I had a Model X reservation, but did not follow through. Instead I bought a CPO '14 GL450 several months ago. I made the right decision for my situation, but here are some insights I can give.
Cost: I couldn't justify the high MSRP of a new GL/GLS vs. a Model X. The Model X would have ended up being cheaper since I'm going to own it a pretty long time, and that would have really bothered me because it was the car I really wanted. The GL service interval is 10,000 miles, so it's not that many extra planned service visits vs. a Tesla. They are more expensive visits than the MX obviously, but not outrageously so. Fuel cost is going to be the big money differentiation. The GL takes Premium and guzzles. If you get the V6 it's probably a little better, but over enough miles the costs of fuel will still be very far apart.
Tech: No contest, I love the Tesla touchscreen and everything that goes with it. My GL has a small, simplistic system. Really one of the crappier looking setups, but it is functional. The GLS is the same vehicle as the GL with a face lift and Mercedes floating tablet replacing the embedded screen. After I canceled the MX reservation, I decided that every other car sucks so bad in this regard that I'm just going to end up mounting my phone on the dash. So that is what I do.
Performance: Obviously unless you are going GL63, there's no touching the P90 MX. For the '14 year the 450 still has a V8, which I can get a tune to 500hp, 575 lbft when I'm ready. Get Active Curve if you go GLS, people speak very highly of it. I wanted it, but couldn't find it in a GL I liked in time. Mine corners like a barge. I mean not Lexus RX bad, but you know....not good.
3rd Row Space: My current car was high miles, not real large, and I felt on borrowed time. We just had child #2 and know #3 will be in the future, so it made sense to replace my car before #2 arrived. The GL has nice third row seats and actual leg space (looking at you X5). I haven't been in an MX, but based on the specs and shape of the MX you'd likely have to be delusional to say the GL doesn't have more space. It is larger by every measure. Leg room, head room, and way more shoulder room.
Storage: Unless you are going Suburban or some other huge vehicle, there's not much space in the back when the third row is in use. For normal SUVs obviously you can use the roof rack. The MX has the frunk, but I think there's no getting around the roof rack if you have 3+ kids and are traveling. Elon has put out the suction rack over one falcon door, effectively disabling it. Not a great solution, but manageable I guess.
Reliability: This kind of killed it for me. I got to the point in late '15 when I'd very soon need the new car. The MX rollout was bumpy to say the least. I wasn't sure when I was going to get it, and I wasn't in a personal position where I could risk the car not working or needing to go to the service center a lot. The Mercedes dealer is a couple minutes from my office should I need them. If I could have pushed the decision another year or two I may have gone MX.
My wife's small car cannot seat 3 across due to the design. I am pushing Model 3, which hopefully will be available in time. She likes my GL and is interested in an MB of her own. We'll see what wins out down the road.
Cost: I couldn't justify the high MSRP of a new GL/GLS vs. a Model X. The Model X would have ended up being cheaper since I'm going to own it a pretty long time, and that would have really bothered me because it was the car I really wanted. The GL service interval is 10,000 miles, so it's not that many extra planned service visits vs. a Tesla. They are more expensive visits than the MX obviously, but not outrageously so. Fuel cost is going to be the big money differentiation. The GL takes Premium and guzzles. If you get the V6 it's probably a little better, but over enough miles the costs of fuel will still be very far apart.
Tech: No contest, I love the Tesla touchscreen and everything that goes with it. My GL has a small, simplistic system. Really one of the crappier looking setups, but it is functional. The GLS is the same vehicle as the GL with a face lift and Mercedes floating tablet replacing the embedded screen. After I canceled the MX reservation, I decided that every other car sucks so bad in this regard that I'm just going to end up mounting my phone on the dash. So that is what I do.
Performance: Obviously unless you are going GL63, there's no touching the P90 MX. For the '14 year the 450 still has a V8, which I can get a tune to 500hp, 575 lbft when I'm ready. Get Active Curve if you go GLS, people speak very highly of it. I wanted it, but couldn't find it in a GL I liked in time. Mine corners like a barge. I mean not Lexus RX bad, but you know....not good.
3rd Row Space: My current car was high miles, not real large, and I felt on borrowed time. We just had child #2 and know #3 will be in the future, so it made sense to replace my car before #2 arrived. The GL has nice third row seats and actual leg space (looking at you X5). I haven't been in an MX, but based on the specs and shape of the MX you'd likely have to be delusional to say the GL doesn't have more space. It is larger by every measure. Leg room, head room, and way more shoulder room.
Storage: Unless you are going Suburban or some other huge vehicle, there's not much space in the back when the third row is in use. For normal SUVs obviously you can use the roof rack. The MX has the frunk, but I think there's no getting around the roof rack if you have 3+ kids and are traveling. Elon has put out the suction rack over one falcon door, effectively disabling it. Not a great solution, but manageable I guess.
Reliability: This kind of killed it for me. I got to the point in late '15 when I'd very soon need the new car. The MX rollout was bumpy to say the least. I wasn't sure when I was going to get it, and I wasn't in a personal position where I could risk the car not working or needing to go to the service center a lot. The Mercedes dealer is a couple minutes from my office should I need them. If I could have pushed the decision another year or two I may have gone MX.
My wife's small car cannot seat 3 across due to the design. I am pushing Model 3, which hopefully will be available in time. She likes my GL and is interested in an MB of her own. We'll see what wins out down the road.
