Compare the2023 BMW X3 MVS 2023 Mercedes GLE

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The BMW X3 M 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 X3 M has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The GLE doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X3 M 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X3 M. But it costs extra on the GLE.

The X3 M’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLE.

Both the X3 M and the GLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 M is safer than the Mercedes GLE:

	X3 M	GLE
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	21%	24%
Neck Stress	202 lbs.	208 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	116/280 lbs.	301/184 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	176	209
Leg Forces (l/r)	183/114 lbs.	401/438 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, results indicate that the BMW X3 M is safer than the Mercedes GLE:

	X3 M	GLE
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.7 inches
Hip Force	275 lbs.	287 lbs.

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

Warranty

The X3 M’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLE’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 M 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.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 24th.

Engine

The X3 M has more powerful engines than the GLE:

	Horsepower	Torque
X3 M 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder	473 HP	457 lbs.-ft.
X3 M Competition 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder	503 HP	479 lbs.-ft.
GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	255 HP	273 lbs.-ft.
GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	362 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
GLE 580 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	483 HP	516 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 M Competition is faster than the GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid:

	X3 M	GLE
Zero to 60 MPH	4 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter Mile	12.3 sec	14.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	117.3 MPH	97.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X3 M’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Mercedes only offers a regenerative brake system on the GLE 450/580.

Transmission

The X3 M’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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X3 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GLE:

	X3 M	GLE 350	GLE 450/580
Front Rotors	15.6 inches	13 inches	14.8 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	13 inches	13.6 inches

The X3 M’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 X3 M stops much shorter than the GLE:

	X3 M	GLE
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction and acceleration, the X3 M has larger rear tires than the GLE (265/45R20 vs. 255/50R19).

The X3 M’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLE’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 M has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the GLE.

Suspension and Handling

The X3 M’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the GLE’s (53.5% to 46.5%). This gives the X3 M more stable handling and braking.

The X3 M Competition handles at .95 G’s, while the GLE 350 4MATIC pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X3 M Competition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 4 seconds quicker than the GLE 350 4MATIC (24.2 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 M has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GLE (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the X3 M to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The X3 M is 8.3 inches shorter than the GLE, making the X3 M easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The front step up height for the X3 M is 1.5 inches lower than the GLE (18.5” vs. 20”). The X3 M’s rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the GLE’s (18.5” vs. 20”).

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X3 M easier. The X3 M’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the GLE’s liftover is 30.7 inches.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 17% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the X3 M owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X3 M will cost $1005 to $5190 less than the GLE over a five-year period.

The X3 M will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X3 M will retain 51.51% of its original price after five years, while the GLE only retains 42.92% to 45.8%.

Recommendations

The BMW X3 outsold the Mercedes GLE by 2749 units during 2022.

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