Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Volkswagen Taigo

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mercedes' large SUV on the MHA platform.

Volkswagen Taigo

Volkswagen’s compact coupé crossover.

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 Taigo

Pick the Taigo for a stylish coupé crossover with low running costs and city-friendly dimensions.

Best engine: The 1.0 TSI (110 hp) or 1.5 TSI (150 hp).

Read the full guide

Performance

M256 GLE 450 · Petrol vs 1.0 TSI 110 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Volkswagen Taigo
Power	367 hp Winner	110 hp
Torque	500 Nm Winner	200 Nm
0–100 km/h	5,7 s Winner	10,5 s
Top speed	250 km/h Winner	191 km/h
Power-to-weight	164,2 hp/t Winner	93,6 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	220 g/km	123 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	9,3 L/100km	5,4 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Volkswagen Taigo
Boot	630 L Winner	440 L
Boot (seats folded)	2.055 L Winner	1.222 L
Wheelbase	3,00 m Winner	2,57 m
Length	4,92 m	4,27 m
Width	1,95 m	1,76 m
Height	1,80 m	1,49 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Volkswagen Taigo
Platform	MHA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the GLS)	MQB A0 (transverse, shared with the Polo/T-Cross)
Drive	All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid	EA211 1.0 TSI · EA211 Evo 1.5 TSI
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol
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 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 Taigo

DQ200 DSG shift quality (dry clutch)
Infotainment glitches on early cars
Plastic water pump/thermostat module

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 Taigo

Coupé design stands apart from the T-Cross
Thrifty 1.0 TSI engines with low CO2
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

Volkswagen Taigo

Less rear headroom due to the sloping roof
No all-wheel drive available

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.

Volkswagen Taigo

Light, easy and aimed squarely at town driving. The Taigo steers quickly and lightly, rides acceptably, and slips through city streets with little effort. The sloping roofline looks good but trims rear headroom, and it is front-wheel drive only. The 1.0 TSI is the sensible choice — smooth and economical — the 1.5 TSI adds useful pace, and the DSG is smooth. It is a style-led small crossover that prioritises looks and ease of use over outright practicality or driving involvement.