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Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Renault Kadjar

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mercedes' large SUV on the MHA platform.

VS
Renault Kadjar

Renault Kadjar

Renault’s roomy, comfortable 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 Kadjar

Pick the Kadjar for a roomy, comfortable compact SUV with an affordable used supply.

Best engine: The 1.3 TCe (petrol) or 1.5 Blue dCi (diesel).
Read the full guide

Performance

M256 GLE 450 · Petrol vs 1.3 TCe 140 · Petrol

Mercedes-Benz GLE Renault Kadjar
Power
367 hp Winner
140 hp
Torque
500 Nm Winner
240 Nm
0–100 km/h
5,7 s Winner
9,6 s
Top speed
250 km/h Winner
205 km/h
Power-to-weight
164,2 hp/t Winner
100,0 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)
220 g/km
125 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)
9,3 L/100km
5,6 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

Mercedes-Benz GLE Renault Kadjar
Boot
630 L Winner
472 L
Boot (seats folded)
2.055 L Winner
1.478 L
Wheelbase
3,00 m Winner
2,65 m
Length
4,92 m
4,45 m
Width
1,95 m
1,84 m
Height
1,80 m
1,61 m
Seats
5
5

Powertrain & tech

Mercedes-Benz GLE Renault Kadjar
Platform MHA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the GLS) CMF-CD
Drive All-wheel drive Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid 1.2 TCe · 1.3 TCe · 1.6 TCe · 1.5 dCi/Blue dCi · 1.6 dCi · 1.7 Blue dCi
Fuel Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid Petrol · Diesel
Transmission 9G-TRONIC automatic 6-speed manual · EDC6/EDC7 · X-tronic CVT
Euro standard Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) Euro 6 / 6d
LEZ access Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) Euro 6/6d 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 Kadjar
  • 1.2 TCe: timing chain and oil consumption
  • EDC/X-tronic: juddery at low speed
  • Electrical gremlins and R-Link freezes

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 Kadjar
  • Roomy boot and comfortable ride
  • Affordable and plentiful used
  • Efficient 1.5 dCi diesel

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 Kadjar
  • 1.2 TCe (early years) carries chain risk
  • Interior less modern than newer rivals

Compare specific generations

Belgian taxes & LEZ

Region
Fuel
Euro norm
First registration
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For sale at dealers