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Photo Comparison: BMW F15 X5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mercedes-Benz took advantage of the New York Auto Show to present its new GLE-Class models to the world. Replacing the trademark ML-Class versions is not going to be an easy task though, especially when you’re going up against the BMW X5.
BMW X5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE 7 photos
Photo: image edited by autoevolution
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While BMW kept its name intact, Mercedes conserved most of its powertrains. Therefore, we can look at this new model as a facelift for the ML, a well deserved one. But how do the two compare? If you’re on the market, what would you choose? We’re here to help you out.

We put together a photo gallery of the two, but we’ll also walk you through the engine choices as well as some of each of the cars’ specifics. Let’s begin then.

Diesel engines

The Mercedes-Benz range is a bit more conservative, and that’s understandable as this is its first year on the market. The entry-level diesel is the GLE 250d powered by a 2-liter turbodiesel plant making 204 HP. Going up in the range you’ll find the GLE 300d using a 258 HP 3-liter V6, and that’s about it on the diesel front.

BMW, on the other hand, has a wider palette of oil burners. It starts of with the xDrive25d model that uses a 2-liter biturbo diesel making 218 HP going up to the xDrive30d with a 3-liter, 258 HP inline 6-cylinder mill and the xDrive40d with the same mill flanked by two turbos, good for 313 HP. Then there’s the M Performance model we tested, the M50d that has a tri-turbo 3-liter engine making 381 HP.

Petrol engines

On the petrol front, the GLE has a similar offering. You get a choice between the GLE 400 model with a 333 HP from a 3-liter biturbo V6 or the top of the range GLE 500 with 435 HP from a twin-turbo V8.

In BMW’s corner, we have the xDrive35i model with a 306 HP inline 6-cylinder mill and the xDrive50i one with 450 HP on tap from a V8 4.4-liter twin-turbo engine.

Then there are the hybrid models. Yeah, both SUVs are available in hybrid guises but the win goes to Mercedes. Their GLE 500e model has the GLE 400’s powerhouse and couples it with an electric motor delivering 116 HP for an overall rating of 442 HP and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft).

The BMW X5 xDrive40e, on the other hand, has a 2-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine up front with 245 HP and an electric motor making 113 HP in the gearbox. Combined they’re good for 313 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. Both cars have an electric range of around 30 miles.

Then there are specifics like the gearshift knobs for example. While the BMW system might be a little hard to get used to, the Merc has that steering wheel mounted stick that is not impressive for a luxury SUV.

When it comes to design, you can have your pick even though we’d be inclined towards the BMW as it doesn’t have those old looking climate control knobs on and the iPad navigation screen on top of the dash. On the outside, the battle is on, and we’d like to hear your input on the matter.
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