BMW X5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
BMW X5
BMW’s large luxury SUV.
VS
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Mercedes' large SUV on the MHA platform.
First car
Second car
Pick this one if…
BMW X5
Pick the X5 for a luxurious cabin, strong engines and generous space in a large premium SUV.
Best engine: The xDrive30d (diesel) or xDrive40i (petrol).
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
B58 40i · Petrol vs M256 GLE 450 · Petrol
| BMW X5 | Mercedes-Benz GLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Power |
340 hp
|
367 hp
Winner
|
| Torque |
450 Nm
|
500 Nm
Winner
|
| 0–100 km/h |
5,5 s
Winner
|
5,7 s
|
| Top speed |
243 km/h
|
250 km/h
Winner
|
| Power-to-weight |
159,3 hp/t
|
164,2 hp/t
Winner
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
198 g/km
Winner
|
220 g/km
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
8,6 L/100km
Winner
|
9,3 L/100km
|
Dimensions & space
| BMW X5 | Mercedes-Benz GLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
650 L
Winner
|
630 L
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
1.870 L
|
2.055 L
Winner
|
| Wheelbase |
2,98 m
|
3,00 m
Winner
|
| Length |
4,92 m
|
4,92 m
|
| Width |
2,00 m
|
1,95 m
|
| Height |
1,75 m
|
1,80 m
|
| Seats |
5
|
5
|
Powertrain & tech
| BMW X5 | Mercedes-Benz GLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | CLAR (longitudinal engine, rear-wheel-drive base) | MHA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the GLS) |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Engine family | B58 petrol · B57 diesel · PHEV | M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid |
| Fuel | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission | 8-speed Steptronic automatic | 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 X5
- Transfer case (xDrive) needs maintenance
- Air suspension (if fitted)
- Cooling system needs checking
- EGR on diesels
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 X5
- Luxurious, premium interior
- Strong B57/B58 engines
- Light, stiff CLAR body
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 X5
- High running costs
- Air suspension & xDrive upkeep
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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