Compare the2022 Aston Martin DBXVS 2022 Mercedes GLE

The Aston Martin DBX 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.

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

The DBX’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 DBX and the GLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 and rear cross-path warning.

The DBX comes with a full 3-year/unlimited-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The GLE’s 50,000-mile basic warranty expires sooner.

The DBX’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the GLE’s (10 vs. 5 years).

The DBX’s 4.0 turbo V8 produces 287 more horsepower (542 vs. 255) and 243 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 273) than the GLE 350’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The DBX’s 4.0 turbo V8 produces 180 more horsepower (542 vs. 362) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 369) than the GLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The DBX’s 4.0 turbo V8 produces 59 more horsepower (542 vs. 483) than the GLE 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Aston Martin DBX is faster than the Mercedes GLE:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the DBX’s fuel efficiency. The GLE doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The DBX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GLE doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the DBX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GLE:

The DBX’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.

The DBX stops much shorter than the GLE:

For better traction, the DBX has larger tires than the GLE (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 255/50R19). The DBX’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLE (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21).

The DBX’s standard 285/40R22 front and 325/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLE’s standard 50 series tires. The DBX’s optional 285/35R23 front and 325/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the GLE 450’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the DBX has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the GLE. The DBX’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the GLE 450.

The DBX has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The GLE doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the DBX 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the DBX’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the GLE (120.5 inches vs. 117.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the DBX is 1.3 inches wider in the front than on the GLE.

The DBX handles at .92 G’s, while the GLE 450 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The DBX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.8 seconds quicker than the GLE 350 4MATIC (24.4 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the DBX has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GLE (9.3 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the DBX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The DBX’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the GLE Airmatic (9.3 vs. 9.2 inches).

The DBX has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear headroom than the GLE.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the DBX when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the liftgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The GLE doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the DBX’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The GLE doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.