Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Renault Kadjar

Mercedes-Benz GLE
Mercedes' large SUV on the MHA platform.
VS

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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