Compare the2026 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2025 Mercedes GLS

Both the Atlas and the GLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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 all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Volkswagen Atlas has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The GLS has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The Atlas’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the GLS’ (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GLS.

There are over 64 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Atlas’ warranty.

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the GLS’ engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GLS requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas stops shorter than the GLS:

The Atlas SEL 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the GLS 580 pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Volkswagen Atlas may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1250 to 1600 pounds less than the Mercedes GLS.

The Atlas is 4.2 inches shorter than the GLS 450, making the Atlas easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the GLS.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Atlas easier. The Atlas’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the GLS’ liftover is 31.8 inches.

The Atlas’ cargo area is larger than the GLS’ in every dimension:

trailer stability control is standard on the Atlas, using the Electronic Stability 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.

The Atlas has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the GLS.

The Atlas is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GLS doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Atlas is less expensive to operate than the GLS because typical repairs cost less on the Atlas than the GLS, including $55 less for a water pump, $85 less for front brake pads, $55 less for fuel injection, $100 less for a fuel pump, $4 less for front struts and $79 less for a power steering pump.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Mercedes GLS by almost three to one during 2024.