The BMW X5 vs Mercedes GLE are both great vehicles, and anyone looking to buy a good vehicle will be considering both of them. The two vehicles are top-tier in the SUV market, with lots of fantastic features. While the BMW X5 leans towards luxury and performance, the Mercedes GLE focuses more on luxury and comfort. As much as both vehicles dominate the SUV market, both have different and unique features to offer. Let’s check out the features that make these two vehicles unique in their way.
Overview
The X5 and the GLE are great options for people looking to get a compact SUV that offers luxury, performance, and an overall great driving experience. The X5 comes with amazing features and it is one of the top SUVs under $100k. Also, the X5 comes in different trims, with each trim offering a different performance. Likewise, Mercedes comes in different trim levels with different performances. However, The X5 has the PHEV option that gives it an edge over the GLE. Let’s see more of the differences and similarities between these two models as we explore them in detail.
Latest Upgrades
Both the BMW X5 and the Mercedes GLE have undergone noteworthy updates for their most recent models. The X5 has a 2025 model with few differences from the 2024 model, including the addition of lane-change assist features. This feature works alongside the highway assist and hands-free driving system, allowing drivers to change lanes easily by applying steering torque as the driver activates the feature.
The Mercedes GLE, on the other hand, has the latest model of 2024, which has a refined exterior styling with improved tech aimed at comfort and hybridization. The original model was from 2020, and the current model is from 2024. When compared to the previous models, the GLE has experienced some subtle changes, such as the grille change, front bumper, and taillights. Another update to this vehicle is the MBUX infotainment system. This infotainment upgrade now includes an enhanced voice recognition option and augmented reality navigation. There are also electric options with an improved mild-hybrid system for better efficiency.
Exterior, Outlook, and Wheels
When it comes to the outlook, the X5 boasts of a muscular and athletic design which clearly emphasizes its sporty DNA. The attention to detail of the vehicle is obvious, with the well-sculpted hood, pronounced rear haunches that give the X5 a fierce look, and also the bold shoulder lines. Let’s not forget the signature BMW kidney grille that dominates the front view, giving it a sharp look. The exterior of the X3 also comes with a slimmer LED headlight. For the wheels, the X5 stands tall on a 19-22-inch wheel, depending on the trim. It also comes with a standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and a rear-wheel drive option perfect for road and highway trips.
Mercedes GLE, on the other hand, has a more elegant and sophisticated design. It comes with a 3-point star grille with a diamond-pattern mesh, giving it a bold look. The body lines and contours are perfect,, giving it a luxurious appearance compared to the X5’s fierce look. There’s also an optional chrome accents and AMG styling package for those who prefer a sportier look. For the wheels, the GLE has wheel sizes ranging from 20 to 22 inches with a standard and optional AWD, which is great for road trips. At the same time, the X5 is great for buyers interested in a bold and sporty ride, while the GLE is perfect for buyers who want timeless luxury.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo Space
Both SUV interiors feature amazing designs and luxurious cabins, but each one has its uniqueness. If you’re looking for something modern yet minimalistic with a touch of high-end tech, then you might be interested in the BMW X5. The highlight of the X5 interior is its curved tech display. This display merges a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen, which is a massive screen that offers a clear display. Likewise, the interior is made of high-quality materials such as wood trims, Vernasca leather, and aluminum accents. You can also get a Merino leather upholstery with higher trim. The X5 has a panoramic moonroof across most trims. Likewise, it has a cargo space of 33.9 cubic feet after the rear seats and 72.3 cubic feet when the rear seat is folded.
On the inside of the Mercedes GLE is a more spacious cargo space with plenty of rear-seat legroom than the BMW X5. When the seats are folded it has up to 74.9 cubic feet but a lesser cargo space of 33.3 cubic feet when the seats are up. For the roof, GLE comes with a normal tilt-and-slide sunroof and a panoramic moonroof as an optional feature. The Mercedes interior comes with a dual 12.3-inch touchscreen just above the dashboard. These screens can be customized based on preference and can run alongside the Mercedes MBUX system.
For the material option, it’s made of high-quality materials like the X5. It’s made of materials like Nappa leather, open-pore wood, and brushed aluminum that gives life to the cabin area. However, both the X5 and the GLE come with a heated seat, which is the front seat, but there’s an option of getting a heated passenger seat as well for seat comfort. While the X5 is tech-focused and modern, the GLE leans more to cabin space and comfort.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Infotainment and connectivity are an integral part of these luxury SUVs, which promote a lively and engaging driving experience. BMW X5 comes with a curved touchscreen display and a user-friendly interface. For connectivity, it can seamlessly integrate with the smartphone for easier control. It also has a voice recognition option, which allows easy control of functions like navigation and climate hands-free. For some trims, you can even get a Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system, which is an amazing feature for those who love music.
The Mercedes GLE comes with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), which is built with touch controls and voice control. It also comes with augmented reality navigation that helps with projecting directions onto a live camera feed. This makes it easier for drivers to get clear guidance without having to struggle with their phones. The infotainment and connectivity also allow for smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. When it comes to sound, the Burmester sound system is quite the catch, as it provides a super clear video.
Engine and Performance
Both luxury vehicles offer a range of engine choices catering to different needs. Likewise, both vehicles, although having a high-performance capability, have different engine configurations and driving dynamics. The BMW X5 base model comes with a 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 engine producing 375 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. The base engine, when paired with the mild-hybrid technology, can achieve an acceleration of 0-60 mph within 5.3 seconds in the xDrive50e trim. Ultimately, the X5 delivers more power and torque across its lineup, especially the BMW X5 plug-in hybrid xDrive50e. With a 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 + electric motor, this plug-in hybrid can deliver 483 horsepower and an acceleration that moves from 0-60 mph in under 5 seconds, which is thrilling.
On the other hand, the GLE offers a broader pier train option with its base model, GLE 350. This base model features a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivers 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, which is a slow speed and falls short of the X5. For the acceleration, it can only achieve 0-60 mph in 7 seconds, which is slower than the X5 base model. If you’re to compare the BMW X5 vs Mercedes GLE solely on acceleration performance, the X5 will win with a landslide.
However, the GLE 460 has better performance with a 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 that can generate 375 horsepower and achieve 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds. Mercedes GLE also offers the V8 engine option with its GLE 580, which boasts of a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine achieving up to 510 horsepower. The high-performance variant is also available in the AMG GLE 53 and 63 S, which can generate a thrilling horsepower of 429 and 603, respectively.
Fuel Economy
When comparing the fuel economy of the BMW X5 vs Mercedes GLE, the differences largely depend on the engine options and hybrid availability. Both vehicles offer different power trains, which include gasoline, mild-hybrid systems, and ply-in hybrids. All of these power trains have an immense impact on fuel efficiency. For the BMW X5, the fuel economy ranges between 17 – 23 mpg in the city, 22-27 mpg on the highway, and 19 – 25 mpg combined. Just like the X5, the GLE has different power trains, each with different fuel efficiency ratings. You can expect a fuel efficiency of 17 20 mpg in the city, 21 -26 mpg on the highway, and 18 – 22 mpg. However, you can get up to 52 mpg for the electric range.
Safety and Driver Assistance Technology
Top-notch safety is something these two top-tier vehicles offer, as well as driver assistant technology that helps drivers navigate the vehicle while in use. However, the differences can’t be overshadowed, as each brand has a different approach toward automation and advanced assistance. For the X5, the BMW brand sure did a good job of equipping it with a comprehensive safety option. It has a 5 out of 5 NHTSA rating. There are standard features and also available additional advanced features.
Let’s not forget the new lane-change assist features that came with the 2025 model. For the standard safety features, there’s the forward collision warning that works with the automatic emergency braking to detect pedestrians and vehicles and applies brakes to avoid a collision. The parking sensor is another cool feature that allows for easy parking in tight spaces. Other safety features include link uses, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning system, automatic high beams, and rear cross-traffic. The additional safety feature also has a lot to choose from.
Just like the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE has a 5 out of 5 NHTSA rating. For a car to have this rating, you can be sure that it’s super safe, thanks to the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive system. It has standard safety features that ensure that the vehicle is safe to drive. These include forward collision eating, blind spot assist, attention assist, and rear-cross assist. It also comes with an automatic high beam assist, parking sensors, and rear-view cameras. Other features include the active distance assist, basic adaptive cruise control system (Distronic), active steering assist, active blind spot assist, the Pre-safe plus, head-up display, and the surround-view camera system.
Pricing
The pricing of these two vehicles varies with different trim levels and model years. Both vehicles offer a range of choices that fit different preferences and budgets. However, you can get a BMW X5 between $65,000 to $130,000 for the newer model year. You can get the older models for a cheaper price. The Mercedes GLE, however, starts at $61,850 and goes up to $130,800, depending on the trim and the model year. Generally, the BMW X5 starts at a higher price compared to the GLE. However, buyers should consider what they actually need and the features they want to see in their car. If you’re unsure of what to go for, you can speak with a trusted dealership.
Warranty Package
The BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE offer a similar warranty, which includes a 4-year per 50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty. They also have a similar 4 years of unlimited-mileage roadside assistance. However, the X5 stands above the GLE with complimentary scheduled maintenance for 3 years per 36,000 miles. Likewise, when it comes to corrosion warranty, the X5 rivals the GLE’s 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty with its 12-year unlimited-mileage warranty, offering great long-term and resale value. Although the GLE does not offer free maintenance, you can opt for prepaid maintenance plans for more predictable service costs. If you’re interested in a vehicle that needs little maintenance, then you might want to go for the BMW X5.
Wrap Up!
Comparing and choosing between the BMW X5 vs Mercedes GLE can be a tough one. However, everything boils down to individual preferences and priorities. Ultimately, there’s no doubt that the X5 outshines the GLE since it has lots of better options when it comes to performance and cost-saving. However, the GLE might appeal to individuals who prefer luxury and the prestige that comes with using the car “Mercedes Benz.” Irrespective of what you’re going for, both cars deliver premium quality and are excellent options for buyers who want an SUV.
