2025 BMW X5 vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

$66,300 · Crossover

$62,250 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the 2025 BMW X5 and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE often comes down to prioritizing raw power versus initial cost savings in the luxury crossover segment. The X5 demands a higher initial investment at an MSRP of $66,300 compared to the GLE's $62,250, a difference of $4,050. However, the BMW delivers significantly more punch, boasting 375 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque versus the GLE's 255 hp and 295 lb-ft. This performance gap is significant, yet the X5 manages slightly better efficiency with a combined 25 MPG versus the GLE's 23 MPG, even though both require premium unleaded fuel. While dimensions are similar—the X5 is slightly wider at 78.9 inches against the GLE’s 76.7 inches—the interior space is almost identical, with the X5 offering 33.9 cu ft of cargo room compared to 33.3 cu ft in the Mercedes. The decision hinges on whether you are willing to pay a premium for that extra 120 horsepower.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The Mercedes-Benz GLE offers a slightly better city fuel economy rating of 21 MPG and saves $4,050 upfront, making daily driving costs marginally easier.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 BMW X5

Despite similar cargo capacities at 33.9 cu ft vs 33.3 cu ft, the BMW X5's slightly higher output may appeal to drivers needing more confidence when merging onto busy highways.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 BMW X5

The 2025 BMW X5 clearly dominates enthusiast appeal with an output advantage of 120 more horsepower and 103 more lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE wins on pure entry price, saving the buyer $4,050 at the dealership while still providing competitive utility.

Choose the BMW X5 if...

You prioritize maximum performance and need the 375 hp generated by the X5.
You appreciate the slightly superior combined fuel economy rating of 25 MPG.
You prefer the handling characteristics associated with the X5's slightly narrower height (69.1 inches).

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLE if...

You want to save $4,050 immediately, as the GLE starts at $62,250.
You prefer the extended gearing provided by the 9-speed automatic transmission over the X5's 8-speed.
You desire a marginally taller profile at 70.7 inches for potentially better road visibility.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	BMW X5	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Length	194.3"	194.3"
Width	78.9"	76.7"
Height	69.1"	70.7"
Wheelbase	117.1"	117.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Drying	✓	✓
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Cornering Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Engine Immobilizer	—	✓

Engine

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Base Engine Displacement	3.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	mild hybrid
Horsepower	375 hp @ 5200 rpm	255 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	398 lb-ft @ 1850 rpm	295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	rear wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	23/27 MPG	21/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	503.7/591.3 mi.	472.5/630.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	21.9 gal.	22.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Front View Camera	—	✓
Side View Camera	—	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Infotainment Display	14.9 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	205W	—
Speaker System	10	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	12 months	6 months
Subwoofer Count	—	2

Power Feature

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	1st Row Power Glass
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Front Head Room	40.8 in.	40.5 in.
Front Leg Room	39.8 in.	40.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	60.0 in.	59.3 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	12-way	10-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	✓	—
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	12-way	10-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	✓	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Hip Room	—	60.8 in.
Front Seat Type: Bucket	—	✓
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	—	3

Rearseats

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Rear Head Room	39.4 in.	36.9 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.4 in.	40.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.3 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Hip Room	—	59.8 in.
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	20 x 9.0 in	19 x 8.0 in
Tire Size	275/45R	255/50R19
Run Flat Tires	✓	—
Tire Type	—	All Season
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	BMW	Mercedes-Benz
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	—
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	6 yr./ 62000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 BMW X5 and 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Is the higher price of the 2025 BMW X5 worth the extra horsepower?

That depends entirely on your driving style. The X5 offers a substantial 120 hp advantage over the GLE, pushing its output to 375 hp. If you frequently drive aggressively or enjoy spirited acceleration, that premium might be justified; otherwise, the GLE's 255 hp is perfectly adequate for daily use.

How do the fuel economy and fuel requirements compare between these two models?

The BMW X5 edges out the GLE slightly, achieving 25 combined MPG compared to the GLE's 23 combined MPG. Importantly, both vehicles mandate the use of premium unleaded fuel, so neither offers a true running-cost advantage based on fuel type.

Are there significant differences in size or cargo space for families?

The exterior dimensions are very close, with both measuring 194.3 inches long, but the GLE is slightly taller at 70.7 inches. For cargo, the X5 holds a marginal lead, offering 33.9 cu ft versus the GLE’s 33.3 cu ft.

What is the exact price gap between the two starting models?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE has a lower starting MSRP of $62,250, which is exactly $4,050 less than the 2025 BMW X5's starting price of $66,300.

Which transmission setup is better for highway cruising?

The Mercedes-Benz GLE uses a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission, while the BMW X5 uses an 8-speed. Theoretically, the extra gear in the GLE might provide slightly lower engine RPMs on long highway cruises, aiding refinement.

Do both crossovers come standard with Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)?

Yes, based on the specifications provided, both the 2025 BMW X5 and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE are listed as having a rear-wheel-drive configuration as standard.