Interior and Comfort: Setting the Stage for Luxury
When stepping inside the BMW X5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE, you’re immediately enveloped in an atmosphere of luxury, but each presents a distinct flavor. The GLE exudes a modern and sophisticated ambiance, characterized by flowing lines and high-quality materials. In contrast, the X5, while undeniably upscale, incorporates some non-premium plastic panels, particularly noticeable in the door and footwell areas. This is one area where the Mercedes-Benz GLE subtly edges ahead in perceived material quality.
However, the robustness of materials is where the GLE shines. The door threshold material in the Mercedes-Benz GLE is remarkably durable, withstanding daily wear and tear effectively. Moving to passenger comfort, the GLE boasts impressive backseat space and comfort, making it an excellent choice for families or those who frequently travel with rear passengers. The seat ergonomics and synthetic coverings in the GLE feel more refined than the sensafin sport seats in the compared X5, which are described as being harder and having a slightly rubbery texture. Mercedes-Benz’s MB-Tex is highlighted for its softness, durability, and attractive sheen.
The windshield placement significantly impacts the cabin feel. The GLE’s windscreen is positioned further away from front occupants, and the roof design provides natural shading. Conversely, the BMW X5, with its shallower dash depth, offers easier access for cleaning the inside of the windshield and contributes to a more commanding driving position. Furthermore, the BMW X5 excels in front sight lines, attributed to a lower side glass beltline, enhancing overall driver visibility. While the GLE presents a more traditional SUV feel with its higher hood, the X5’s design prioritizes a clearer view of the road.
Dashboard and Displays: Information at a Glance
Both the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE feature digital dashboards, but their execution differs noticeably in terms of readability and user experience. The Mercedes-Benz GLE prioritizes clarity with larger instrument fonts that are instantly readable. The GLE’s displays consistently exhibit brightness, strong contrast, and excellent legibility under varying lighting conditions.
In comparison, the BMW X5’s dash illumination can be perceived as dimmer, a point of disappointment for some drivers. The original reviewer noted a cyclic dimming/brightening issue, which was somewhat mitigated by replacing dark window tint with a more translucent one. There’s a suspicion that BMW’s Dynamic Efficiency software might influence dashboard brightness, potentially in an effort to conserve energy or reduce driver distraction. Adding to the legibility challenge, the X5’s flat screen design, while sleek, offers less screen real estate compared to the GLE, leading to a more crowded display of information.
Lighting: Setting the Mood and Functionality
Ambient lighting significantly contributes to the cabin’s atmosphere, and here the Mercedes-Benz GLE offers a more sophisticated and customizable experience. The GLE’s ambient lighting system boasts a wider array of colors, illuminates more areas within the cabin, and utilizes varying tonalities to create a richer visual environment.
The BMW X5’s lighting system, while functional, lacks the same level of sophistication. Notably, the X5 omits backlighting for steering wheel controls, and the cruise control and media actuators are described as feeling small and less premium. This is an area where the GLE enhances the sense of luxury through thoughtful and comprehensive lighting design.
Road Noise and Ride Comfort: Finding the Smooth Ride
The BMW X5 is generally a quiet vehicle, even when equipped with 19-inch Bridgestone run-flat tires (RFTs). However, it struggles to suppress noise on un-grooved concrete surfaces. In contrast, the Mercedes-Benz GLE, tested with 19-inch Dunlop tires, is reported to be quieter overall, suggesting superior sound dampening. It’s worth noting that run-flat tires tend to become noisier as they wear compared to non-run-flat tires. The reviewer suggests switching to non-RFTs on the X5 to improve both noise levels and ride comfort.
However, the seat comfort is highlighted as a more significant factor in ride quality. The sport seats in the BMW X5 are described as being firm, and changing tires is unlikely to fundamentally alter the seat’s inherent firmness. The GLE prioritizes a more plush and comfortable seating experience, which contributes significantly to its highway cruising prowess.
Environmental Controls: Staying Cool and Comfortable
Both vehicles experienced initial air conditioning challenges. The Mercedes-Benz GLE had a known part failure rectified under warranty, while the BMW X5’s cooling issues were resolved by adjusting a digital air ventilation mixing control, a setting somewhat hidden within the owner’s manual under “temperature of ventilation.” Syncing the rear air conditioning to the front also improved cooling in the X5.
Despite these fixes, the Mercedes-Benz GLE is praised for cooling faster, more evenly, having a quieter fan, and maintaining a consistent temperature without noticeable drafts. This suggests a more refined and effective climate control system in the GLE compared to the X5.
Voice Assistance: Command and Control
The voice assistance systems in both vehicles offer varying degrees of functionality and user-friendliness. Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX system is lauded for controlling a broader range of vehicle functions and generally working very effectively. The only noted drawback is its tendency to activate unintentionally, without being prompted. Overall, MBUX is considered more robust and capable than BMW’s iDrive 7.0 in the compared 2023 X5 model.
Ride Quality and Handling: Dynamics on the Road
The Mercedes-Benz GLE exhibits larger body movements and can feel somewhat truck-like in its handling. However, it excels as a highway cruiser, minimizing vibration, noise, and harshness (NVH), making long journeys exceptionally comfortable. Its size, however, can feel cumbersome in suburban driving scenarios.
Despite similar official dimensions, the BMW X5 feels and appears smaller than the GLE, offering a more agile and nimble driving experience, particularly in suburban environments, on winding roads, and in mountainous terrain. While the X5’s ride is firmer, especially when combined with sport seats, this tautness is less noticeable on shorter trips or smooth roads. For extended road trips of 3-8 hours, the GLE is favored for its superior NVH and instrument legibility, while the X5 is the preferred choice for more engaging and dynamic driving.
Engine and Drivetrain: Power and Refinement
The engine and drivetrain are areas where the BMW X5 significantly distinguishes itself. While the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 (and likely the GLE 450) are noted for undetectable idle and start smoothness, the reviewer’s 2020 GLE 350, with a 4-cylinder turbo engine and 50,000 miles, lacks the same level of smoothness as the X5. The BMW X5 transmission is consistently praised for its smoothness, outperforming the GLE’s transmission, which occasionally exhibits a clunkiness. While both are generally smooth, the BMW X5 offers a noticeably more refined powertrain experience.
Additional Considerations: Tech, Reliability, and Value
Both the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE present a learning curve with their respective technology interfaces. The reviewer suggests that the older demographic of Mercedes-Benz GLE buyers might contribute to reported tech-related reliability claims due to interface unfamiliarity. The reviewer’s personal experience with a GLE with 50,000 miles involved two warranty-covered repairs, indicating reasonable reliability. Conversely, a hatch rattle was noted in the BMW X5, a minor issue but potentially recurring.
The 2024 BMW X5 redesign, with its updated dashboard, raised concerns about vent airflow and cooling efficiency compared to the 2023 model. This concern, along with a preference for physical switches and the 2023 front-end design, led to the purchase of a 2023 X5.
Fuel economy is another point of differentiation. The BMW X5 demonstrated impressive fuel efficiency, achieving 32-34 MPG at 68 mph, surpassing the GLE 350 by 2 MPG. This makes the X5 a more fuel-conscious choice for highway driving.
Cost also played a role in the purchasing decision. The previously owned 2023 BMW X5 was less expensive than a 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450. The reviewer prioritized the BMW’s smoother engine and transmission, along with its superior suburban driving dynamics, willing to compromise slightly on long-distance comfort.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Luxury SUV
The choice between the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE ultimately hinges on individual priorities and driving needs. The Mercedes-Benz GLE excels in interior refinement, backseat comfort, instrument display clarity, ambient lighting sophistication, and long-distance cruising comfort. It presents a more luxurious and relaxed driving experience, ideal for those prioritizing comfort and passenger space.
Conversely, the BMW X5 shines with its more engaging driving dynamics, superior engine and transmission smoothness, enhanced driver visibility, and better fuel economy. It offers a sportier and more agile feel, better suited for drivers who value driving pleasure and maneuverability in diverse driving conditions. Both are excellent luxury SUVs, and the “better” choice is subjective and depends on what characteristics are most important to the buyer.
