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BMW X4 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE

BMW X4

BMW X4

BMW’s coupé-SUV (Sports Activity Coupé).

VS
Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mercedes' large SUV on the MHA platform.

First car
Second car
Pick this one if…

BMW X4

Pick the X4 for a more aggressively styled coupé-SUV with xDrive and strong inline-six engines — trading practical space versus the X3.

Best engine: The M40i (B58) or the 30d (B57).
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

M40i · Petrol vs M256 GLE 450 · Petrol

BMW X4 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Power
360 hp
367 hp Winner
Torque
500 Nm
500 Nm
0–100 km/h
4,8 s Winner
5,7 s
Top speed
250 km/h
250 km/h
Power-to-weight
188,0 hp/t Winner
164,2 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)
191 g/km Winner
220 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)
8,2 L/100km Winner
9,3 L/100km

Dimensions & space

BMW X4 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Boot
525 L
630 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)
1.430 L
2.055 L Winner
Wheelbase
2,86 m
3,00 m Winner
Length
4,75 m
4,92 m
Width
1,92 m
1,95 m
Height
1,62 m
1,80 m
Seats
5
5

Powertrain & tech

BMW X4 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Platform F25 (F26) · CLAR (G02) MHA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the GLS)
Drive All-wheel drive All-wheel drive
Engine family N20/N55 · B48/B58 petrol · N47/B47 · B57 diesel M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Fuel Petrol · Diesel Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission 8-speed automatic (ZF) 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 X4
  • N20 timing chain and tensioner (early F26)
  • Oil-filter housing and valve-cover leaks
  • EGR cooler recall (B47/B57 diesel)
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 X4
  • Aggressive coupé-SUV styling with presence
  • Planted xDrive all-wheel drive
  • Strong inline-six engines (B58/B57)
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 X4
  • Sloping roof costs headroom and load volume versus the X3
  • Firm ride, especially on M Sport adaptive 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

Compare specific generations

Belgian taxes & LEZ

Region
Fuel
Euro norm
First registration
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For sale at dealers