Compare the2022 BMW X5 xDrive45eVS 2021 Mercedes GLE

The BMW X5 xDrive45e has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLE doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GLE doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X5 xDrive45e offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The GLE doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X5 xDrive45e. But it costs extra on the GLE.

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLE.

Both the X5 xDrive45e 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The BMW X5 xDrive45e weighs 659 to 1064 pounds more than the Mercedes GLE. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The X5 xDrive45e’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLE’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 xDrive45e for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GLE.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 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 18th in initial quality. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 30th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 8 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 134 more horsepower (389 vs. 255) and 170 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 273) than the GLE 350’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 27 more horsepower (389 vs. 362) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 369) than the GLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X5 xDrive45e running on electricity gets better mileage than the GLE:

The X5 xDrive45e can drive on battery power alone for up to 30 miles. The GLE must run its internal combustion engine to move.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X5 xDrive45e higher (7 out of 10) than the Mercedes GLE (5 to 6). This means the X5 xDrive45e produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GLE every 15,000 miles.

The X5 xDrive45e’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The GLE doesn’t offer launch control.

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the GLE 350 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the X5 xDrive45e has larger standard tires than the GLE (265/50R19 vs. 255/50R19).

The X5 xDrive45e’s optional 315/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLE 580’s optional 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X5 xDrive45e 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 front and rear suspension of the X5 xDrive45e uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the GLE, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X5 xDrive45e’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (47.7% to 52.3%) than the GLE’s (53.5% to 46.5%). This gives the X5 xDrive45e more stable handling and braking.

The front grille of the X5 xDrive45e uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GLE doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 xDrive45e has .3 inches more front headroom and .7 inches more front shoulder room than the GLE.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X5 xDrive45e’s available third row seats recline. The GLE’s optional third row seats don’t recline.

Both the X5 xDrive45e and the GLE have standard second row automatic folding seats. The X5 xDrive45e’s optional third row seats also fold down at the press of a button. The GLE doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

The X5 xDrive45e’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The GLE’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the GLE’s (7200 vs. 5950 pounds).