Compare the2025 Mercedes GLEVS 2025 Cadillac XT5

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
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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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLE 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 Cadillac XT5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 XT5 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the GLE’s standard Downhill Speed Regulation allows you to creep down safely. The XT5 doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

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 seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The XT5 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

The GLE has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GLE has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Active Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the XT5’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

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 XT5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GLE and the XT5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes GLE weighs 468 to 1839 pounds more than the Cadillac XT5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Cadillac XT5:

	GLE	XT5
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	84	147
Neck Injury Risk	24%	24%
Leg Forces (l/r)	301/184 lbs.	213/542 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	209	287
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	37%
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	155 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	53 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 Cadillac XT5:

	GLE	XT5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	40	112
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	151 lbs.	151 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	183
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	677 lbs.	825 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	12 inches
HIC	264	399
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	615 lbs.	799 lbs.

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

The Mercedes GLE (with optional crash prevention) 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 XT5 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. With 8 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Cadillac.

Engine

The GLE has more powerful engines than the XT5:

	Horsepower	Torque
GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	255 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	375 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.
XT5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	235 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
XT5 3.6 DOHC V6	310 HP	271 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Cadillac XT5 V6:

	GLE	XT5
Zero to 30 MPH	1.9 sec	2.3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5.3 sec	6.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13.9 sec	17.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6 sec	7 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.2 sec	3.4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.3 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.9 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100 MPH	93 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLE running on electricity gets better mileage than the XT5:

			MPGe
GLE
	AWD	450e Electric Motor	57 city/63 hwy
XT5
			MPG
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/26 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the GLE running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the XT5:

			MPG
GLE
	RWD	350 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/28 hwy
	AWD	450e 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/26 hwy
		350 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	19 city/26 hwy
XT5
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/26 hwy

The GLE 450e can travel with zero emissions for 50 miles. The XT5 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the GLE’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The GLE has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port on the 350e which lock and unlock with the power locks. The XT5 doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLE’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XT5:

	GLE	XT5
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	12.4 inches

The GLE stops much shorter than the XT5:

	GLE	XT5
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the XT5 (255/50R19 vs. 235/65R18). The GLE 580’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT5 (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 235/65R18).

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 XT5’s standard 65 series tires. The GLE 580’s optional 285/40R22 front and 325/35R22 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the XT5’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XT5. The GLE 580’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the XT5.

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 XT5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The GLE 450/580 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Cadillac doesn’t offer an active suspension on the XT5.

The GLE has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLE’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 XT5 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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 XT5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 5.4 inches longer than on the XT5 (117.9 inches vs. 112.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLE is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the XT5.

The GLE’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the XT5’s (58.2% to 41.8%). This gives the GLE more stable handling and braking.

The GLE 450 handles at .83 G’s, while the XT5 pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the GLE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT5 (7.9 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLE Airmatic’s minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the XT5 (9.2 vs. 7.8 inches).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the GLE 450 is quieter than the XT5 AWD:

	GLE	XT5
At idle	38 dB	44 dB
Full-Throttle	70 dB	77 dB
70 MPH Cruising	63 dB	68 dB

Passenger Space

The GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the XT5 can only carry 5.

The GLE has .8 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT5.

Cargo Capacity

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT5 with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 30 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT5 with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 63 cubic feet).

The GLE’s cargo area is larger than the XT5’s in almost every dimension:

	GLE	XT5
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40”/76.5”	41.5”/75”
Min Width	43.7”	41.6”
Height	35.5”	30”

Towing

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT5’s (7700 vs. 1000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GLE is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XT5. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport, the GLE has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLE’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The XT5’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

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 (remote must be aimed at door sensor). On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the XT5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GLE’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The XT5’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLE to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The XT5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

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 XT5’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

The XT5’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GLE’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

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 XT5 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLE to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XT5 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Mercedes GLE has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport.

The GLE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the XT5.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers wireless charging.

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 XT5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Economic Advantages

The GLE will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the GLE will retain 49.45% to 53.48% of its original price after five years, while the XT5 only retains 46.63% to 47.63%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLE is less expensive to operate than the XT5 because it costs $200 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the GLE than the XT5, including $77 less for a muffler and $693 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Cadillac XT5 by over two to one during 2023.

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