Mercedes GLE vs BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid Comparison
Both the Mercedes GLE and the BMW X5 offer plug-in hybrid versions that combine luxury, technology, and eco-friendly driving options. Let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Mercedes GLE 350 e (PHEV) and the BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid models:
1. Prices
Mercedes GLE 350 e PHEV: Starts around £65,000 (€70,000 / $70,000).
BMW X5 xDrive45e: Starts around £70,000 (€75,000 / $75,000).
Conclusion: The BMW X5 xDrive45e is generally more expensive but offers a bit more power and range in return.
2. Powertrain & Battery
Mercedes GLE 350 e PHEV:
Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor.
Combined output: 320 hp and 700 Nm of torque.
Battery capacity: 31.2 kWh lithium-ion battery.
BMW X5 xDrive45e:
Engine: 3.0-liter inline-6 petrol engine paired with an electric motor.
Combined output: 389 hp and 600 Nm of torque.
Battery capacity: 24 kWh lithium-ion battery.
Conclusion: The BMW X5 offers significantly more power due to its larger engine, despite having a smaller battery compared to the GLE.
3. Performance (0-60 mph)
Mercedes GLE 350 e: 6.8 seconds (0-60 mph or 0-100 km/h).
BMW X5 xDrive45e: 5.6 seconds (0-60 mph or 0-100 km/h).
Conclusion: The BMW X5 is quicker, benefiting from its more powerful engine.
4. Electric-Only Range & Efficiency
Mercedes GLE 350 e:
Electric-only range: Up to 99 km (WLTP-rated, approx. 50-60 km real-world).
Fuel efficiency: Claimed 1.1-1.4 L/100 km.
BMW X5 xDrive45e:
Electric-only range: Up to 88 km (WLTP-rated, approx. 45-50 km real-world).
Fuel efficiency: Claimed 1.7-2.0 L/100 km.
Conclusion: The Mercedes GLE has a slightly higher electric-only range due to its larger battery, while the BMW X5 has slightly higher fuel consumption but compensates with more performance.
5. Charging
Mercedes GLE 350 e:
AC Charging: Up to 7.4 kW, takes around 3 hours for a full charge.
DC Fast Charging: Optional, achieving an 80% charge in around 30 minutes.
BMW X5 xDrive45e:
AC Charging: 3.7 kW, takes around 4-5 hours for a full charge. No DC fast charging option.
Conclusion: The Mercedes GLE offers quicker charging times with both AC and DC charging, whereas the BMW X5 is limited in its AC-only charging capabilities.
6. Trunk & Cargo Space
Mercedes GLE 350 e:
Trunk capacity: 490 liters (seats up), expanding to 1,915 liters (seats down).
BMW X5 xDrive45e:
Trunk capacity: 500 liters (seats up), expanding to 1,720 liters (seats down).
Conclusion: The BMW X5 has a slightly larger trunk with the seats up but loses to the GLE in overall cargo space when the seats are folded down.
7. Cold and Hot Range
Mercedes GLE 350 e:
Cold-weather electric range: Expect a 20-30% reduction, bringing real-world electric range to around 40-50 km.
Hot-weather electric range: Minimal reduction unless using heavy air conditioning.
BMW X5 xDrive45e:
Cold-weather electric range: Similar 20-30% reduction, with real-world electric range dropping to around 35-40 km.
Hot-weather electric range: Similar to the GLE.
Conclusion: Both models experience similar performance drops in cold weather, but the GLE’s larger battery gives it a slight edge.
8. Horsepower
Mercedes GLE 350 e: 320 hp.
BMW X5 xDrive45e: 389 hp.
Conclusion: The BMW X5 xDrive45e offers more power and better performance.
9. Tire Size
Mercedes GLE 350 e:
Standard tires are 19-inch (255/55 R19), with optional sizes up to 22-inch.
BMW X5 xDrive45e:
Standard tires are 20-inch (275/45 R20), with optional sizes up to 22-inch.
Conclusion: The BMW X5 comes with slightly larger wheels as standard, but both models offer similarly large, stylish tire options.
10. Manufacturing
Mercedes GLE: Primarily built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA.
BMW X5: Built in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA.
Both models are made in the U.S., with manufacturing quality known to be high.
Verdict
Choose the Mercedes GLE 350 e if you prioritize electric range, quicker charging, and slightly more cargo space.
Choose the BMW X5 xDrive45e if you're looking for more power, faster acceleration, and a more performance-oriented SUV.
Ultimately, both the Mercedes GLE and BMW X5 are exceptional plug-in hybrid SUVs. The choice between the two largely depends on whether you value performance (BMW X5) or better electric range and efficiency (Mercedes GLE).
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Both the Mercedes GLE and the BMW X5 offer plug-in hybrid versions that combine luxury, technology, and eco-friendly driving options. Let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Mercedes GLE 350 e (PHEV) and the BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid models:
1. Prices
Mercedes GLE 350 e PHEV: Starts around £65,000 (€70,000 / $70,000).
BMW X5 xDrive45e: Starts around £70,000 (€75,000 / $75,000).
Conclusion: The BMW X5 xDrive45e is generally more expensive but offers a bit more power and range in return.
2. Powertrain & Battery
Mercedes GLE 350 e PHEV:
Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor.
Combined output: 320 hp and 700 Nm of torque.
Battery capacity: 31.2 kWh lithium-ion battery.
BMW X5 xDrive45e:
Engine: 3.0-liter inline-6 petrol engine paired with an electric motor.
Combined output: 389 hp and 600 Nm of torque.
Battery capacity: 24 kWh lithium-ion battery.
Conclusion: The BMW X5 offers significantly more power due to its larger engine, despite having a smaller battery compared to the GLE.
3. Performance (0-60 mph)
Mercedes GLE 350 e: 6.8 seconds (0-60 mph or 0-100 km/h).
BMW X5 xDrive45e: 5.6 seconds (0-60 mph or 0-100 km/h).
Conclusion: The BMW X5 is quicker, benefiting from its more powerful engine.
4. Electric-Only Range & Efficiency
Mercedes GLE 350 e:
Electric-only range: Up to 99 km (WLTP-rated, approx. 50-60 km real-world).
Fuel efficiency: Claimed 1.1-1.4 L/100 km.
BMW X5 xDrive45e:
Electric-only range: Up to 88 km (WLTP-rated, approx. 45-50 km real-world).
Fuel efficiency: Claimed 1.7-2.0 L/100 km.
Conclusion: The Mercedes GLE has a slightly higher electric-only range due to its larger battery, while the BMW X5 has slightly higher fuel consumption but compensates with more performance.
5. Charging
Mercedes GLE 350 e:
AC Charging: Up to 7.4 kW, takes around 3 hours for a full charge.
DC Fast Charging: Optional, achieving an 80% charge in around 30 minutes.
BMW X5 xDrive45e:
AC Charging: 3.7 kW, takes around 4-5 hours for a full charge. No DC fast charging option.
Conclusion: The Mercedes GLE offers quicker charging times with both AC and DC charging, whereas the BMW X5 is limited in its AC-only charging capabilities.
6. Trunk & Cargo Space
Mercedes GLE 350 e:
Trunk capacity: 490 liters (seats up), expanding to 1,915 liters (seats down).
BMW X5 xDrive45e:
Trunk capacity: 500 liters (seats up), expanding to 1,720 liters (seats down).
Conclusion: The BMW X5 has a slightly larger trunk with the seats up but loses to the GLE in overall cargo space when the seats are folded down.
7. Cold and Hot Range
Mercedes GLE 350 e:
Cold-weather electric range: Expect a 20-30% reduction, bringing real-world electric range to around 40-50 km.
Hot-weather electric range: Minimal reduction unless using heavy air conditioning.
BMW X5 xDrive45e:
Cold-weather electric range: Similar 20-30% reduction, with real-world electric range dropping to around 35-40 km.
Hot-weather electric range: Similar to the GLE.
Conclusion: Both models experience similar performance drops in cold weather, but the GLE’s larger battery gives it a slight edge.
8. Horsepower
Mercedes GLE 350 e: 320 hp.
BMW X5 xDrive45e: 389 hp.
Conclusion: The BMW X5 xDrive45e offers more power and better performance.
9. Tire Size
Mercedes GLE 350 e:
Standard tires are 19-inch (255/55 R19), with optional sizes up to 22-inch.
BMW X5 xDrive45e:
Standard tires are 20-inch (275/45 R20), with optional sizes up to 22-inch.
Conclusion: The BMW X5 comes with slightly larger wheels as standard, but both models offer similarly large, stylish tire options.
10. Manufacturing
Mercedes GLE: Primarily built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA.
BMW X5: Built in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA.
Both models are made in the U.S., with manufacturing quality known to be high.
Verdict
Choose the Mercedes GLE 350 e if you prioritize electric range, quicker charging, and slightly more cargo space.
Choose the BMW X5 xDrive45e if you're looking for more power, faster acceleration, and a more performance-oriented SUV.
Ultimately, both the Mercedes GLE and BMW X5 are exceptional plug-in hybrid SUVs. The choice between the two largely depends on whether you value performance (BMW X5) or better electric range and efficiency (Mercedes GLE).
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