Verdict
At RM470,800, the BMW X5 is RM28,088 cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz GLE, yet reaches 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds against 6.1 seconds and carries 650 litres of luggage versus 490 litres. That is the stronger all-round proposition for a Malaysian buyer, although its RM1,637 annual road tax is RM1,197 higher. The GLE answers with a 31 kWh battery, 114 km EV range and 11 kW AC charging, which can materially cut petrol use for drivers able to charge regularly. Its 4-year vehicle warranty also beats BMW’s 2 years.
X5
Pick the BMW X5 if you want the lower purchase price, quicker 5.4-second sprint and a 650-litre boot.
GLE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you can charge at home or work and want its quoted 114 km EV range, 11 kW AC charging and longer 4-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X5 RM470,800; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888.
- Performance: BMW X5 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and 250 km/h; Mercedes-Benz GLE 6.1 seconds and 210 km/h.
- Electrified driving: BMW X5 has no quoted battery capacity or EV range; Mercedes-Benz GLE has a 31 kWh battery and 114 km EV range.
- Boot space: BMW X5 650 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLE 490 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW X5 RM1,637; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM440.
- Warranty: BMW X5 2 years plus optional 3-year extension; Mercedes-Benz GLE 4 years and an 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty.
X5
- RM28,088 lower purchase price
- Quicker 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- 160 litres more boot space
- RM1,197 higher annual road tax
- Shorter 2-year manufacturer warranty
- No quoted EV range or AC charging rate
GLE
- 114 km quoted EV range from a 31 kWh battery
- 4-year vehicle warranty and 8-year/160,000 km battery cover
- Front-seat massage and ventilation functions
- RM28,088 higher purchase price
- Slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- 490-litre boot is 160 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM470,800✓ | RM498,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,637 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ | 248 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 540 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ | 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 114 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Steptronic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,935 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 2,004 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,765 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 2,240 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 83 litres | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 650 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/40R21 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/35R21 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used X5 & GLE for sale
X5 vs GLE FAQ
Is the BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The BMW X5 is the better general choice: it costs less, is quicker at 5.4 seconds to 100 km/h and has a 650-litre boot. Choose the GLE instead if its 114 km EV range suits your regular charging routine.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM28,088 more than the BMW X5, at RM498,888 versus RM470,800.
Which one is cheaper to tax each year?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE has the lower annual road tax at RM440. The BMW X5 is RM1,637 per year, a RM1,197 difference.
