Compare the2026 Mercedes G-ClassVS 2026 Volvo XC60

The Mercedes G-Class has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XC60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Mercedes G-Class’ rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Volvo XC60 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the G-Class and the XC60 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Mercedes G-Class weighs 870 to 2863 pounds more than the Volvo XC60. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 36 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the G-Class’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 48 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Volvo.

The G-Class has more powerful engines than the XC60:

As tested in Motor Trend the G 550 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

The G 580 can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 239 miles. The XC60 T8 Extended Range has to start its internal combustion engine after only 35 miles.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the G-Class AMG 63’s fuel efficiency. The XC60 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the G-Class and the XC60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All G-Classs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The G-Class has 7.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC60 (26.4 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes G-Class, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the XC60.

The G-Class AMG 63’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The XC60 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the G-Class’ brake rotors are larger than those on the XC60:

The G-Class stops much shorter than the XC60:

For better traction, the G-Class has larger standard tires than the XC60 (265/60R18 vs. 235/60R18). The G-Class’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC60 (295/40R22 vs. 265/35R22).

The G-Class has a standard full size spare (not available on 580) so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the XC60; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The G-Class AMG 63 offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The XC60 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the G-Class uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The AMG G 63 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the XC60.

The G-Class has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The XC60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The G 580 handles at .84 G’s, while the XC60 T8 Core pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The G 580 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the XC60 B5 Core (26 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the G-Class has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC60 (9.5 vs. 8.5 inches), allowing the G-Class to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The G 580’s minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the XC60 (9.8 vs. 8.5 inches).

The G 550 is 3.4 inches shorter than the XC60, making the G-Class easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The G-Class has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC60 (107 vs. 103).

The G-Class has 3.9 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front hip room, 2.5 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the G-Class’ rear seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The G-Class has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC60 with its rear seat up (37.4 vs. 22.4 cubic feet). The G-Class has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC60 with its rear seat folded (68.6 vs. 63.3 cubic feet).

The G-Class’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC60’s (7000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The G-Class has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the XC60 (1576 vs. 1354 lbs.).

The engine in the G-Class is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The G-Class’ standard easy entry and exit feature raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The G-Class 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 XC60.

The Mercedes G-Class has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Volvo charges extra for Homelink® on the XC60.

The G-Class is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the XC60, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the G-Class offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the XC60.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the G-Class equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The XC60, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Mercedes G-Class empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes G-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XC60.

The G-Class’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.