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class uses the least fuel at 8.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and ANCAP's published ratings include no record for BMW XM, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW XM has the largest boot at 527L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW XM makes the most power at 550kW. The BMW XM is quickest to 100km/h in 3.8s.
Track the BMW XM & Mercedes-Benz G-Class
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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