Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 vs Volkswagen Tiguan CT1

Mercedes-Benz GLE

W166 · 2011 – 2019

The ML-Class / first GLE generation.

Volkswagen Tiguan

CT1 · 2024 – 2026

The third-generation Tiguan (CT1), on the MQB Evo 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…

Volkswagen Tiguan

Pick the Tiguan for a roomy, practical family SUV with strong towing and a wide engine range.

Best engine: The 1.5 eTSI (150 hp) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

M276 GLE 350 · Petrol vs 1.5 eTSI 150 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Volkswagen Tiguan
Power	306 hp Winner	150 hp
Torque	370 Nm Winner	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	7,5 s Winner	9,1 s
Top speed	235 km/h Winner	210 km/h
Power-to-weight	142,3 hp/t Winner	101,4 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	185 g/km	128 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	7,9 L/100km	5,6 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Volkswagen Tiguan
Boot	690 L Winner	652 L
Boot (seats folded)	2.010 L Winner	1.650 L
Wheelbase	2,92 m Winner	2,68 m
Length	4,82 m	4,54 m
Ground clearance	21,0 cm	19,5 cm
Turning circle	11,8 m	11,7 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	3.500 kg Winner	2.000 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Volkswagen Tiguan
Platform	M-Class rear-wheel-drive base	MQB Evo (transverse)
Drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	M276/M278 petrol · OM651/OM642 diesel · plug-in hybrid	EA211 Evo 1.5 eTSI · EA888 2.0 TSI · EA288 Evo 2.0 TDI · eHybrid PHEV
Transmission	7-speed 7G-TRONIC	7-speed DSG
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6	Euro 6e
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

Volkswagen Tiguan

New-generation software (MIB4) may need campaigns
Higher weight/reinforced suspension on eHybrid
4MOTION diesels: AdBlue/DPF on short trips

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

Volkswagen Tiguan

Even bigger boot (652 l) with a flat load floor
Modern MIB4 infotainment and driver assistance
eHybrid with ~19.7 kWh battery and low CO2

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

Volkswagen Tiguan

eHybrid loses boot space (490 l)
Touch-slider controls take getting used to

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.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Comfortable, quiet and more car-like than the old Tiguan. The CT1 rides with better body control and noise isolation than the AD1, steers accurately, and feels lighter on its feet despite similar dimensions. Front-drive versions are easy; 4Motion adds traction in poor conditions. The 1.5 eTSI is smooth and efficient with its 48-volt assistance, the 2.0 TDI is the long-distance pick, and the eHybrid covers short trips on electric power. The DSG is smooth; there is no manual. It is a more polished, more digital version of the same formula — comfortable and competent, if still not exciting.