Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Volkswagen T-Cross
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Mercedes' large SUV on the MHA platform.
VS
Volkswagen T-Cross
Volkswagen’s compact urban 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…
Volkswagen T-Cross
Pick the T-Cross for an agile urban SUV with a high seat, clever interior packaging and low running costs.
Best engine: The 1.0 TSI (115 hp).
Read the full guide
Performance
M256 GLE 450 · Petrol vs 1.0 TSI 115 · Petrol
| Mercedes-Benz GLE | Volkswagen T-Cross | |
|---|---|---|
| Power |
367 hp
Winner
|
115 hp
|
| Torque |
500 Nm
Winner
|
200 Nm
|
| 0–100 km/h |
5,7 s
Winner
|
10,0 s
|
| Top speed |
250 km/h
Winner
|
193 km/h
|
| Power-to-weight |
164,2 hp/t
Winner
|
96,6 hp/t
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
220 g/km
|
120 g/km
Winner
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
9,3 L/100km
|
5,3 L/100km
Winner
|
Dimensions & space
| Mercedes-Benz GLE | Volkswagen T-Cross | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
630 L
Winner
|
455 L
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
2.055 L
Winner
|
1.281 L
|
| Wheelbase |
3,00 m
Winner
|
2,55 m
|
| Length |
4,92 m
|
4,14 m
|
| Width |
1,95 m
|
1,76 m
|
| Height |
1,80 m
|
1,57 m
|
| Seats |
5
|
5
|
Powertrain & tech
| Mercedes-Benz GLE | Volkswagen T-Cross | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | MHA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the GLS) | MQB A0 (transverse, shared with the Polo/Taigo) |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Engine family | M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid | EA211/EA211 evo 1.0/1.5 TSI · EA288 1.6 TDI |
| Fuel | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid | Petrol · Diesel |
| Transmission | 9G-TRONIC automatic | 5/6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG |
| Euro standard | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) | Euro 6d (all engines) |
| LEZ access | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) | Euro 6d petrol/diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) |
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)
Volkswagen T-Cross
- DQ200 DSG shift quality (dry clutch)
- Timing belt + water pump (EA211)
- Infotainment glitches on early cars
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
Volkswagen T-Cross
- High seating position and good visibility
- Flexible sliding rear bench
- Thrifty 1.0 TSI engines with low CO2
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
Volkswagen T-Cross
- Rear bench tight for three adults
- Pre-facelift interior plainer
Compare specific generations
Belgian taxes & LEZ
Region
Fuel
Euro norm
First registration
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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
Volkswagen T-Cross
28 for sale · from € 11.950
Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI · CarPlay · Leather · Sport seats
€ 12.990
click2move by Declerc
click2move by Declerc
Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI · CarPlay · LED · Adaptive cruise control
€ 19.990
click2move by Declerc
click2move by Declerc
Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI · Camera · CarPlay · Leather
€ 13.995
DR Motors
DR Motors
Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI · 360° camera · CarPlay · Navigation
€ 22.750
Garage Carrera Cars
Garage Carrera Cars
