2026 BMW X5 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLE Comparison with Price, Specs, & Photos

Midsize SUVs are the sweet spot for a large number of motorists out there: big enough to seat five comfortably along with a good deal of cargo, but not so big that parking or driving in the city becomes cumbersome. So it should come as no surprise that the first SUV from BMW was a midsize model, the X5. Today, the X5 faces quite a bit of competition, but the fiercest rivalry is with a popular model from Mercedes-Benz, the GLE. How do the two actually compare? We’ll have to take a closer look to see.

BMW X5 VS Mercedes-Benz GLE

Both of these vehicles come with rear-wheel drive as standard, and upgrading to all-wheel drive costs only slightly more with the GLE. That’s fine, since the GLE costs a bit less to start with, but moving down the chart, we quickly see the reason for that price difference. You get a bigger and much more powerful engine as standard in the X5, one that gives you a massive performance advantage, even in everyday traffic conditions. It should be noted that a 375-horsepower 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine is available for the GLE as well, but it raises the price by enough that the X5 then has the price advantage, despite the identical horsepower rating. But perhaps the most remarkable thing about the standard engines in these vehicles is that the X5 also gets superior fuel economy. Power and fuel economy are usually a tradeoff, but not here. On that note, plug-in hybrid versions of both of these vehicles are available, and they both get a combined 60 MPGe, but the X5 PHEV also delivers considerably more power: 483 horsepower, compared to 381 from the GLE.

Given that the price difference between these two can be more than explained by the difference in performance, you’d probably expect roughly the same level of standard equipment, but there are a few glaring differences. The 19-inch wheels that come with the GLE don’t fill the wheel arches quite as well as the 20-inch set that comes with the X5. Similarly, lane-keeping assist and real-time weather information are also extra-cost options on the GLE. Lastly, the stereo in the X5 holds a bit of an advantage over the system found in the GLE, and this holds true when you upgrade as well, with BMW offering a 16-speaker premium system and the GLE premium stereo coming with 13 speakers.

Winner – BMW X5

There are some very significant advantages to the X5, across a variety of different areas. And considering the two vehicles are almost exactly the same size, the differences are important. The GLE lags behind in performance, which would be excusable if it offered superior equipment, but it doesn’t. In all, choosing the X5 is a very easy decision to make, and BMW of Sewickley is here to help you pick out the X5 that’s right for you.

*Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for vehicle as shown does not necessarily represent the dealer’s actual sale price and does not include tax, title, license, registration and adjusted market value. Dealer sets actual price.