BMW X5 vs Mercedes GLE – which is best?

While the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE are no longer the brands’ flagship models, they still feel imperious, opulent and built to drive at high speed for hours on end. Here, we’ll compare them to see which you should buy – and how much of a saving you can make by buying a used version.

BMW X5 vs Mercedes GLE compared

Styling

Of course, this is subjective, and it could be that you prefer Mercedes’ styling over BMW’s, or vice versa. Both of these cars’ designs have evolved fairly gradually since their introduction in the late 1990s, although this is particularly noticeable on the GLE with its backwards-facing rear quarterlight windows. Perhaps that’s why the X5, to our eyes, looks slightly newer.

The vast majority of GLEs come in some variation of AMG Line trim, with deeply sculpted bumpers, big wheels and black trim. Even the Urban Edition has the AMG Line treatment, even though it’s not specifically badged as such.

You can still buy the X5 in the restrained xLine trim, and with relatively small 19-inch alloy wheels. Do so and you’ll probably find cars rushing to get out of your way on the motorway, thinking you’re a police officer!

Both cars have a very restrained colour palette, with a navy blue option alongside a sea of monochrome shades. We’d like to see some of each brand’s ‘exclusive’ colours available to give a wider choice, although the colours on offer should guarantee strong resale values.

Interior and technology

These were expensive cars new and their interiors live up to the high prices. They really feel special, and make even the most mundane journey that bit more evocative. Build quality and material quality in both cars is top notch.

The design of the GLE’s interior exudes a slightly more solid feel than the X5, perhaps because the two screens are cocooned within the tall dashboard – instead of sitting proud of the dash as in the BMW. And the Merc’s grab handles reinforce that sense of sturdiness.

It’d be beneficial to have a fiddle about with both of these cars’ touchscreens, because both are packed with features. Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system is a bit more clearly laid out than BMW’s iDrive system, although we prefer the X5’s rotary iDrive controller to the GLE’s mousepad. Mercedes also insists on fitting touch-sensitive panels for key functions on the steering wheel, which look modern but are easy to mis-hit while driving. The X5 retains physical buttons.

Dimensions and practicality

Both of these cars can carry vast quantities of châteauneuf de pape, thanks to massive boot capacities that outdo many purpose-built estate cars.

These figures above are for five-seat cars. The X5 and GLE both offer the option of seven seats, but the rearmost seats are only big enough for pre-teens. With seven seats up, there’s not much boot space to speak of – certainly not enough for sufficient quantities of said French plonk.

The lower figures in the boot space column are for the plug-in hybrids, because the battery that enables electric-only driving has to go somewhere. Circa 500 litres of boot space isn’t that impressive for cars these size considering a BMW X1 plug-in hybrid offers 490 litres seats up.

If you’re not afraid of treating these luxury machines as vans, the Mercedes GLE will fit more garden trimmings in than the X5 will. 

Engines

Three engines are available in the main X5 range: two diesels and a plug-in hybrid. There’s not a bad one in the bunch – the cheaper diesel (badged xDrive30d) offers plenty of pace and the promise of nearly 40mpg. However, you’ll want the more powerful xDrive40d for towing duties, as the 30d’s 1,700kg towing capacity is curiously low – most X5s can tow over 2,500kg.

The plug-in hybrid is really impressive. Not only do you get a large towing capacity and a quoted electric range of over 60 miles – potentially slashing your fuel costs – but you’ve still got a silky six-cylinder petrol engine for long-distance work or creating a nice noise. It’s a bit faster than the diesels as well.

If you want a petrol without the plug-in bits, you’ve only got the M60i or the full-fat X5 M to pick from.

It’s a similar story in the GLE. Two diesels cover off the heavy-duty use cases, and are well suited to the brawny Mercedes. Otherwise it’s a plug-in hybrid or an AMG petrol model.

But there are two plug-in hybrids to choose from. The petrol GLE 400e offers marginally more quoted range than the X5 PHEV, but the X5 is quicker. Or, there’s the highly unusual GLE 350de, a diesel plug-in hybrid. This is the best of both worlds if you need diesel power for decent long-distance fuel economy and squeaky clean EV driving for around town.

Value

As new cars, the GLE is typically a couple of thousand pounds more expensive across the range than an equivalent X5 – although that isn’t going to matter much if you’re spending between £80,000 and £140,000 before options anyway.

On the used market, you can enjoy £20,000 discounts on one-year-old cars. You'll often find GLEs for a bit less money than X5s with a similar age and mileage. The flip side of that coin is that there are far more X5s on the secondhand market than GLEs, which points to the X5 being the more desirable car for used buyers.

Besides the cost of the car itself, make sure to give yourself a healthy budget for running costs. Insurance in particular will be expensive, while both of these cars unsurprisingly are subject to the luxury car tax. Expect premium car servicing bills, and consider an extended warranty given that BMW and Mercedes only offer three years of cover.

Which is best?

As impressive as the GLE is, we’d pick the X5 out of these two. It feels a bit newer than the GLE, and it’s comprehensively better to drive without sacrificing a comfortable ride. However, you’ll want the GLE if you need to transport a lot of stuff, fancy the diesel-hybrid engine or simply don’t get on with BMW’s screens.

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