Introduction

The BMW X5 has always been one of the favourites in the luxury SUV segment. Be it the way it looked or the way it involved the driver from behind the wheel. This is despite BMW not changing it much for the last decade! The third generation F15 which was launched in India in 2013 was particularly impressive, and easily set the new standard for the segment with a far wider cache of abilities than ever. Now Mercedes has come out with the GLE which is essentially an M-class facelift and we feel it has the potential of dethroning the very talented BMW. It looks much better than before and the interiors are improved too. So which German comes out on top? Read our comprehensive road test comparison to find out.

Design and Style

In the metal, this refreshed Mercedes SUV looks very appealing thanks to the sharper styling. It looks far more dynamic than its rather conservative looking old car and the designers have created an aggressive-looking front end with sharply suited bumper and that signature large grille with the three-pointed star sitting proudly on it. There are also AMG-style vents on the bonnet along with more traditional off-roader cues such as an imitation sump guard and proud sills. Overall, the effect is extremely positive.

Although there were major changes underneath the third generation X5 which was launched in 2014, you can’t get away from the fact that it looks too similar to the old car. As the old and the new car is essentially underpinned by the same albeit heavily modified chassis, their wheelbase is identical too. We just wish BMW had put in more effort to differentiate the new car. But despite that the X5 is still a handsome looking SUV with great proportions. It is even more dramatic looking than the GLE thanks to the high bonnet, huge kidney grille, aggressive looking headlamps and the chiselled bumper. Even when viewed from the side and the back, BMW designers have put in lot of curves and creases to make the X5 look modern and up to date.

Both these SUVs are built around a steel monocoque and features mostly steel panels, although on both the bonnet is made out of aluminium to save weight. Both get permanent all-wheeldrive system. Where they differ is in terms of suspension setup. While the Merc gets air suspension with varying ride-height adjustments, automatic differential locks and a special off-road calibration for the stability control system the BMW is more road oriented and gets adjustable dampers upfront and the rear is suspended via self-levelling air springs.

Internal Matters

When the GLE came out in 2012 as the M-class, the Merc’s cabin made you feel really special. The quality of materials and surfaces is superb, but now the design clearly looks a generation older than the X5’s. Space and comfort have been the GLE’s traditional strengths and it still holds its own. The large armchair-like seats in the front and especially at the back are very comfortable and the spacious cabin reassures you that your money has been well-spent. It’s very practical too with plenty of cubbyholes and thoughtful features. The massive sunroof though needlessly soaks up the summer heat when parked – its translucent shade acts as a greenhouse.

No such hitch in the X5. It too has a big panoramic sunroof, but the hard cover keeps the heat out. The cabin too, is formed from quality materials and it feels a lot more modern than the GLE too. The larger 10.2-inch iDrive screen is crisp and the scratchpad on the top surface of the toggle controller just adds to the modern experience. The navigation is unique too and it shows shows you 3D layout of the things around you. The comfortable front seats offer proper bolstering and are similar to the GLE’s in size. But just like before, the rear seats are placed a bit low and are short on thigh support. Since knee room here is great, BMW should have focussed on improving the support from the seat.

Both the SUV’s get large well shaped boots and you can fold the rear seats flat for added space. The BMW also gets a split opening tailgate which helps while loading heavy luggage.

Tech Laden

Both these SUV come loaded with equipment. Both of them come equipped with panaromic sunroof, powered front seats, cruise control, navigation system, powered steering adjust, powered tailgate, DVD player, full LED headlamps, engine start stop and keyless go. As compared to the BMW in the GLE you get a 360 degree camera(X5 just gets rear) and all-round air suspension with lift function. The BMW on the other hand gets four-zone climate control and eight airbags as compared to six on the Merc. In terms of infotainment system the BMW’s iDrive feels well designed and more modern than Merc’s Comand system.

Torque Machines

The GLE 350d is powered by a 255bhp, 3.0-litre, V6 diesel engine. It is the quieter engine of the two and its performance is also surprisingly sprightly. Sure, the GLEs 7.76-second 0-100kmph time makes it around a second slower than the BMW X5, but in most driving conditions you really can’t feel the power deficit. To be honest, it’s only when you stomp down on the accelerator at high speeds that you find the GLE 350d takes some time to gather more pace. If there’s a grouse, it is with the nine-speed automatic gearbox, which doesn’t respond quickly enough to sudden changes in throttle input. Even tugging on the beautifully finished paddle-shifters doesn’t help much to this end.

Where the Merc relies on a V6, the X5’s 3-litre engine positions its six cylinders in BMW’s traditional in-line layout. Its 255bhp and 560Nm may put it down on power and torque to the Merc, but it is the one which feels significantly quicker and sportier of the two. Its sportscar-rivaling 6.77 second 0-100kmph time is ample proof of that. It delivers strong punch from very low in the rev band and is also the quickest-revving of the two here. As experienced before the fantastic ZF sourced 8-speed gearbox feels superb. It’s smooth when driven in D, sharp once you shift to Sport and obedient to well-timed inputs on the paddle shifters in Manual mode. But exciting as it is, the X5’s engine is also feels a bit too eager especially at low speeds. In the city the throttle responses feel a bit too sharp even in comfort mode and this is where you feel a smoother driving experience would have been welcomed. Also the BMW motor is the noisier of the two and it is the least successful in hiding the fact that there’s a diesel under the hood.

High Riders

Both the SUVs feel a bit unsettled on our potholed roads. The Mercedes GLE uses air springs for suspension. It does feel a bit firm at low speeds, but gets progressively better as you go faster. In true Merc fashion, this SUV feels great at highway speeds. You’ll also like the way the steering weighs up and goes from being very light at parking speeds to weighty and confidence-inspiring at high speeds. There’s also a nice fluidity with which the GLE changes direction. It’s not sporty by any means, but it doesn’t feel out of place in the bends like many SUVs of this size would. Unfortunately, the brakes aren’t very reassuring.

The X5, on the other hand, feels a lot sportier than the GLE. It is agile, quick to change direction and fun to drive on a twisty course. The steering also feels very well weighted at all speeds and, along with the suspension, can be fine-tuned to your liking. For most of the driving, we preferred to keep the X5 in Individual mode with engine set in Sport and rest left in Comfort. This way the engine delivers great performance, steering feels light and the suspension is at its most absorbent. But even in the softest setting, the X5 tends to thump through sharp bumps and it doesn’t feel as pliant as the GLE.

The GLE wins some brownie points thanks to Merc equipping it with an Off-road mode that tweaks the ABS and ESP settings for rougher terrain and you can even raise the SUV for better clearance. The GLE is also equipped with a space-saver spare tyre, while the X5, in true BMW fashion doesn’t come with a spare as it uses run-flat tyres.

Running Costs and Price

The BMW X5 in this Design Pure Exprience (5-seater) trim costs Rs 69.5 lakh which is exactly the same as the Mercedes GLE350d. Considering their performance, size and weight both of them proved to be quite frugal. Thanks to the Eco Pro mode in the BMW in which, the gearbox upshifts at the earliest and the throttle map is altered for better economy, the X5 managed a respectable 7.5kpl in the city and 11.3kpl on the highway. The GLE on the other hand despite having a closely stacked 9-speed gearbox was slightly behind. It returned 7.3kpl in the city and 11kpl on the highway.

Verdict

Mercedes-Benz GLE350d: Rank 2

Final Score: 410/600

Price: Rs 69.9 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi)

Competing against the X5 was always going to be an uphill task. Nonetheless, in most area’s such as equipment, safety, comfort and even exterior design, the GLE does a fine job of matching or even bettering the segment benchmark. Frankly, if you’re looking for a comfortable 5-seat luxury SUV the GLE makes lot of sense. On the flipside, the cabin though great on quality looks a bit old as compared to the BMW and its performance and handling is not a match to the mighty X5 too.

BMW X5 Pure Drive Experience: Rank 1

Final Score: 426/600

Price: Rs 69.9 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi)

The BMW coming out on top wasn’t much of a surprise. What was surprising is that the margin of victory was huge, which says a lot about the X5. The Beemer sets the standard so high because it’s equally suited to being a self- or chauffeur-driven SUV. Yes, its rear seat is not as comfortable as the GLE nor is the ride quality, but that apart, it does everything else almost perfectly. Especially from behind the wheel. And that’s why the staid GLE loses to the amazing X5.

Photography by: Kapil Angane

Click here for BMW X5 and Merc GLE equipment and features

Click here to read our Mercedes GLE 350d First Drive

Click Here to read our Audi Q7 vs Volvo XC90 comparison test

Specification

Test Data

Score sheet