Compare the2024 Mercedes GLEVS 2024 Porsche Cayenne

The GLE’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Cayenne doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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

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 Cayenne doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GLE and the Cayenne have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 and available lane departure warning systems.

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 Cayenne has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

There are almost 2 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Porsche 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 Cayenne running its gasoline engine:

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

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 Cayenne.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The GLE has standard Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

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 Cayenne’s standard 55 series front 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 Cayenne 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 Cayenne doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the Cayenne (117.9 inches vs. 114 inches).

The GLE’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the Cayenne’s (56% to 44%). This gives the GLE more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the GLE’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid’s (39.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The GLE’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Cayenne’s (39.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

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 Cayenne (.3 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLE get better fuel mileage.

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

The GLE has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cayenne.

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cayenne with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 27.2 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cayenne with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 60.3 cubic feet).

The GLE’s cargo area is larger than the Cayenne’s in every dimension:

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the GLE’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Cayenne doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

While the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid can only tow 6613, any GLE can tow a minimum of 7700 pounds.

The GLE has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 Cayenne’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Cayenne doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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

Insurance will cost less for the GLE owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GLE will cost $1600 less than the Cayenne over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes GLE will be $9305 to $63423 less than for the Porsche Cayenne.

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Porsche Cayenne by almost three to one during 2023.