2026 BMW X5 VS. 2025 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE COMPARISON
Having to compare the BMW X5 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLE is a great position to be in, but being inside a BMW X5 is an even better position. You'll find numerous benefits across tech, comfort, performance, efficiency, and other categories in favor of the BMW SUV, so read on to learn about its advantages over the Mercedes-Benz alternative, then visit DARCARS BMW of Mt. Kisco to take your next BMW X5 on a test drive.
BMW X5 VS. MERCEDES-BENZ GLE TRIM LEVELS
The 2026 BMW X5 vs. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE trim levels include five models for the BMW sport-ute and seven variants for the Mercedes-Benz SUV. Your BMW X5 trims are as follows:
- 2026 BMW X5 sDrive40i
- 2026 BMW X5 xDrive40i
- 2026 BMW X5 xDrive50e
- 2026 BMW X5 M60i
- 2026 BMW X5 M Competition
The Mercedes-Benz GLE offers these trims:
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC®
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC®
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4MATIC®
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 4MATIC®
- 2025 Mercedes-AMG® GLE 53 4MATIC®+
- 2025 Mercedes-AMG® GLE 63 S 4MATIC®+
Compare the base trim models, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 vs. BMW X5 sDrive40i, with the chart below.
| 2026 BMW X5 sDrive40i | 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L turbo I-6 | 2.0L turbo I-4 |
| Horsepower | 375 | 255 |
| Torque | 398 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft |
| 0-60 time | 5.3 sec | 6.9 sec |
| Seating capacity | 5 | 5-7 |
| EPA-Est. MPG (Cty / Hwy / Comb) | TBA / 27 / TBA1 | 21 / 28 / 232 |
| Length | 194.2 in | 194.3 in |
| Width | 78.9 in | 76.7 in |
| Height | 69.1 in | 70.7 in |
| Cargo Volume (Trunk / Max.) | 33.9 / 72.3 cu ft | 33.3 / 74.9 cu ft |
| Headroom (1st / 2nd Row) | 40.8 / 40.8 in | 40.5 / 36.9 in |
| Standard features |
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2026 BMW X5 VS. 2025 MERCEDES-BENZ GLE PERFORMANCE SPECS
As is clear, base-trim BMW X5 specs bring more power and excitement to your drive – but as you likely know, that is only the start of how thrilling a BMW X5 can be. Compare BMW X5 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLE upgrades, and you'll find the following specs awaiting your command:
- 2026 BMW X5 sDrive40i and xDrive40i: Produce 375 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque with a turbocharged engine, providing a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds (BMW X5 sDrive40i) or 5.2 seconds (BMW X5 xDrive40i).
- 2026 BMW X5 xDrive50e: Delights with 483 horsepower, 516 pound-feet of torque, and impressive efficiency from a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It makes the sprint from zero to 60 in just 4.6 seconds.
- 2026 BMW X5 M60i: Steps performance output up with a 523-horsepower turbo V-8 engine that puts out 553 pound-feet of torque and races from zero to 60 in 4.2 seconds.
- 2026 BMW X5 M Competition: Compromises nothing – this monster gets 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque from a turbo V-8 engine that bolts to 60 mph in only 3.7 seconds.
Impressive all around, but how does the SUV on the other side of this BMW X5 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLE clash fair? Here are the Mercedes-Benz GLE specs for comparison:
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350: Starts with a 2.0-liter I-4 turbo engine that only kicks out 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. You can get up to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds.
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC®: Produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet on a vehicle that can go from zero to 60 mph in seven seconds.
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC®: 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque with a 5.3-second acceleration finally result in a model comparable to the base BMW X5 sDrive40i.
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4MATIC®: Get a boost up to 381 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque with this plug-in-hybrid SUV, but trade for a slower acceleration time at 5.8 seconds.
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 4MATIC®: Get 510 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque at your command, along with the ability to sprint from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. It's fast, but both the BMW X5 M60i and BMW X5 M Competition beat it out.
- 2025 Mercedes-AMG® GLE 53 4MATIC®+: With 429 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, you can achieve a modest 4.9-second 0-60 mph time.
- 2025 Mercedes-AMG® GLE 63 S 4MATIC®+: At the top of the pile, this high-performance unit creates 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque for a 3.7-second acceleration time from zero to 60 mph.
The paradigm for BMW X5 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLE performance specs is obvious: for more power and fun, choose the BMW X5. The Mercedes-Benz GLE doesn't even come close to matching its performance specs until the third trim level, and even its highest-performing trim can only match the top-level BMW X5 in terms of acceleration.
MERCEDES-BENZ GLE VS. BMW X5 DIMENSIONS AND INTERIOR SPACE
A midsize SUV can offer all the thrills in the world, but without a roomy interior and balanced exterior that combines agility and commanding size, that's not much of an offer. Luckily, both models in the BMW X5 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLE debate have that spirit, but as you may expect, the BMW X5 brings more to enjoy.
We start with exterior measurements: The Mercedes-Benz GLE is 0.1 inches longer than the BMW X5. The BMW X5 is a bit wider, but that leads to more front shoulder room. Most Notably for interior spaciousness, the Mercedes-Benz GLE provides just 36.9 inches of rear headroom, while the BMW X5 gives 40.8 inches to occupants in both rows.
Interestingly, this lower headroom is not a result of the Mercedes-Benz GLE class being smaller height-wise, as it measures 70.7 inches tall vs. the BMW X5 SUV's 69.1- or 69.4-inch-tall body, depending on the trim.
Additionally, the BMW X5 has 0.6 cubic feet of extra cargo room with all seats in place. With more advanced panoramic roof benefits as standard in the BMW X5 SUV and larger, innovative screen space, spending time in the BMW model interior can be far more enjoyable.
DISCOVER THE 2026 BMW X5 AT DARCARS BMW OF MT. KISCO
If you're ready to give yourself an upgraded SUV, we have a new BMW X5 for sale for you to explore. Visit our BMW dealership so our vehicle experts can walk you through everything else that makes it the winning choice for a German midsize luxury SUV.
Check out your electric BMW vehicle options and their benefits, too. Our BMW i4 vs. Tesla Model 3 comparison can highlight many of the BMW perks we love. You can also opt for a more conventional and gallant gas-powered ride – the choice is yours at DARCARS BMW of Mt. Kisco.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHICH IS MORE RELIABLE: THE BMW X5 OR THE MERCEDES-BENZ GLE?
Both vehicles are reliable. The Mercedes-Benz GLE received a Top Safety Pick+ ranking from the IIHS, but it received a "Marginal" rating for its standard front crash prevention system,3 a vital safety measure to fall short on. The 2025 BMW X5 also earned the Top Safety Pick+ rank,4 so we're confident about the yet-unrated 2026 model's reliability.
IS THE BMW X5 BIGGER THAN THE MERCEDES-BENZ GLE?
The BMW X5 is 2.2 inches wider than the Mercedes-Benz GLE, but the Mercedes-Benz GLE is 0.1 inches longer than the BMW X5, making the BMW X5 only a slightly larger vehicle than its Mercedes-Benz competitor. Despite the BMW X5 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLE dimensions being very similar, the BMW X5 offers more standard cargo room and extra headroom in every seat.
WHAT IS THE RANGE OF THE BMW X5 COMPARED TO THE MERCEDES-BENZ GLE?
At the time of writing, the full details of the fuel economy and driving range have yet to be published for the 2026 BMW X5 SUV, so we can't make a fair comparison yet. We do know that the BMW X5 comes with a 21.9-gallon fuel tank on its core trims. Thanks to a mild-hybrid powertrain, you'll enjoy dependable fuel efficiency with this vehicle.