Mercedes-Benz GLE W167 vs Volkswagen Tiguan CT1

Mercedes-Benz GLE

W167 · 2018 – 2026

The second-generation GLE on the MHA platform.

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

M256 GLE 450 · Petrol vs 1.5 eTSI 150 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Volkswagen Tiguan
Power	367 hp Winner	150 hp
Torque	500 Nm Winner	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	5,7 s Winner	9,1 s
Top speed	250 km/h Winner	210 km/h
Power-to-weight	164,2 hp/t Winner	101,4 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	220 g/km	128 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	9,3 L/100km	5,6 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Volkswagen Tiguan
Boot	630 L	652 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	2.055 L Winner	1.650 L
Wheelbase	3,00 m Winner	2,68 m
Length	4,92 m	4,54 m
Ground clearance	20,5 cm	19,5 cm
Turning circle	12,0 m	11,7 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	3.500 kg Winner	2.000 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz GLE	Volkswagen Tiguan
Platform	MHA (rear-wheel-drive base)	MQB Evo (transverse)
Drive	All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid	EA211 Evo 1.5 eTSI · EA888 2.0 TSI · EA288 Evo 2.0 TDI · eHybrid PHEV
Transmission	9-speed 9G-TRONIC	7-speed DSG
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d	Euro 6e
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)

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

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

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

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

Volkswagen Tiguan

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

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.

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.