BMW X3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
BMW X3
BMW’s mid-size premium SUV.
VS
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Mercedes' large SUV on the MHA platform.
First car
Second car
Pick this one if…
BMW X3
Pick the X3 for sharp handling, a big boot and strong engines in a premium mid-size SUV.
Best engine: The 20i (petrol) or 20d (diesel).
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
B48 20i · Petrol vs M256 GLE 450 · Petrol
| BMW X3 | Mercedes-Benz GLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Power |
184 hp
|
367 hp
Winner
|
| Torque |
290 Nm
|
500 Nm
Winner
|
| 0–100 km/h |
8,3 s
|
5,7 s
Winner
|
| Top speed |
215 km/h
|
250 km/h
Winner
|
| Power-to-weight |
105,4 hp/t
|
164,2 hp/t
Winner
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
154 g/km
Winner
|
220 g/km
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
6,8 L/100km
Winner
|
9,3 L/100km
|
Dimensions & space
| BMW X3 | Mercedes-Benz GLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
550 L
|
630 L
Winner
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
1.600 L
|
2.055 L
Winner
|
| Wheelbase |
2,86 m
|
3,00 m
Winner
|
| Length |
4,71 m
|
4,92 m
|
| Width |
1,89 m
|
1,95 m
|
| Height |
1,68 m
|
1,80 m
|
| Seats |
5
|
5
|
Powertrain & tech
| BMW X3 | Mercedes-Benz GLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | CLAR (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the 5 Series) | MHA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the GLS) |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Engine family | B48 petrol · B47 diesel · plug-in hybrid | M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid |
| Fuel | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic (ZF) | 9G-TRONIC automatic |
| Euro standard | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) |
| LEZ access | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) |
Reliability & watch-outs
Known issues
BMW X3
- EGR cooler can leak on B47 diesels
- Transfer case (xDrive) judder on early cars
- Adaptive dampers need checking at high mileage
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 X3
- Rear-drive base gives sharp handling
- Big boot (550 l) & roomy rear seat
- Strong, efficient B-series 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 X3
- Firm ride on M Sport suspension (run-flat)
- Pricier than most rivals
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
Compare specific generations
Belgian taxes & LEZ
Region
Fuel
Euro norm
First registration
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For sale at dealers
BMW X3
44 for sale · from € 6.950
Mercedes-Benz GLE
29 for sale · from € 29.950
Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 electric · Panoramic roof · 360° camera · CarPlay
€ 59.900
Auto's Basile - Kuurne motors
Auto's Basile - Kuurne motors
Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 plug-in hybrid · AMG · 360° camera · CarPlay · Navigati…
€ 57.990
Garage Carrera Cars
Garage Carrera Cars
Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC · plug-in hybrid · Camera · CarPlay · LED
€ 55.540
Falcomotive
Falcomotive
Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 plug-in hybrid · AMG · 360° camera · CarPlay · LED
€ 48.940
Garage Auto-Elektro Peeters
Garage Auto-Elektro Peeters
