Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2015 Volvo XC60 VS 2015 Mercedes M-Class Near Scottsdale, AZ

Both the XC60 and M-Class have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC60 w/Child Booster Seats offers power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The M-Class’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Volvo XC60 offers optional built in child booster seats. They’re more crash worthy than an added child seat because of their direct attachment to the seat. Mercedes doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the M-Class. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; XC60 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

The XC60 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The M-Class doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To help make backing safer, the XC60’s optional cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The M-Class doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the XC60 and the M-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volvo XC60 is safer than the Mercedes M-Class:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The XC60’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than the M-Class’ (10/100,000 vs. 4/50,000).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC60 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the M-Class.

There are over 12 percent more Volvo dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the XC60’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the XC60’s reliability will be 30% better than the Mercedes M-Class V6 Gas and 126% better than the Mercedes M-Class Diesel.

On the EPA test cycle the XC60 gets better fuel mileage than the M-Class:

Regenerative brakes improve the XC60’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The M-Class doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volvo XC60 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on XC60 T5 for maximum performance). The M-Class requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The XC60 stops much shorter than the M-Class:

The XC60 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the ML350 4MATIC (27.3 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the XC60 has a 3.86 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the M-Class (9.1 vs. 5.24 inches), allowing the XC60 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Volvo XC60 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 650 pounds less than the Mercedes M-Class.

The XC60 is 6.3 inches shorter than the M-Class, making the XC60 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The XC60 has .2 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front legroom and 1 inch more rear headroom than the M-Class.

The XC60 offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The M-Class doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC60 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The M-Class doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC60 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the M-Class only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the XC60’s headlight performance “Fair,” a higher rating than the M-Class’ headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

Insurance will cost less for the XC60 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the XC60 will cost $1350 to $2730 less than the M-Class over a five-year period.

The XC60 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Intellichoice estimates that the XC60 will retain 53.04% to 54.07% of its original price after five years, while the M-Class only retains 44.21% to 48.53%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the XC60 is less expensive to operate than the M-Class because it costs $1215 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the XC60 than the M-Class, including $246 less for a water pump, $239 less for an alternator, $39 less for front brake pads, $430 less for a starter, $449 less for fuel injection, $1042 less for front struts, $1129 less for a timing belt/chain and $925 less for a power steering pump.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volvo XC60 will be $14239 to $21622 less than for the Mercedes M-Class.

The Volvo XC60 has won recognition from these important consumer publications: