Compare the2022 Mercedes GLEVS 2021 Tesla Model X

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The GLE’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Model X doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the GLE’s standard Downhill Speed Regulation allows you to creep down safely. The Model X doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

The GLE offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model X only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GLE’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model X doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The GLE’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Model X doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The GLE has standard Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model X doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the GLE and the Model X have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and available lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the Tesla Model X:

	GLE	Model X
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	84	105
Neck Injury Risk	24%	26%
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	33 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	209	228
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	135 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	52 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the Tesla Model X:

	GLE	Model X
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	40	101
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	151 G’s	157 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	264	274
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	615 lbs.	625 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the GLE its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 74 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Model X has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

The GLE’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Model X’s (5/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are almost 3 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GLE’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 25th in initial quality. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 31st.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 15th in reliability. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mercedes 5 places higher in reliability than Tesla.

Fuel Economy and Range

The GLE 350’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel is 607.5 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model X’s range is only 371 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 15 minutes for only a 49% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 82 hours and 53 minutes.

Both the GLE and the Model X have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All GLEs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLE 450’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Model X:

	GLE 450	Model X
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	14 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model X (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. F:265/35R22 & R:285/35R22).

The GLE has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Model X; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The GLE has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Model X’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The GLE 450 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Tesla doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Model X.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Model X (117.9 inches vs. 116.7 inches).

For better maneuverability, the GLE’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Model X’s (39.4 feet vs. 40.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GLE Airmatic has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Model X (9.2 vs. 9 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Mercedes GLE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 600 pounds less than the Tesla Model X.

The GLE is 4 inches shorter than the Model X, making the GLE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The GLE has 2.5 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model X.

Cargo Capacity

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume than the Model X with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 19.2 cubic feet).

The GLE’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Model X 6-Passenger doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the GLE’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Model X doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the GLE’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Model X doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Model X’s (5950 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Tesla Model X is only 5000 pounds. The GLE offers up to a 7700 lbs. towing capacity.

While the Model X w/22” wheels can only tow 3480, any GLE can tow a minimum of 5950 pounds.

Servicing Ease

An ASSYST PLUS is standard on the GLE to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, tire rotation and brake pad replacement based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model X.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Model X, the GLE offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, certain gauge, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model X doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GLE’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Model X’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GLE has a standard rear wiper. The Model X doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The GLE’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model X doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the GLE has standard extendable sun visors. The Model X doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLE to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Model X doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the GLE keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Model X doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The GLE has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Model X doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

The GLE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Model X.

The GLE offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Model X doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Model Availability

The GLE is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Model X doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the GLE owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GLE will cost $315 to $6865 less than the Model X over a five-year period.

The GLE will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the GLE will retain 47.77% to 49.94% of its original price after five years, while the Model X only retains 44.09% to 44.95%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLE is less expensive to operate than the Model X because typical repairs cost less on the GLE than the Model X, including $169 less for a water pump and $51 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes GLE will be $13344 to $16923 less than for the Tesla Model X.

Recommendations

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Tesla Model X by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.