Mercedes-Benz GLE W167 vs Renault Captur MK1

Mercedes-Benz GLE

W167 · 2018 – 2026

The second-generation GLE on the MHA platform.

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 300 d / GLE 350 d (diesel) or GLE 450 (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

M256 GLE 450 · Petrol vs 0.9 TCe 90 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Renault Captur
Power	367 hp Winner	90 hp
Torque	500 Nm Winner	135 Nm
0–100 km/h	5,7 s Winner	12,7 s
Top speed	250 km/h Winner	171 km/h
Power-to-weight	164,2 hp/t Winner	83,3 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	220 g/km	105 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	9,3 L/100km	4,7 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Renault Captur
Boot	630 L Winner	377 L
Boot (seats folded)	2.055 L Winner	1.235 L
Wheelbase	3,00 m Winner	2,61 m
Length	4,92 m	4,12 m
Ground clearance	20,5 cm	—
Turning circle	12,0 m	10,4 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	3.500 kg Winner	900 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Renault Captur
Platform	MHA (rear-wheel-drive base)	B (modified)
Drive	All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid	0.9 TCe · 1.2 TCe · 1.3 TCe · 1.5 dCi
Transmission	9-speed 9G-TRONIC	5-speed manual
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d	Euro 6
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

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)

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

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

Renault Captur

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

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

Renault Captur

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

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.

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.