Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 BMW X5 VS 2016 Mercedes GLE-Class Near Phoenix, AZ

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the X5 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The GLE doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the X5 and the GLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the GLE’ (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 4 years and 50,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GLE.

There are over 12 percent more BMW dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X5’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 14th.

The X5 has more powerful engines than the GLE:

The X5’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 54 more horsepower (255 vs. 201) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 369) than the GLE’ 2.1 turbo diesel.

As tested in Motor Trend the X5 xDrive50i is faster than the Mercedes GLE:

On the EPA test cycle the X5 xDrive35d gets better fuel mileage than the GLE300d (24 city/31 hwy vs. 22 city/29 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better fuel mileage than the GLE:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Mercedes only offers a regenerative brake system on the GLE Hybrid.

The X5 stops much shorter than the GLE:

For better traction, the X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLE (F:275/40R20 & R:315/35R20 vs. 265/45R20).

The X5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLE’ standard 55 series tires. The X5’s optional 315/35R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the GLE’ optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GLE.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The GLE doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X5 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Mercedes doesn’t offer an active suspension on the GLE.

The X5 xDrive35d xDrive handles at .82 G’s, while the GLE550e 4MATIC pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive50i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.5 seconds quicker than the GLE550e 4MATIC (26.3 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 29.8 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GLE (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X5 offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the GLE can only carry 5.

The X5 has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 3 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the GLE.

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The GLE’ rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5 offers an optional heads-up display which projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The GLE doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the X5 has a standard rear variable intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLE only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The BMW X5 won the Check it Out award in Kiplinger’s 2015 car issue.

 The X5 is ranked first in its class and received the 2015 “Total Quality Award.” The GLE is not ranked.