Compare the2025 Porsche MacanVS 2025 Mercedes GLE Coupe

The Porsche Macan 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 GLE Coupe doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Macan’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLE Coupe.

Both the Macan and the GLE Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Macan third among compact premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The GLE Coupe isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 15 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 Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 21 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 369) than the GLE Coupe’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 59 more horsepower (434 vs. 375) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 369) than the GLE Coupe’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

The Macan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The GLE Coupe doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Macan’s optional 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 GLE Coupe doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Macan GTS’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the GLE Coupe:

The Porsche Macan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 950 pounds less than the Mercedes GLE Coupe.

The Macan is 8.4 inches shorter than the GLE Coupe, making the Macan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

A Trailer Stability Management is standard on the Macan, using the Porsche Stability Management 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 GLE Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in service department satisfaction. With a 36% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 17th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Macan has a standard rear wiper. The GLE Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Macan, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 7 more times in the last 9 years. The GLE Coupe has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.