Mercedes-Benz GLE W167 vs Renault Captur MK2

Mercedes-Benz GLE

W167 · 2018 – 2026

The second-generation GLE on the MHA platform.

Renault Captur

MK2 · 2019 – 2026

The second Captur (MK2), on the CMF-B platform with E-Tech hybrids.

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 MK2 for the roomier, modern Captur with E-Tech hybrids and the flexible rear bench.

Best engine: The 1.0 TCe (petrol) or E-Tech 140/145 (hybrid).

Read the full guide

Performance

M256 GLE 450 · Petrol vs 1.0 TCe 100 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Renault Captur
Power	367 hp Winner	100 hp
Torque	500 Nm Winner	160 Nm
0–100 km/h	5,7 s Winner	13,0 s
Top speed	250 km/h Winner	178 km/h
Power-to-weight	164,2 hp/t Winner	87,7 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	220 g/km	115 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	9,3 L/100km	5,0 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Renault Captur
Boot	630 L Winner	422 L
Boot (seats folded)	2.055 L Winner	1.500 L
Wheelbase	3,00 m Winner	2,64 m
Length	4,92 m	4,24 m
Ground clearance	20,5 cm	—
Turning circle	12,0 m	10,9 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	3.500 kg Winner	1.100 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Renault Captur
Platform	MHA (rear-wheel-drive base)	CMF-B
Drive	All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid	1.0 TCe · 1.3 TCe · 1.5 Blue dCi · E-Tech 140/145 · E-Tech PHEV 158
Transmission	9-speed 9G-TRONIC	6-speed manual
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d	Euro 6d
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

E-Tech hybrid: 12V battery drain
Electrical gremlins and infotainment freezes
1.5 Blue dCi: DPF and AdBlue on short trips

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

Bigger boot than the MK1
Modern E-Tech hybrids available
Keeps the clever sliding rear bench

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

PHEV pricier and heavier
Infotainment can be slow

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 firmer than the first-generation Captur, reducing roll in corners while staying acceptable on normal roads, though the ride can feel firm on larger wheels. The 1.0 TCe and 1.3 TCe feel responsive for daily use; the E-Tech hybrid adds strong low-speed electric assistance and smooth transitions once warm. Manual gearboxes are straightforward, and the EDC dual-clutch is smooth at speed but can hesitate at low speeds. Overall a competent, easy compact crossover rather than a driver's car.