Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE W167

Mercedes-Benz GLE

W166 · 2011 – 2019

The ML-Class / first GLE generation.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

W167 · 2018 – 2026

The second-generation GLE on the MHA platform.

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 250 d (diesel) or GLE 350 (petrol) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

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

Performance

M276 GLE 350 · Petrol vs M256 GLE 450 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Power	306 hp	367 hp Winner
Torque	370 Nm	500 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	7,5 s	5,7 s Winner
Top speed	235 km/h	250 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	142,3 hp/t	164,2 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	185 g/km Winner	220 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	7,9 L/100km Winner	9,3 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Boot	690 L Winner	630 L
Boot (seats folded)	2.010 L	2.055 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,92 m	3,00 m Winner
Length	4,82 m	4,92 m
Ground clearance	21,0 cm	20,5 cm
Turning circle	11,8 m Winner	12,0 m
Towing capacity (braked)	3.500 kg	3.500 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Platform	M-Class rear-wheel-drive base	MHA (rear-wheel-drive base)
Drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	All-wheel drive
Engine family	M276/M278 petrol · OM651/OM642 diesel · plug-in hybrid	M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Transmission	7-speed 7G-TRONIC	9-speed 9G-TRONIC
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6	Euro 6d
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Mercedes-Benz GLE

OM651 diesel: timing chain and AdBlue/NOx issues possible
OM642 V6 diesel: oil cooler / intake manifold issues
7G-TRONIC: judder or delayed engagement if fluid is neglected
AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage

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)

Pros

Mercedes-Benz GLE

690 L boot growing to ~2,010 L — roomy for a large SUV
OM651 2.1 diesel (GLE 250 d: 204 hp / 500 Nm) for pulling power
V6/V8 options (GLE 350 / GLE 500) for smooth performance

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

Cons

Mercedes-Benz GLE

OM651/OM642 diesel: timing chain and AdBlue/DPF need checking
7G-TRONIC needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage

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

Driving experience

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Big, comfortable and more truck-like than the GLC. The W166 rides with a soft, absorbent gait, especially on AIRMATIC, steers lightly with little feedback, and feels genuinely large and commanding from behind the wheel. 4MATIC is standard and gives confident traction, though this is a comfort-first car rather than an agile one. The M276 V6 petrol is smooth and strong, the OM642 diesel is the towing and distance workhorse, and the 500 e plug-in covers short trips on electric power. The 7G/9G automatic is smooth. It is a spacious, comfortable large SUV built for comfort, space and towing, not for keen driving.

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.