2021 BMW X5 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE presented a smoother and less sculpted design compared to its predecessors, with softened lines and removed edges and scalloping. This design change contributed to a reduced drag coefficient from .32 to .29, making it a class leader according to Mercedes. The front end saw the most significant transformation, giving the vehicle a handsome, albeit unoffensive, appearance. Inside, the GLE offered extra headroom and legroom due to a 3.1-inch extended wheelbase, allowing for an optional third row, which Mercedes claimed could comfortably fit adults up to 5’10”. However, the test model did not include this option, so this claim remained unverified.

The interior of the GLE was generally impressive, with black leather upholstery and a variety of luxury features, although some options seemed excessive in cost. The $720 Emerald Green Metallic paint showed a surprising amount of orange-peel effect, which was disappointing for a premium paint option. The GLE 350’s starting price of $53,700 included a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, with the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system available for an additional $2,500. The test model, with various added features, had a final price of $78,370.

The 2021 BMW X5 maintained BMW’s signature design elements, from the kidney grille to the body shape, ensuring it was unmistakably a BMW. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of matte aluminum or high-gloss black finishes depending on the trim level. The M Sport models had a sportier appearance with body-color matched trim and high-gloss black accents. The interior, while consistent with BMW’s design language, included an abundance of black plastic that easily collected dust and smudges.

The X5’s interior was spacious and comfortable, though the front seats felt hard after extended periods. The rear seats were comfortable for kids and adults, with an optional third row available. The split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button made loading cargo easier. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model offered slightly less cargo space but was still practical for most buyers. The doors, however, did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out of the second row.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. While the engine provided sufficient power at speed, it felt sluggish from a stop due to turbo lag and the vehicle’s nearly 5,000-pound weight. The 9-speed automatic transmission was decent but not as smooth as the 8-speed in the BMW X5. The GLE 350 4Matic had a starting price of $56,200, making it competitive, but the X5’s standard turbocharged inline-6 engine offered more power and better performance, especially from a stop. The GLE 350’s fuel economy was impressive at 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined, but the X5 managed 20 mpg in the city with more power.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered multiple powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i had a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i featured a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, while the X5 M delivered 600 horsepower, increasing to 617 with the Competition Package. The new X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range.

The X5’s driving dynamics were less impressive, with steering issues at both low and high speeds. The cabin was quiet, and the suspension absorbed bumps well, but the steering felt disconnected, especially in the xDrive45e model. Charging the plug-in hybrid was convenient, and it offered a good driving range, but the fuel efficiency varied across models, with the X5 M being the least efficient at 15 mpg combined.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE’s extended wheelbase provided significant interior space, especially in the second row. The GLE offered between 33.3 and 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 79.4 cubic feet with the seats lowered. The interior featured dual 12.3-inch screens, setting a new standard for dash design and customizability. The seats were comfortable, with a “Seat Kinetics” system to prevent cramping, though the lumbar support was tricky to adjust. The steering wheel, while chunky and comfortable, often blocked parts of the screen. The upgraded Burmester stereo provided excellent sound, but the bass caused vibrations through the brake pedal.

The 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space, with well-placed cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad. The front seats were comfortable for short trips but felt hard after a few hours. The rear seats were spacious, and an optional third row was available. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with vehicle height adjustment made loading cargo easier. The X5’s cargo area was spacious, though the xDrive45e model offered slightly less space. The doors did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out of the second row.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the new MBUX infotainment system, which was deep and daunting at first but became second nature with use. The system included two 12.3-inch screens and a head-up display (HUD), offering options like augmented reality for directions and traffic signals. The voice control system, while great in the A-Class, did not work as well in the GLE. The driver-assistance tech was better than BMW’s but still had issues at high speeds, often bouncing around the lane and getting confused by shadows and unexpected lines.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Apple CarPlay had connectivity issues, often taking over musical operations without prompting. The standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional features included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system took some getting used to but was easy to navigate after some time.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE had no current testing data from NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered an impressive suite of autonomous safety systems. Features included Attention Assist, which monitored eye contact and head position, and Seat Kinetics, which adjusted seating position to prevent cramping. However, the safety systems had issues at high speeds, often bouncing around the lane and getting confused by shadows and unexpected lines.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a long list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, but it had issues reacting to stopped traffic and lane markings, especially in sunlight and light rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, despite being the subject of seven recalls.