Compare the2024 Mercedes GLEVS 2024 BMW X4

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLE have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X4 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLE are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLE has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seemlesly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The X4 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

Both the GLE and X4 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the GLE has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The X4’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the GLE and the X4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes GLE weighs 513 to 1576 pounds more than the BMW X4. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Mercedes GLE (only applies to vehicles with optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The X4 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Warranty

There are over 10 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GLE’s warranty.

Engine

The GLE has more powerful engines than the X4:

	Horsepower	Torque
GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	255 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	362 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
GLE 450e 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	381 HP	479 lbs.-ft.
GLE 580 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	510 HP	538 lbs.-ft.
X4 xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	248 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
X4 M40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	382 HP	369 lbs.-ft.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLE 350 4MATIC running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the X4 M40i (21 city/28 hwy vs. 21 city/26 hwy).

The GLE 450e can travel with zero emissions for 48 miles. The X4 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The GLE’s standard fuel tank has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the X4 (22.5 vs. 17.2 gallons).

Transmission

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 X4.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLE 450e’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X4:

	GLE 450e	X4 xDrive30i	X4 M40i
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	13 inches	13.7 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the X4 (255/50R19 vs. 245/50R19). The GLE 580’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X4 (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE 580 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The X4’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The GLE 450 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. BMW doesn’t offer an active suspension on the X4.

The GLE has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLE’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The X4 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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 X4 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the X4 (117.9 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLE is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X4.

For greater off-road capability the GLE Airmatic has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the X4 (9.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The design of the Mercedes GLE amounts to more than styling. The GLE has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the X4 (.29 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLE get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the X4 can only carry 5.

The GLE has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, 5.4 inches more rear legroom and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the X4.

Cargo Capacity

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X4 with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 18.5 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X4 with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 50.5 cubic feet).

Towing

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the GLE uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X4 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X4, the GLE has standard driver and 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’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 X4 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The GLE’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the X4 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the GLE to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The X4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GLE has a standard rear wiper. The X4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLE has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The X4 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLE to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The X4 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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 X4.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the X4.

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 X4 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

The Mercedes GLE outsold the BMW X4 by over six to one during 2023.