Compare the2024 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 offers optional Post-Collision Brake, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Bentayga 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.

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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and available lane departure warning systems.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the GLE its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 67 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 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Bentayga running its gasoline engine:

The GLE 450e can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 48 miles, up to 10% further than the Bentayga Hybrid‘s -mile range on a full charge and a full tank of fuel. The Bentayga Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 28 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLE higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Bentley Bentayga (3). This means the GLE produces up to 24.5 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 580’s optional 325/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bentayga’s optional 40 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 Bentayga doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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 100 to 400 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.

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Bentayga’s (7700 vs. 7165 pounds).

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 Mercedes GLE outsold the Bentley Bentayga by over 31 to one during 2023.