Mercedes GLE or BMW X5?
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0:00 - Intro

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BAD:

0:50 - Expensive

The X5 was also freshly updated for this year and starts at 67,500 for xDrive AWD

The GLE350 with 4matic starts at about 63,000

1:41 - Fuel economy

Well for 2024s the GLE now gets the same 48V mild hybrid system from the GLC we just drove and fuel economy is marginally better

HOWEVER, even with that mild hybrid the GLE is getting 23 mpg combined with 4matic

And the only problem is that the BMW X5, with 2 more cylinders and another liter displacement is getting 23mpg…in the city

2:29 - Power and Performance

The X5 engine is rated for 375hp while the GLE gets the same engine and same tune as the GLC we just drove which means 255 hp and 295 lbft

So over 100 hp down - which means while the X5 gets to 60 in under 5 seconds, the GLE 350 is getting to 60 in about 7 seconds

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GOOD:

3:07 - Advanced tech

Here now you get an updated MBUX system which now includes
Wireless ACP and AA
It doesn’t use the more vertical style touchscreen we’ve seen in the GLC, C and S
But you get
inCREDIBLE 360 cameras with the AR style view
And the 360 cameras function as security camera to record incidents
AR navigation which we’ve talked about before
That’s tied into the screens and HUD
You’ve got telemetry and offroad status screens
You’ve got pressure sensitive seat adjusters
OR you can enter your height and let the car take care of it for you
Something we originally saw in the new SL
You’ve got a wireless charger

4:07 - The drive

It’s also pretty great behind the wheel

But again it’s more about the luxury and ride here - which is why every GLE gets adaptive suspension

Also every GLE is electrified with AT LEAST this 48V system and every GLE, aside from this entry 350 comes standard with 4MATIC awd

But ultimately, yes, this is a smoother, quieter, and more luxurious driving experience than the X5

5:13 - Interior space (rear)

The footprint and layout isn’t changed at all for 2024, but that’;s a good thing because this GLE is significantly more spacious than the X5

The rear seats are several inches larger than the X5
They’re big and comfy and feel palatial with the pano roof
They’re so big in fact that you can get a third row on the GLE, but I wouldn’t
You get rear air vents and an optional climate zone back here too
You can also get heated rear seats in the GLE
But the trunk is also bigger than the X5, but not as dramatically so as the rear seats
The seats still fold 40/20/40 and you get grocery hangers
Small caveat being that PHEV versions of this GLE will lose a little trunk space to the battery
Weirdly, though there’s no way to drop the rear seats from the trunk
BUT every GLE gets a hands free tailgate

One of my favorite things about this GLE is how spacious and relaxing it feels inside

6:09 - Luxuries

Heated and cooled seats
Heated steering wheel
Heated rear seats
Heated and cooled cupholders?
You can get massaging seats here on this GLE
Seat kinetics
Pano roof option

6:42 - Towing

All GLEs can tow up to 7700 lbs

Also the 7700 lb capacity here matches the MAX that you can tow on trucks like the Chevy Colorado and the GMC Canyon

7:16 - Cabin Design

But that’s fine with me because I really liked the GLE interior and I like it here too
You’ve got the huge dual screens
I love the Porsche Cayenne style center handles

The whole interior is rimmed with gorgeous ambient light everywhere that does dances and even has function effects to tell you things like what the climate controls are doing
Mercedes does the best ambient light in the game - hands down

8:15 - Looks

And finally we’ll talk about the exterior design because it too got refresh for this year

I was a big fan of the previous GLE design, but this is handsome too and I like some of the subtle detailing they’ve brought in

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9:04 - Conclusion