2026 BMW X5 vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS:
Safety comparison — crash avoidance & crash test ratings

Side-by-side comparison of standard crash-avoidance technologies and NHTSA/IIHS crash test ratings. Driver assistance and convenience features are covered in the full comparison.

2026 BMW X5
96
MotiveGrid Safety Score
vs
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS
80
MotiveGrid Safety Score
0 advantages for BMW X50 advantages for Mercedes-Benz GLS6 tied featuresFull comparison

Quick take

The BMW X5 leads in overall safety with a MotiveGrid Safety Score of 96 vs 80 — a 16-point gap driven by stronger crash-avoidance features and/or higher NHTSA/IIHS ratings. Both vehicles are evenly matched on the 4 core crash-avoidance technologies. Both vehicles are evenly matched on safety features and crash-test ratings (0–0–6). Refer to the full comparison for cost, powertrain, and livability scores.

Crash avoidance(0–0–4)

(Wins–Losses–Ties for BMW X5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLS)

Crash avoidance comparison: 2026 BMW X5 versus 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS
FeatureBMW X5Mercedes-Benz GLS
Automatic emergency braking
Detects imminent forward collision and applies brakes autonomously to reduce or avoid impact.
 Yes Yes
Forward collision warning
Alerts driver to an impending forward collision with visual and/or audible warnings.
 Yes Yes
Blind spot monitoring
Warns when a vehicle is detected in the blind spot zone, typically with mirror indicators.
 Yes Yes
Rear cross-traffic alert
Alerts to approaching cross-traffic when reversing out of a parking space or driveway.
 Yes Yes

Crash test ratings(0–0–2)

(Wins–Losses–Ties for BMW X5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLS)

Crash test ratings comparison: 2026 BMW X5 versus 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS
FeatureBMW X5Mercedes-Benz GLS
NHTSA overall
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration overall star rating (1–5). Crash test scores for frontal, side, and rollover.
——
IIHS overall
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety top award — Top Safety Pick+ is the highest designation.
Top Safety Pick+—

Data reflects standard equipment at the base MSRP. Optional packages like Ford BlueCruise, GM Super Cruise, and Tesla FSD are not scored (Tesla FSD is the lone curated exception). Crash test data from NHTSA and IIHS. ADAS data verified against manufacturer spec pages.

← Full 2026 BMW X5 vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS comparisonSafety scoring methodology →

See the full BMW X5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLS comparison — all five pillars including cost of ownership, powertrain, driver assistance, and livability:

← Full comparison (all 5 pillars)Safety scoring methodology →Car safety ratings explained →MotiveGrid rankings →