BMW X2 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE

BMW X2

BMW’s style-focused compact crossover.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mercedes' large SUV on the MHA platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

BMW X2

Pick the X2 for a stylish, agile compact crossover that drives sportier than an average SUV.

Best engine: The sDrive20i/xDrive20i (B48, 192 hp).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Pick the GLE for space, comfort and powerful engines in a large premium SUV.

Best engine: The GLE 300 d / GLE 350 d (diesel) or GLE 450 (petrol) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

sDrive20i · Petrol vs M256 GLE 450 · Petrol

	BMW X2	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Power	192 hp	367 hp Winner
Torque	280 Nm	500 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	7,4 s	5,7 s Winner
Top speed	227 km/h	250 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	118,9 hp/t	164,2 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	146 g/km Winner	220 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	6,4 L/100km Winner	9,3 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	BMW X2	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Boot	470 L	630 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.355 L	2.055 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,67 m	3,00 m Winner
Length	4,36 m	4,92 m
Width	1,82 m	1,95 m
Height	1,51 m	1,80 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	BMW X2	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Platform	UKL2 (shared with X1 F48 and MINI Countryman)	MHA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the GLS)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	All-wheel drive
Engine family	B38 1.5 · B48 2.0 petrol · B37/B47 diesel	M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	7-speed DCT · 8-speed automatic	9G-TRONIC automatic
Euro standard	Euro 6	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)
LEZ access	Euro 6 petrol/diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

BMW X2

Oil-filter housing gasket leaks (B48 petrol)
EGR cooler fire-risk recall (B47 diesel)
Plastic coolant lines and expansion tank

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Early OM654 diesel: rocker arm / camshaft concerns
AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage
9G-TRONIC: fluid changes recommended earlier than official intervals
MBUX/electronics glitches (mostly fixed via updates)

Pros

BMW X2

Agile, sporty handling — more hot hatch than family SUV
Coupe-like, stylish design
Refined B48 petrol engines

Mercedes-Benz GLE

630 L boot growing to ~2,055 L — roomy for a large SUV
GLE 450: 367 hp I6 with EQ Boost (48V) and 500 Nm
OM656 2.9 I6 diesel (GLE 350 d: 272 hp / 600 Nm)
GLE 400 e PHEV: 381 hp and 650 Nm, company-car friendly

Cons

BMW X2

Less practical than the X1: smaller boot and tighter rear headroom
Firm ride, especially on M Sport suspension

Mercedes-Benz GLE

OM654/OM656 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips
PHEV shrinks boot space (~490 L)
Complex air suspension and electronics need dealer maintenance

Driving experience

BMW X2

The F39 is more engaging than a conventional compact SUV. Steering is quick and direct, body control is good, and the car feels agile and planted on twisty roads, especially with M Sport suspension and larger wheels. Ride is firm — acceptable on smooth roads but it can feel busy and thumpy over Belgian cobbles, patched asphalt or motorway expansion joints. The B48 20i is the sweet spot: refined, responsive and willing without being harsh. The 18i is adequate but coarser; the M35i is properly quick and sounds more purposeful. Diesels are strong and refined for the class. Noise levels are good at speed, though wind noise can be noticeable around the A-pillars and mirrors. Overall it drives more like a raised hot hatch than a soft family crossover.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Serene, isolating and quietly opulent. Steering is light and relaxed, the ride hushed and composed, and the GLE smothers rough roads and motorway miles alike. 4MATIC adds unflappable all-weather security without asking anything of the driver. AIRMATIC air suspension, where fitted, glides over poor surfaces with real polish. The M256 inline-six is silky with its 48-volt assist, the OM654/OM656 diesels pull strongly and stay quiet, and the GLE 400 e plug-in glides on electric power. The 9G-Tronic shifts almost imperceptibly. Overall a calm, tech-rich luxury SUV built to isolate, not involve.