Compare the2024 Mercedes GLEVS 2024 Volvo XC90

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

Safety

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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 XC90 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

Both the GLE and the XC90 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, 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 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 Volvo XC90:

	GLE	XC90
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	84	137
Neck Injury Risk	24%	27%
Neck Stress	208 lbs.	252 lbs.
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	18 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	301/184 lbs.	567/631 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	209	217
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.4 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	31%
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	177 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 Volvo XC90:

	GLE	XC90
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	40	51
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	151 lbs.	153 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	12 inches

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the XC90:

	GLE	XC90
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	50	123
Neck Tension	201 lbs.	245 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	45 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	.91 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	1.42 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	7 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	-89 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.28 in	1.38 in
Shoulder Force	89 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.67 in	1.42 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

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 XC90 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024, though it hasn’t yet been rated in the updated moderate overlap frontal test, a requirement for the “Top Safety Pick Plus” award.

Warranty

There are over 36 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GLE’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 49 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 61 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Volvo.

Engine

The GLE has more powerful engines than the XC90:

	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.
XC90 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	247 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
XC90 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid	295 HP	310 lbs.-ft.
XC90 T8 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid	455 HP	523 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Consumer Reports the GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the XC90 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

	GLE	XC90
Zero to 30 MPH	2.3 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6 sec	7.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.3 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.4 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100 MPH	92.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLE 350 4MATIC running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the XC90 T6 running its gasoline engine (21 city/28 hwy vs. 20 city/26 hwy).

The GLE 450e can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 48 miles. The XC90 T8 Extended Range has to start its internal combustion engine after only 32 miles.

Both the GLE and the XC90 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights 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. The XC90 Recharge doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The GLE’s standard fuel tank has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC90 (22.5 vs. 18.8 gallons).

The GLE has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the XC90. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 XC90.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLE 450e’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC90:

	GLE 450e	XC90 B5/B6	XC90 T8
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	13.6 inches	14.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	12.6 inches	13.4 inches

The GLE stops much shorter than the XC90:

	GLE	XC90
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the XC90 (255/50R19 vs. 235/55R19). The GLE 580’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC90 (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 275/45R20).

The GLE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XC90’s standard 55 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the GLE can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XC90 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The GLE has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC90 Ultimate suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the GLE uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The GLE 450 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the XC90.

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 XC90 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The GLE 450 handles at .84 G’s, while the XC90 B6 Core pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLE 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XC90 B6 Ultimate (27 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

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 significantly lower than the XC90 (.33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLE get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the GLE 450 is quieter than the XC90 B6 Core:

	GLE	XC90
At idle	38 dB	48 dB
Full-Throttle	70 dB	74 dB
70 MPH Cruising	63 dB	65 dB

Passenger Space

The GLE has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 3.9 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC90.

Cargo Capacity

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume than the XC90 with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

Towing

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC90’s (7700 vs. 5000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GLE is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

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 XC90 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The GLE’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The XC90’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The GLE’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the XC90’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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 XC90 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

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 XC90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The GLE’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC90 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the GLE owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the GLE with a number “8” insurance rate while the XC90 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLE is less expensive to operate than the XC90 because typical repairs cost less on the GLE than the XC90, including $116 less for a water pump, $153 less for a fuel pump and $171 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Volvo XC90 by 45% during 2023.