Mercedes GLE 350d vs BMW X5 30d comparison

    Mercedes GLE takes on its age-old rival, the BMW X5 in a battle of five-seat luxury SUVs.

    Published On Apr 22, 2016 12:14:00 PM

    1,42,037 Views

    Mercedes, in October last year, launched its new GLE SUV, a replacement for its ML-class of vehicles. Of course, along with the new name came some cosmetic changes and added equipment. Now while the refreshed SUV was an improvement over its predecessor, how has the equation changed with its closest competitor, the BMW X5? To find out, we pit these two butch SUVs against each other.

    Performance & refinement

    Both the new GLE and X5 engines displace three litres and put out 254bhp. The Merc feels the peppier of the two as power comes in earlier. What also helps is the quick and smooth nine-speed automatic gearbox – it accelerates to 100kph in 7.64secs. Also, it cruises smoothly due to the new gearbox, doing 100kph just off the engine’s idling speed at 1,200rpm. The engine is quite refined, only getting vocal near the redline.

    The X5’s straight-six engine makes 254bhp and 57.1kgm of torque. All this power is put to good use by the eight-speed auto 'box which is very quick and smooth. The outright acceleration to 100kph, the X5 does in 6.8secs, meaning it is a bit quicker off the mark. What the figures don’t tell is just how much smoother and more willing to spin this engine is. After 2,000rpm, it even feels like a petrol and winds up to its 5,500rpm redline with ease.
     

    Ride & handling

    Air suspension is standard on the new GLE. The ride feels nice and plush in Comfort as it rides over rutted roads with great suppleness and only a hint of firmness. In Sport, the suspension stiffens a fair bit and the ride does get jarring with those 19-inch wheels crashing through even small potholes. The trade-off is better handling, as the GLE doesn’t roll too much in this mode and you can throw it around a fair bit through fast corners.

    The X5 rides well too, and this is particularly true in Comfort. Here, it feels nice and pliant for the most part, only sharper undulations filtering through. In Sport, the adaptive dampers stiffen up and offer better body control, while handling feels even sharper, letting you enjoy more of the good dynamics. But while grip and composure are clearly superior, the steering is too quick and sharp, and this makes this big SUV a bit too nervous.

     

    Interiors

    The Merc’s cabin features first-rate materials. The un-veneered wood on the dash and the doors lend an air of sophistication and the air-con vents now look more stylised. The new C-class-like steering wheel is a nice addition and feels good to hold. The column-mounted gear lever is conveniently placed too. The instrument cluster is neat and the dials, easy to read. There’s no shortage of storage spaces, and overall, the GLE’s cabin feels the more luxurious one.

    The BMW’s interior is sporty. The chunky three-spoke steering wheel feels good to hold and use. The stubby, joystick-like gear lever is a nicely styled element, with a functional parking button on the top. Like the Merc, an unlacquered belt of wood runs across the fascia and the centre console. The buttons on the dash are fewer compared to the Mercedes, but offer similar levels of functionality. The X5 is on par with the GLE in terms of cabin quality.

    Space & practicality

    The new GLE’s electric front seats are large and spacious, and offer a wide range of settings for the driver and passenger. In the second row, space is sufficient for even very tall passengers and the well-contoured seat makes it a comfy place to be in. When it comes to boot space, the GLE has the bigger boot at 690 litres, which can be further increased to a massive 2,010 litres by folding the second row. It does have the more practical cabin of the two.

    The BMW’s front seats are also large and offer a wide range of adjustments, and are as comfy as the Merc’s. The front seats offer a snug fit with nice bolstering and driving position is much better. Like in the Mercedes, the BMW also has good legroom for rear passengers, and the well-cushioned seats can be adjusted for recline too. However, the seat base is too small, limiting thigh support. And the car’s boot is smaller at 650 litres.

     

    Equipment

    The GLE 350 d is priced at Rs 72.07 lakh, as compared to the smaller-engined 250 d’s price of Rs 60.73 lakh. This car gets air suspension, 360-degree cameras, electrically adjustable front seats, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen, and a track pad that recognises handwritten commands, as standard. It also comes with safety features like airbags, ABS, attention assist, acceleration skid control and ESP. Four-wheel drive is standard too.

    Prices start at Rs 65.90 lakh for the Expedition trim and tops off at Rs 75.90 for the M Sport trim. The X5 gets adaptive dampers and a rear camera as standard. It also offers an electric boot release-and-shut like the Merc which is a very convenient feature. The iDrive system, with a 10.2-inch screen, is now even better and more intuitive to use. The X5 gets safety features like six airbags, ABS, attention assist, dynamic stability control that helps keep the car stable at speeds.

    Verdict

    The Mercedes GLE 350 d and the BMW X5 30d are two of the finest luxury SUVs India has seen so far with new-age features, latest tech and driving dynamics so advanced, you need to dig deep to find flaws. The differences between them, however, are clear.

    The BWW is the one to go with, if it's sheer thrill of driving you're looking for. It’s quicker off the line and is solidly built; performance-wise, the X5 is the one that shines brighter. The Mercedes, on the other hand, stands out for interior quality and in this cabin is where you will feel more special. Both are more or less on par when it comes to how comfortably they ride. The BMW also does not really impress when it comes to the rear seats which come across as average comparatively and this is a pity because many will expect to be seated in the lap of luxury right here. The crown here goes to Mercedes because it delivers exactly what’s expected of a luxury SUV while the BMW falls just short of the mark.

    Copyright (c) Autocar India. All rights reserved.

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