In the competitive world of luxury SUVs, the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE stand out as two of the most compelling options. Both offer a compelling blend of performance, luxury, and practicality that make them highly desirable for families and driving enthusiasts alike. But which one is the better choice for you?
The BMW X5 edges out the Mercedes-Benz GLE with its superior performance and driving dynamics, while the GLE counters with a more refined ride and an elegant, spacious interior. Your decision will come down to your priorities when it comes to power, handling, cabin comfort, and cutting-edge technology features.
This in-depth comparison guide will take a close look at every key aspect of these two premium midsize SUVs – from their potent engine lineups and acceleration capabilities to their lavish interiors, advanced safety tech, and overall value propositions. We’ll examine where each model excels and where they fall short to help you make the most informed purchase decision.
Powerful and Efficient Engine Options
When it comes to engine performance, both the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE offer a range of compelling powertrain choices to suit your desired blend of power and efficiency. However, the X5 tends to have a slight edge in terms of outright muscle.
The X5 lineup starts with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine that cranks out a robust 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. For those craving even more thrust, BMW offers a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that delivers a thrilling 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque in the X5 M50i. The range-topping X5 M ups the ante even further with a 600-hp version of this V8 beast. BMW also offers a plug-in hybrid 45e model that pairs a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with an electric motor for a combined 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque.
Mercedes counters with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (255 hp, 273 lb-ft) as the base GLE engine. While adequate for daily driving, it lacks the refined punch of BMW’s turbo inline-six. The GLE 450 comes with a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six hybrid setup (362 hp, 369 lb-ft) that’s a bit down on power compared to BMW’s six-cylinder offerings. For maximum thrills, the GLE 580 packs a 483-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, while the AMG GLE 63 S cranks it up to a ridiculous 603 hp. Mercedes also sells a plug-in hybrid variant.
In terms of acceleration, the X5 M can rocket from 0-60 mph in a blistering 3.7 seconds, making it one of the quickest SUVs on the market. The AMG GLE 63 S isn’t far behind at 3.7 seconds as well. When it comes to towing, the X5 has a slight edge with a maximum capacity of 7,200 lbs compared to 7,700 lbs for the GLE.
So while the GLE offers some seriously potent engine choices, the X5 seems to have an overall performance advantage – especially when equipped with the inline-six or V8 engines. The plug-in hybrid models are quite close in terms of power output.
Luxurious Cabins With Smart Packaging
Inside, both the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE deliver the upscale luxury you’d expect from these premium brands. However, the GLE gets the slight nod when it comes to overall interior space and refinement.
The GLE’s cabin feels marginally airier and more elegantly designed, with premium materials like wood trim, leather upholstery, and aluminum accents. It offers a generous 40.3 inches of front legroom and a palatial 40.9 inches of second-row legroom. The X5 counters with 39.8 inches of front legroom and 37.4 inches of second-row space – still quite good, but not quite as expansive as the Mercedes.
Cargo space is a toss-up, as the X5 has 33.9 cubic feet of room behind the second row compared to 33.3 cubes for the GLE. However, Mercedes gives you a bit more maximum cargo space with the second row folded at 74.9 cubic feet versus 72.3 for the BMW. So if you frequently need to carry larger items, the GLE has a slight advantage. Both SUVs are available with optional third-row seating for up to seven passengers, though cargo room obviously suffers.
The X5’s interior design is more driver-focused and features premium materials like leather, wood, and aluminum trim. It doesn’t feel quite as opulent as the GLE’s cabin at first glance. However, you can opt for upgraded Luxury or M Sport interior design packages that give it a richer, more upscale ambiance.
In the end, the GLE gets the slight edge for overall interior spaciousness and its more elegant design aesthetic. But the X5 counters with smart packaging and upscale options of its own for a truly premium cabin experience.
Cutting-Edge Tech and Connectivity
When it comes to in-vehicle technology, infotainment systems, and connectivity features, the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE are both at the leading edge – offering some of the most advanced and user-friendly systems in the luxury SUV segment.
The BMW features the latest iDrive 7 infotainment setup, with a massive 12.3-inch central touchscreen that has smartphone-like operation, crisp graphics, and an intuitive menu layout. It also comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. You can control it via touch, voice commands (“Hey BMW”), or a circular iDrive controller on the center console. The available Bowers & Wilkins audio system is simply sublime.
Mercedes fights back with the innovative MBUX infotainment system, anchored by a gorgeous 12.3-inch touchscreen with vivid graphics and smartphone-like operation. Like BMW’s system, it offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with navigation and a reconfigurable digital gauge cluster. It also has an advanced voice control setup that responds to prompts like “Hey Mercedes” to control functions with natural language. The available Burmester audio system delivers concert-like sound quality.
Both SUVs offer cutting-edge features like wireless smartphone connectivity, over-the-air updates, and advanced cloud-based voice assistants. The X5 gets bonus points, however, for offering BMW’s excellent Remote Software Upgrade capability that lets you download new features and system updates over the air. You’ll have to visit the dealer to update the GLE’s MBUX software.
In the end, both of these premium SUVs deliver stellar infotainment and connectivity tech that is class-leading. The BMW gets a slight edge for its intuitive iDrive operation and slick over-the-air upgrade capability.
Comprehensive Safety Technologies
When it comes to keeping you and your family safe, the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE both come equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems as standard equipment.
The X5 includes Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, and more as part of its Active Driving Assistant suite. You can upgrade to the Driving Assistance Professional package which adds Lane Keeping Assist with side collision avoidance, Emergency Stop Assistant, and Traffic Jam Assistant for limited hands-free driving capability.
Similarly, the GLE has a full array of active safety tech such as Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Mercedes’ ATTENTION ASSIST driver monitoring system. The optional Driver Assistance Package Plus adds adaptive cruise control, active lane change assist, route-based speed adaptation, and evasive steering assist in case of an imminent collision.
When it comes to crash test ratings, both models perform exceptionally well. The 2023 X5 earned a 5-Star overall safety rating from NHTSA, while the GLE received the top “Good” rating in all crash tests performed by IIHS, plus a “Superior” rating for its front crash prevention system.
So while both SUVs offer superb safety credentials overall, the GLE does seem to have a slight edge in terms of the sheer number of advanced driver aids available in its upper technology packages. But both will provide outstanding occupant protection and crash avoidance capability.
Fuel-Efficient Yet Potent Options
When it comes to balancing performance with fuel efficiency, both the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE offer compelling engine choices – including powerful yet frugal hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.
The most fuel-efficient non-hybrid X5 is the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six sDrive40i model, which returns an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined (21 city/26 highway). Opting for xDrive all-wheel drive drops those numbers slightly to 23 mpg combined. The plug-in hybrid X5 xDrive45e boasts an excellent 50 MPGe rating and can travel up to 30 miles on electric power alone.
On the Mercedes side, the base four-cylinder GLE 350 leads the way with 23 mpg combined (19 city/27 highway) with RWD or 22 mpg combined with 4Matic AWD. The mild hybrid GLE 450 4Matic returns 23 mpg combined as well. For maximum efficiency, the plug-in hybrid GLE 350e has a 64 MPGe rating and can travel up to 21 miles on electric power.
As you move up to the higher-performance V8 models, fuel economy obviously takes a hit for outright acceleration prowess. The BMW X5 M50i V8 gets 17 mpg combined, while the GLE 580 4Matic checks in at 18 mpg combined.
So while there isn’t a massive discrepancy in overall fuel efficiency between the two, the BMW X5 does seem to have a slight edge – especially with its plug-in hybrid variant’s longer EV driving range and stellar 50 MPGe rating.
Competitive Pricing and Value
When it comes to pricing and overall value, the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE are quite evenly matched in terms of their base MSRPs and cost of ownership.
For 2023, the X5 sDrive40i starts at $65,500, while the GLE 350 has a nearly identical $65,350 base MSRP. Moving up to the inline-six turbo models, the X5 xDrive40i is $64,700 versus $63,350 for the GLE 450 4Matic. The gap widens at the top end, with the X5 M60i commanding $94,300 and the GLE 580 4Matic starting at $81,500.
Both models offer a wide range of option packages, upholstery choices, and premium audio upgrades that can quickly inflate pricing into the six-figure range. Expect a fully-loaded X5 or GLE to crest over $100,000 or more.
In terms of projected resale value over five years of ownership, both models are expected to retain around 45-50% of their original MSRP according to KBB. The BMW may hold its value slightly better at the lower trim levels due to stronger demand.
Factor in maintenance and repair costs, and once again these two are neck-and-neck according to data from RepairPal. The BMW averages $1,081 per year in estimated costs versus $1,072 for the Mercedes-Benz.
So in the end, there isn’t a massive difference in overall pricing or 5-year cost of ownership between the X5 and GLE. The BMW may cost slightly more at the top end of the trim range, but both represent a sizable investment in automotive luxury and performance. It will come down to your personal budgetary constraints and priorities.
The Verdict: Which Luxury SUV Reigns Supreme?
After an in-depth look at all the key areas, it’s clear that the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE are both exceptional luxury SUV offerings with their own unique strengths and attributes.
The BMW X5 stands out with its potent yet refined turbocharged and V8 engine options that deliver thrilling straight-line acceleration and towing capability. It also has the performance advantage in terms of sharper handling dynamics. The iDrive infotainment system is one of the most user-friendly on the market, and BMW’s over-the-air update capability keeps tech features fresh. Pricing is competitive, and the brand’s strong residual values give the X5 the slight edge in long-term ownership costs.
Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz GLE counters with a supremely elegant and spacious interior that feels more premium overall. It offers a broader range of advanced driver assistance features and has superior crash test ratings. The MBUX tech interface is also visually stunning. While not quite as performant, the GLE’s engine choices are still plenty potent – especially the AMG variants. Its plug-in hybrid gets superior electric-only range too.
For driving enthusiasts who prioritize acceleration, handling prowess, and premium performance, the BMW X5 is the clear choice in this battle of luxury SUV titans. But if you value spacious comfort, the latest safety tech, stunning interior design, and electric driving range above all else, you’ll be supremely satisfied with the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
No matter which way you go, you’ll be getting an exceptionally well-crafted luxury vehicle that delivers daily driving thrills and upscale amenities in equal measure. Carefully weigh your priorities, and you can’t go wrong with either the BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLE.
