Compare the2024 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain WagonVS 2023 BMW X5

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon 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 X5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon 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 X5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X5 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon. But it costs extra on the X5.

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and X5 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The X5’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the X5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

There are over 10 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s warranty.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 40 more horsepower (375 vs. 335) and 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 331) than the X5 40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon gets better mileage than the X5:

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the X5 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All E-Class All-Terrain Wagons have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch for start/stop is only offered on the X5 M50i.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon higher (7 out of 10) than the BMW X5 (3). This means the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X5 every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The BMW X5 is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the X5.

For better stopping power the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the X5:

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X5’s standard 50 series tires.

The front and rear suspension of the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the X5, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’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 X5 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’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 X5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the X5’s (39.4 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 700 pounds less than the BMW X5.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 9.8 inches shorter in height than the X5, making the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The design of the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon amounts to more than styling. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .28 Cd. That is significantly lower than the X5 (.36 to .38) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon get better fuel mileage.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s cargo area is larger than the X5’s in almost every dimension:

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes E-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the X5.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a 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 X5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The X5’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the BMW X5 isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or sedan.