Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Peugeot 2008

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mercedes' large SUV on the MHA platform.

Peugeot 2008

Peugeot’s compact crossover SUV.

First car

Second car

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

Pick this one if…

Peugeot 2008

Pick the 2008 for a compact, stylish crossover with an efficient and wide powertrain range.

Best engine: The 1.2 PureTech/Hybrid (petrol) or 1.5 BlueHDi (diesel) — post-2023.

Read the full guide

Performance

M256 GLE 450 · Petrol vs 1.2 PureTech 130 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Peugeot 2008
Power	367 hp Winner	130 hp
Torque	500 Nm Winner	230 Nm
0–100 km/h	5,7 s Winner	9,1 s
Top speed	250 km/h Winner	205 km/h
Power-to-weight	164,2 hp/t Winner	110,2 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	220 g/km	115 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	9,3 L/100km	5,3 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Peugeot 2008
Boot	630 L Winner	434 L
Boot (seats folded)	2.055 L Winner	1.467 L
Wheelbase	3,00 m Winner	2,61 m
Length	4,92 m	4,30 m
Width	1,95 m	1,77 m
Height	1,80 m	1,53 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Peugeot 2008
Platform	MHA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the GLS)	PF1 (A94) · CMP (P24)
Drive	All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid	1.2 PureTech · 1.6 VTi · 1.5 BlueHDi · 1.2 Hybrid · e-2008
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Electric
Transmission	9G-TRONIC automatic	5/6-speed manual · EAT6/EAT8 automatic · e-DSC6
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	Euro 5/6 (A94) · Euro 6/6d (P24) · N/A (e-2008)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6/6d petrol/diesel and the e-2008 allowed in the LEZ

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

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)

Peugeot 2008

1.2 PureTech: wet timing belt (until ~2022–23)
1.5 BlueHDi: AdBlue and chain on early units
1.6 HDi (early A94): DPF/EGR and turbo

Pros

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

Peugeot 2008

Attractive design and i-Cockpit
Efficient, wide engine range (up to e-2008)
Compact and agile in town

Cons

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

Peugeot 2008

Rear seat tight for the class
Boot smaller than larger SUVs

Driving experience

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.

Peugeot 2008

The P24 is a 208 on stilts, and it drives with the same light, easy manners. Built on the CMP platform shared with the 208 and Corsa, it keeps mass low, so the front axle responds keenly and the raised body adds visibility without turning the ride busy. The small i-Cockpit wheel and high digital dials need a short acclimatisation, then the steering feels quick and accurate while body roll stays controlled. Most versions use a comfort-tuned rear that absorbs broken tarmac well, though big wheels and firmer specs add some fidget. The 1.2 PureTech 130 is eager, the e-2008 is near-silent and instantly responsive, and the EAT8 automatic shifts without fuss. It is an easy, practical crossover, not a sporty one.