Compare the2023 Mercedes GLEVS 2023 Bentley Bentayga

The Mercedes GLE has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Bentayga doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Bentayga doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GLE and the Bentayga have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

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, with its optional 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 Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 114 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Bentayga has not been tested, yet.

The GLE comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Bentayga’s 3-year basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

The GLE’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Bentayga’s (5 vs. 3 years).

There are almost 8 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Bentley dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GLE’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the GLE gets better mileage than the Bentayga running its gasoline engine:

The GLE has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bentayga Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 19.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLE higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Bentley Bentayga (3). This means the GLE produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Bentayga every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Mercedes GLE as an “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV). The Bentley Bentayga is only certified to “Low Emissions Vehicle” (LEV) standards.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Bentayga.

The GLE stops much shorter than the Bentayga:

The GLE’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Bentayga doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The GLE’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the Bentayga’s (56% to 44%). This gives the GLE more stable handling and braking.

The GLE 450 handles at .84 G’s, while the Bentayga pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mercedes GLE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 700 pounds less than the Bentley Bentayga.

The GLE is 7.5 inches shorter than the Bentayga V8, making the GLE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Mercedes GLE amounts to more than styling. The GLE has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Bentayga (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLE get better fuel mileage.

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Bentayga with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 7.5 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Bentayga with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 62.6 cubic feet).

The GLE’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Bentayga w/Four Seat Comfort Specification doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

Maximum trailer towing in the Bentley Bentayga is limited to 7165 pounds. The GLE offers up to a 7700 lbs. towing capacity.

The GLE’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Bentayga does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the windows are left open on the GLE the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Bentayga can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Bentayga’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Bentayga doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLE’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Bentayga’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

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