Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Renault Austral
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Mercedes' large SUV on the MHA platform.
VS
Renault Austral
Renault’s modern compact 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…
Renault Austral
Pick the Austral for a modern compact SUV with an efficient E-Tech hybrid.
Best engine: The 1.3 TCe (petrol) or E-Tech Full Hybrid 200.
Read the full guide
Performance
M256 GLE 450 · Petrol vs 1.2 E-Tech 200 · Hybrid
| Mercedes-Benz GLE | Renault Austral | |
|---|---|---|
| Power |
367 hp
Winner
|
200 hp
|
| Torque |
500 Nm
|
—
|
| 0–100 km/h |
5,7 s
Winner
|
8,4 s
|
| Top speed |
250 km/h
Winner
|
175 km/h
|
| Power-to-weight |
164,2 hp/t
Winner
|
128,2 hp/t
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
220 g/km
|
108 g/km
Winner
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
9,3 L/100km
|
4,7 L/100km
Winner
|
Dimensions & space
| Mercedes-Benz GLE | Renault Austral | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
630 L
Winner
|
430 L
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
2.055 L
Winner
|
1.525 L
|
| Wheelbase |
3,00 m
Winner
|
2,67 m
|
| Length |
4,92 m
|
4,51 m
|
| Width |
1,95 m
|
1,83 m
|
| Height |
1,80 m
|
1,62 m
|
| Seats |
5
|
5
|
Powertrain & tech
| Mercedes-Benz GLE | Renault Austral | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | MHA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the GLS) | CMF-CD3 |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Engine family | M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid | 1.2 TCe · 1.3 TCe · E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 |
| Fuel | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid | Petrol · Hybrid |
| Transmission | 9G-TRONIC automatic | 6-speed manual · EDC7 · E-Tech automatic |
| Euro standard | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) | Euro 6d |
| LEZ access | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) | Euro 6d 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)
Renault Austral
- Infotainment software needs updates
- Electrical gremlins on early cars
- E-Tech hybrid: 12V battery drain
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
Renault Austral
- Modern interior with a big screen
- Efficient E-Tech Full Hybrid 200
- Roomy, modular boot (430–527 L)
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
Renault Austral
- No diesel offered
- Infotainment takes getting used to
Compare specific generations
Belgian taxes & LEZ
Region
Fuel
Euro norm
First registration
—
—
—
—
—
For sale at dealers
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
