Compare the2024 BMW XMVS 2024 Mercedes AMG GLE

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the XM are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The AMG GLE doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The BMW XM 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 AMG GLE doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The XM’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG GLE.

Both the XM and the AMG GLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 driver alert monitors.

The BMW XM weighs 527 to 814 pounds more than the Mercedes AMG GLE. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the XM for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG GLE.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

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 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 20 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The XM’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 215 more horsepower (644 vs. 429) and 177 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 413) than the AMG GLE 53’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 41 more horsepower (644 vs. 603) than the AMG GLE 63 S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The XM Label Red’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 135 more horsepower (738 vs. 603) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 627) than the AMG GLE 63 S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the XM running on electricity gets better mileage than the AMG GLE:

The XM can travel with zero emissions for 31 miles. The AMG GLE can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW XM higher (7 out of 10) than the Mercedes AMG GLE (5 to 7). This means the XM produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the AMG GLE every 15,000 miles.

The XM’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 AMG GLE doesn’t offer launch control.

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

For better traction and acceleration, the XM has larger rear tires than the AMG GLE (315/30R23 vs. 275/50R20).

The XM’s standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG GLE’s standard 50 series tires. The XM’s optional 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the AMG GLE’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the AMG GLE. The XM’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the AMG GLE.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the AMG GLE (122.2 inches vs. 117.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 1.6 inches wider in the front than the average track on the AMG GLE.

The XM handles at .92 G’s, while the AMG GLE 63 S pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the XM has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the AMG GLE (8.7 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the XM to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the XM uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The AMG GLE doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XM has .1 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room and 1.9 inches more rear headroom than the AMG GLE.

A Trailer Stabilization Control is standard on the XM, using the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the AMG GLE.

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.

The XM has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the AMG GLE.