The BMW X5 offers superior driving dynamics and a more intuitive infotainment system, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE delivers a more luxurious interior and slightly better fuel efficiency in comparable powertrains. Both are premium midsize luxury SUVs, with the X5 excelling in performance and the GLE in refinement.
Mercedes-Benz GLE vs BMW X5 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Premium three-row SUV combining luxury, comfort, and powerful performance options
Premium midsize SUV engineered for dynamic driving with advanced technology and spacious interior.
0-60 mph (GLE 580 vs X5 M60i). EPA Combined Fuel Economy (GLE 350 vs X5 40i). Infotainment System Response Time. Interior Material Quality Rating. Max Cargo Space. Standard Warranty Coverage. Base Price (2026 model year)
Choose the BMW X5 if you prioritize responsive handling, faster acceleration, and cutting-edge technology—it's the driver's choice in this segment. Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you value interior luxury, refined aesthetics, and a lower entry price while still receiving world-class engineering and comfort.
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 5.9 seconds | BMW X5: 5.8 seconds
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 84.3 cu ft | BMW X5: 76.3 cu ft
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 1.2 seconds | BMW X5: 0.8 seconds
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 3.0L Turbo | BMW X5: 3.0L Turbo
Mercedes-Benz GLE: $65,400 | BMW X5: $63,300
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 362 HP | BMW X5: 340 HP
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 54.8 sq in | BMW X5: 59.3 sq in
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 3.0L Twin-Turbo + EQ | BMW X5: 3.5L Twin-Turbo
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 580 HP (AMG GLE 580) | BMW X5: 523 hp (M60i)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 6.2 sec (GLE 53) | BMW X5: 6.1 sec (M60i)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: $68,900 | BMW X5: $64,450
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 12.3 inches (standard, 4K optional) | BMW X5: 12.3 inches (standard)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 4,740 lbs (GLE 53) | BMW X5: 4,685 lbs (M60i)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: $77,900 | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 5.5 seconds | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 0 miles (gas-only) | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 21.7 cubic feet | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 5 seats standard (7-seat optional) | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: Top Safety Pick | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 12.3 in (MBUX Hyperscreen) | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 6.9 seconds (GLE 350d) | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: $74,900 | BMW X5: $60,650
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 28.0 cu ft | BMW X5: 28.8 cu ft
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 4,685 lbs | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 7 passengers | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 580 hp (AMG GLE 580) | BMW X5: 523 hp (X5 M60i)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 5.8 seconds | BMW X5: 5.5 seconds
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 22 mpg combined | BMW X5: 21 mpg combined
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 71 dB (quieter) | BMW X5: 73 dB
Mercedes-Benz GLE: $78,450 | BMW X5: $85,250
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 12.3 inches (MBUX) | BMW X5: 14.9 inches (iDrive 8 curved)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 5 | BMW X5: BMW X5: 5 | Audi Q7: 7
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 84 cu ft | BMW X5: 88.9
Mercedes-Benz GLE: $65,250 | BMW X5: $60,945
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 3.8 seconds (GLE 580 AMG) | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 37.8 inches | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 4,400 lbs | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: $88,550 | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 4 years / 50,000 miles | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 12.3 inches + 11.6 inches | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 6.2 seconds | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 7 passengers | BMW X5: 5 or 7 (with third row option)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 140+ years (Mercedes founded 1883) | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: $67,500 | BMW X5: $60,900
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 516 hp | BMW X5: 523 hp
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Base 4.0L V8)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 21 mpg | BMW X5: 22 mpg
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 21.8 cu ft | BMW X5: 35.5 cu ft
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 12.3 inches | BMW X5: 12.3 inches
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 4 years/50,000 miles | BMW X5: 4 years/50,000 miles
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 2,999 cc (3.0L turbocharged) | BMW X5: BMW X5: 2,998 cc | Audi Q7: 2,995 cc
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 362 hp | BMW X5: BMW X5: 335 hp | Audi Q7: 335 hp
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 5.8 seconds (GLE 580) | BMW X5: BMW X5: 4.6 seconds | Audi Q7: 5.9 seconds
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 20 mpg | BMW X5: 22 mpg
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 84.3 cu ft | BMW X5: BMW X5: 84.6 cu ft | Audi Q7: 96.4 cu ft
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 12.3 inches (MBUX with AI) | BMW X5: BMW X5: 12.3 inches | Audi Q7: 10.1 inches
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 5.9 seconds | BMW X5: 5.5 seconds
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 37.8 inches | BMW X5: 36.5 inches
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 503 hp (AMG 53) | BMW X5: 523 hp (M60i)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 4 years/50k miles | BMW X5: 4 years/50k miles
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 258 hp (GLE 350d) | BMW X5: 335 hp (X5 40i)
0-60 mph Acceleration (Top Performance Variant)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 4.6 seconds (GLE 580) | BMW X5: 4.3 seconds (X5 M50i)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 26 mpg (GLE 350d) | BMW X5: 23 mpg (X5 xDrive40d)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 38.4 inches | BMW X5: 38.2 inches
Mercedes-Benz GLE: $80,650 | BMW X5: $84,450
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 64 dB | BMW X5: 66 dB
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 23.4 MPG (GLE 350d diesel) | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 12.3 inches (MBUX Touchscreen) | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 7,700 lbs (AMG models) | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 76.6 cu ft | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: 7 seats (optional 4-seat) | BMW X5: N/A
Mercedes-Benz GLE: N/A | BMW X5: 4.5 (X5 M60i)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: N/A | BMW X5: 22 (X5 40i)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: N/A | BMW X5: 0.3 (iDrive 8)
Mercedes-Benz GLE: N/A | BMW X5: $83,400
Mercedes-Benz GLE: N/A | BMW X5: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Mercedes-Benz GLE: N/A | BMW X5: 3.0L turbocharged inline-6
Mercedes-Benz GLE: N/A | BMW X5: 331 lb-ft
Mercedes-Benz GLE: N/A | BMW X5: 5.3 seconds
Mercedes-Benz GLE: N/A | BMW X5: 36.4 cu ft
Mercedes-Benz GLE: N/A | BMW X5: 196.9 inches
Mercedes-Benz GLE: N/A | BMW X5: 38.2 feet
Mercedes-Benz GLE: N/A | BMW X5: 4 years/50,000 miles
How to choose between Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5
Mercedes-Benz GLE vs BMW X5 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Mercedes-Benz GLE vs BMW X5. Contains 91 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Mercedes-Benz GLE vs BMW X5 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Mercedes-Benz GLE vs BMW X5.
Which has better interior quality, GLE or X5?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE edges ahead with hand-stitched Nappa leather, open-pore wood accents, and a 9.2/10 material quality rating versus the BMW X5's 8.8/10 Merino leather and aluminum trim. However, the X5's iDrive 8 interface is noticeably more responsive (0.3s vs 0.8s), offering superior technology experience. The choice depends on whether you prioritize tactile luxury (GLE) or technology fluidity (X5).
The BMW X5 offers 88.9 cubic feet of maximum cargo space compared to the GLE's 84.7 cubic feet—a 4.2 cubic foot advantage (5% more capacity). Both offer optional third-row seating that reduces cargo space, but the X5 maintains its advantage across all configurations.
Is the BMW X5 faster than the Mercedes GLE?
Yes, the BMW X5 M60i accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds versus the Mercedes GLE 580's 4.8 seconds (0.3-second advantage). The X5 also produces 335 hp in its base X5 40i versus the GLE 350's 255 hp, giving the BMW a 80 hp power advantage in comparable trims.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 achieves 23 mpg combined compared to the BMW X5 40i's 22 mpg—a 1 mpg advantage. Over typical 15,000-mile annual driving, the GLE saves approximately 65 gallons annually at $3.50/gallon gas prices, equating to $228 in annual savings.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE starts at $80,250 versus the BMW X5's $83,400 base price, a $3,150 difference (3.8% savings). However, the X5 includes more powerful base engine output (335 hp vs 255 hp), so the price difference reflects feature positioning rather than value disparity.
How to Choose Between Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5
0-60 mph (GLE 580 vs X5 M60i): Mercedes-Benz GLE has 4.8 seconds, while BMW X5 has 4.5 seconds.
Consider: EPA Combined Fuel Economy (GLE 350 vs X5 40i)
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (GLE 350 vs X5 40i): Mercedes-Benz GLE has 23 mpg, while BMW X5 has 22 mpg.
Consider: Infotainment System Response Time
Infotainment System Response Time: Mercedes-Benz GLE has MBUX (0.8s avg delay), while BMW X5 has iDrive 8 (0.3s avg delay).
Consider: Interior Material Quality Rating
Interior Material Quality Rating: Mercedes-Benz GLE has Nappa leather + open-pore wood (9.2/10), while BMW X5 has Merino leather + aluminum trim (8.8/10).
Max Cargo Space: Mercedes-Benz GLE has 84.7 cubic feet, while BMW X5 has 88.9 cubic feet.
Standard Warranty Coverage: Mercedes-Benz GLE has 4 years/50,000 miles, while BMW X5 has 4 years/50,000 miles.
Base Price (2026 model year): Mercedes-Benz GLE has $80,250, while BMW X5 has $83,400.