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Head-to-head

2016 Honda Pilot vs 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class wins clearly, 70.2 to 62.3, on safety, performance. The Honda Pilot is ahead on fuel & range.

F

2016 Honda Pilot

The 2016 Honda Pilot is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Pilot 2WD, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg c…

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F

2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the GL450 4matic, is EPA-rat…

Verdict · default weights

2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Clear win

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class wins clearly, 70.2 to 62.3, on safety, performance. The Honda Pilot is ahead on fuel & range.

Safety2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class leads by 27.8
Fuel & range2016 Honda Pilot leads by 28.5
Performance2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class leads by 22.7
Category · weight2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Classoverall 70.22016 Honda Pilotoverall 62.3
Pricew 4no datano data
Fuel & rangew 371.5100
Safetyw 454.326.5
Space & cargow 2no datano data
Performancew 210077.3
Tech & comfortw 3no datano data
Warrantyw 2no datano data
Overall70.262.3

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: model-level data · Honda Pilot: model-level data. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.

Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
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Specifications side by side

Trim-level specs appear here once the manufacturer's press kit is on file for both vehicles. EPA and NHTSA data are compared above.
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Safety record

NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAP

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Safety Signal39 F
NHTSA overall
Frontal / side / rollover— / — / —
Recalls7 · 1 critical
Owner complaints16 · 1 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained aboutUnspecified (5), Seats (3), Engine (2)

Top recalls

  • criticalSuspension18V272000 · 9,725 vehicles
  • highSteering17V241000 · 58,323 vehicles
  • highAir Bags17V177000 · 51 vehicles
  • highSuspension17V081000 · 37 vehicles
  • highAir Bags16V903000 · 47,799 vehicles
  • highPower Train16V900000 · 48 vehicles

Honda Pilot

Safety Signal35 F
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls8 · 3 critical
Owner complaints1,697 · 23 crashes · 9 fires
Most complained aboutEngine (765), Electrical System (581), Unspecified (290)

Top recalls

  • criticalEngine And Engine Cooling23V751000 · 248,999 vehicles
  • criticalFuel System, Gasoline17V219000 · 136 vehicles
  • criticalFuel System, Gasoline16V417000 · 39 vehicles
  • highStructure26V365000 · 880,514 vehicles
  • highFuel System, Gasoline23V858000 · 2,490,460 vehicles
  • highStructure21V932000 · 724,826 vehicles

Ownership

EPA, manufacturer warranty
Mercedes-Benz GL-ClassHonda Pilot
Price
Price range across trims
PowertrainsGASGAS
EPA configuration comparedGL450 4maticPilot 2WD
Combined mpg / MPGe1923
EPA annual fuel cost$4,100$2,700
EV range
Basic warranty
Powertrain warranty
Roadside assistance

Common questions

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Which is better, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class or the 2016 Honda Pilot?

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class wins clearly, 70.2 to 62.3, on safety, performance. The Honda Pilot is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class scores 70.2 and the 2016 Honda Pilot 62.3. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.

Which has the better safety record, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class or the 2016 Honda Pilot?

2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: no NHTSA rating yet, grade F, 7 recalls. 2016 Honda Pilot: 5 NHTSA stars, grade F, 8 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.