A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Mercedes-Benz GLS vs Renault Kwid: the short answer
GLS holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Kwid.
Kwid starts ZAR 2,171,382 cheaperGLS from ZAR 2,350,181 · Kwid from ZAR 178,799
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
GLS
Kwid
Maximum Power
GLS270 kW
Kwid50 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
GLS750 Nm
Kwid91 Nm @ 4250 rpm
Engine Size
GLS2989 cc
Kwid999 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
GLS12.3 km/l
Kwid20.4 km/l
Ground Clearance
GLS215 mm
Kwid180 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Mercedes-Benz GLS
GLS 450 d
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
GLS
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Kwid
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
GLS
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Kwid
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Model Introduced Year
2026
2026
Generation
Current South African GLS generation represented by derivative GLS 450 d
Current South Africa Kwid range
Facelift History
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Current South Africa version listed by official source
Facelift Launched Since
Current South African model cycle
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Suv
Hatchback
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Current South African retail range
active
Segment
Premium SUV
Hatchback
Vehicle Type
SUV
Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg
-
736 kg
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Length
5209 mm
3731 mm
Width
1956 mm
1579 mm
Height
1823 mm
1513 mm
Wheelbase
3135 mm
2422 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
215 mm
180 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
220 mm
180 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
28 l
Boot/Cargo Space
355 l
279 l
Kerb Weight
2550 kg
736 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2000 kg
1168 kg
Payload Capacity
750 kg
432 kg
Towing Capacity
2000 kg
0 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
4 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.25 m
4.9 m
Front Headroom
960 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
960 mm
965 mm
Front Legroom
900 mm
1040 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
850 mm
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Engine
2989/L6
1-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
OM656M
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Diesel Mild Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
48V Mild Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2989 cc
999 cc
Cylinders
6
3
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
12
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Common-rail direct injection
Petrol injection
Compression Ratio
15.5:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
82.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
94.3 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
270 kW
50 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
750 Nm
91 Nm @ 4250 rpm
Combined Power
270 kW
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
750 Nm
Not Applicable
Motor Type
48 V integrated starter-generator
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Integrated with transmission / rear axle depending on hybrid system
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
FWD
Transmission
9-Speed Automatic
5-Speed Manual
Top Speed
250 km/h
152 km/h
0-100 km/h
6.1 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
15.0 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Eco, Normal, Sport
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
5000 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
67.9 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
123.6 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
0
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
No
Not Applicable
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Gearbox
9G-TRONIC automatic
Manual
Drivetrain Layout
AWD
FWD
LSD Available
No
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Permanent AWD transfer system
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
9
Not Available
Transmission Type
9G-TRONIC automatic
Manual
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Manual clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Automatic with manual shift mode
Manual
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
0
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
0
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Yes
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
9G-TRONIC automatic
Manual
Low Range Ratio
0
Not Applicable
Low Range
0
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Driven axle configuration: AWD
FWD
Rear Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
9
Not Available
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Claimed Mileage
12.3 km/l
20.4 km/l
City Mileage
12.3 km/l
16.9 km/l
Highway Mileage
12.3 km/l
24.4 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
66 l
28 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro VIb
AdBlue Tank Capacity
23 l
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Yes
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
12.3 km/l
20.4 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
66
28
Combined Driving Range
0
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
0
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
0 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
0 km
Not Applicable
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Airbags
7
Front airbags
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Ventilated disc brakes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Mercedes-Benz model-specific chassis equipment
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Not Available
AEB
Ventilated disc brakes
Not Available
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Ventilated disc brakes
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Not Available
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Ventilated disc brakes
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Park Assist
Yes
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Not Available
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Seat Material
Nappa leather
Fabric or cloth trim
Heated Seats
Front heated seats
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
64-colour ambient lighting
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
Polyurethane / synthetic
60 40 Split Seat
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Manual
Seat Trim
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Fabric
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Climate Control
Multi-zone automatic climate control
Manual / automatic by trim
Power Windows
Yes
Standard
Keyless Entry
KEYLESS-GO
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Not Available
Sunroof
Panoramic sliding sunroof
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Not Available
AC Type
Multi-zone automatic climate control
Manual / automatic by trim
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
620 l
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Infotainment System
MBUX multimedia system
Touchscreen infotainment
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
13
4-6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch digital instrument display
Standard
USB Ports
USB-C ports
Front and rear USB where listed
Infotainment Screen
MBUX multimedia system
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Touchscreen
MBUX multimedia system
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Spec
GLS
Kwid
LED Headlamps
DIGITAL LIGHT / LED headlamps
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
LED daytime running lights
Standard
Fog Lamps
Integrated LED all-weather lighting
Not Available
Roof Rails
Yes
Not Applicable
Exterior Colour Options
Mercedes-Benz model-specific exterior equipment
Official Renault South Africa colours vary by model and dealer stock.
Headlights
DIGITAL LIGHT / LED headlamps
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
Panoramic sliding sunroof
Not Available
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Off-road mode
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
No
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Yes
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
-
180 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
180 mm
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Tyre Size
275/45 R21
165/70 R14
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Drum
Spare Wheel Type
21-inch alloy wheels
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
21
14-inch
Handbrake Type
Ventilated disc brakes
Electronic parking brake
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Front Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
MacPherson strut with lower transverse link
Rear Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
Twist beam suspension with coil spring
Front Track Width
-
Not Available
Rear Track Width
-
Not Available
Spec
GLS
Kwid
CO2 Emissions
206 g/km
118 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Petrol
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Service Plan
5 Years / 100000 km
2 year / 30 000 km
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Ownership Role
Displayed price includes 15% VAT; CO2 tax is separate where listed; five-year/100,000 km service and maintenance plan may be excluded.
entry-value
Price Zar
2350181 ZAR
178799 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
entry-value
Starting Price
2500000
178799
Starting Price Zar
2500000
178799
Spec
GLS
Kwid
Warranty
5 Years / 100000 km
5 Year / 150 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This GLS and Kwid comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: GLS 98 vs Kwid 26.
Efficiency index: GLS 52 vs Kwid 76.
Safety-equipment index: GLS 99 vs Kwid 91.
Practicality index: GLS 67 vs Kwid 52.
Ownership-cover index: GLS not separately scored vs Kwid not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
GLS and Kwid image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
GLS leads by 21 points
GLS holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Kwid.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
GLS
Performance
98/100
Efficiency
52/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
67/100
Kwid
Performance
26/100
Efficiency
76/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
52/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMercedes-Benz GLS
leads the specification evidence index with 81 pts
vs 60 pts for Kwid
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, GLS leads. However, Kwid may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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