Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 vs Renault Captur MK1

Mercedes-Benz GLE

W166 · 2011 – 2019

The ML-Class / first GLE generation.

Renault Captur

MK1 · 2013 – 2019

The first Captur (MK1), on a modified 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 Captur

Pick the MK1 for an affordable, flexible early Captur with a clever sliding rear bench.

Best engine: The 0.9 TCe (petrol) or 1.5 dCi (diesel).

Read the full guide

Performance

M276 GLE 350 · Petrol vs 0.9 TCe 90 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Renault Captur
Power	306 hp Winner	90 hp
Torque	370 Nm Winner	135 Nm
0–100 km/h	7,5 s Winner	12,7 s
Top speed	235 km/h Winner	171 km/h
Power-to-weight	142,3 hp/t Winner	83,3 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	185 g/km	105 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	7,9 L/100km	4,7 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Renault Captur
Boot	690 L Winner	377 L
Boot (seats folded)	2.010 L Winner	1.235 L
Wheelbase	2,92 m Winner	2,61 m
Length	4,82 m	4,12 m
Ground clearance	21,0 cm	—
Turning circle	11,8 m	10,4 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	3.500 kg Winner	900 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Renault Captur
Platform	M-Class rear-wheel-drive base	B (modified)
Drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	M276/M278 petrol · OM651/OM642 diesel · plug-in hybrid	0.9 TCe · 1.2 TCe · 1.3 TCe · 1.5 dCi
Transmission	7-speed 7G-TRONIC	5-speed manual
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6	Euro 6
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 Captur

1.2 TCe: timing chain and oil consumption
EDC: jerky shifts at low speed
Electrical gremlins and R-Link freezes

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 Captur

Flexible sliding rear bench
Affordable and plentiful used
Efficient 1.5 dCi diesel

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 Captur

1.2 TCe carries chain risk
Boot and rear legroom smaller than MK2

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 Captur

Light and easy to place in town with a reasonably high driving position, helped by light steering that is not especially communicative. Body control is acceptable but the ride is firmer than a conventional supermini, especially on larger wheels. The 0.9 TCe and 1.2 TCe feel responsive for daily use when healthy, while the 1.5 dCi is stronger on the motorway. Manual gearboxes are straightforward; the EDC dual-clutch is smooth at speed but often shows low-speed hesitation or judder. Overall a competent compact crossover of its era rather than a driver's car.