Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 vs Renault Arkana ARK

Mercedes-Benz GLE

W166 · 2011 – 2019

The ML-Class / first GLE generation.

Renault Arkana

ARK · 2020 – 2026

The Arkana (ARK), a coupé-SUV on the CMF-B 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…

Renault Arkana

Pick the Arkana for a striking coupé-SUV with a roomy boot and an efficient hybrid.

Best engine: The 1.3 TCe (petrol) or E-Tech hybrid.

Read the full guide

Performance

M276 GLE 350 · Petrol vs 1.3 TCe 140 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Renault Arkana
Power	306 hp Winner	140 hp
Torque	370 Nm Winner	260 Nm
0–100 km/h	7,5 s Winner	9,8 s
Top speed	235 km/h Winner	200 km/h
Power-to-weight	142,3 hp/t Winner	105,3 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	185 g/km	132 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	7,9 L/100km	5,8 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Renault Arkana
Boot	690 L Winner	480 L
Boot (seats folded)	2.010 L Winner	1.500 L
Wheelbase	2,92 m Winner	2,72 m
Length	4,82 m	4,57 m
Ground clearance	21,0 cm	—
Turning circle	11,8 m	10,9 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	3.500 kg Winner	750 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Renault Arkana
Platform	M-Class rear-wheel-drive base	CMF-B
Drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	M276/M278 petrol · OM651/OM642 diesel · plug-in hybrid	1.3 TCe mild hybrid · E-Tech Hybrid 145
Transmission	7-speed 7G-TRONIC	6-speed manual · EDC7
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

Renault Arkana

Infotainment: freezes and lag
Electrical gremlins (12V battery)
E-Tech hybrid: 12V battery drain

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

Renault Arkana

Striking coupé design
Roomy boot (480–513 L)
Efficient E-Tech hybrid available

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

Renault Arkana

Sloping roof limits rear headroom
No diesel offered

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.

Renault Arkana

A comfortable long-distance cruiser rather than a dynamic driver's car. Steering is light and accurate enough for daily use, and body control is reasonable, but the ride is firmer than many rivals — especially on larger wheels — and can feel unsettled over sharp bumps. The 1.3 TCe feels responsive once moving, while the E-Tech hybrid prioritises efficiency and can feel less linear under hard acceleration because of its multi-mode transmission. The EDC dual-clutch is smooth at higher speeds but can show low-speed hesitation or judder.