BMW XM vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Mercedes-Benz GLE scores higher, 65 vs 58
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 15 Oct 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
BMW XM
26 of 27 standard · no option data · 1 no dataFrom
$309,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Plug-in Hybrid
- Engine
- Plug-in Hybrid
- Power
- 550kW
- Economy
- 12.8 L/100km as a hybrid
- Safety
- ANCAP hasn't rated this model
- Boot (seats up)
- 527L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Mercedes-Benz GLE
27 of 27 standardFrom
$199,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 320kW
- Economy
- 10.1 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 630L
Top CarSorted Score, 65 vs 58
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
BMW XM: we're still completing kerb weight, electric range and energy consumption.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$309,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$199,900RRP
- with the BMW XM's standard kit: $199,900 (nothing to add)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
A plug-in hybrid is compared on its fuel use as a hybrid (battery depleted), the figure that is like for like with the other car; its certified combined figure, which assumes every trip starts with a full battery, is printed under it. Electric range is how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Price and cost per week
BMW XM Label
$309,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $1,410 a week in repayments ($309,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Mercedes-Benz GLE GLE53 AMG 4MATIC+
$199,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $901 a week in repayments ($199,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE starts $110,000 lower on RRP.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$901/wk(≈$3,905/mo)
Estimate on the Mercedes-Benz GLE at $199,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW XMDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the BMW XM. ANCAP's published record does not give the Mercedes-Benz GLE a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 8 of 10 key systems on the BMW XM and 7 on the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW XM
- REC-005906 · published 5 Mar 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, signal interference may occur within the electronics of the brake system.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
Mercedes-Benz GLE
- REC-006362 · published 16 Jun 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the multi-purpose camera and/or the interior rear-view mirror on the windscreen may not have been bonded correctly and could detach.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-005948 · published 11 Apr 2024Due to a manufacturing issue, the threaded nut securing the 48 Volt wiring harness under the driver seat may become loose.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2022
- REC-005922 · published 20 Mar 2024Due to a software issue in the transmission control module, the transmission may not downshift under certain conditions and could result in a sudden loss of engine power.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2023
- 26 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
25.7kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW XM features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW XM stands out with Bowers & Wilkins audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Mercedes-Benz GLE counters with Burmester audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW XM gets merino leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz GLE offers nappa leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the BMW XM and 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW XM uses a Plug-in Hybrid producing 550kW and 1000Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE responds with a Petrol making 320kW and 560Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.
The BMW XM has the clear power advantage at 550kW vs 320kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW XM is 1.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW XM measures 5,110mm long on a 3,105mm wheelbase, 186mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz GLE at 4,924mm (2,995mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW XM generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 527L in the BMW XM and 630L in the Mercedes-Benz GLE, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLE a 103L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz GLE seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLE leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,700kg. That 800kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the BMW XM's turning circle is 0.7 m tighter, 11.4 m against 12.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the BMW XM costs about $3,648 a year (12.8 L/100km as a hybrid) and fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLE about $2,879 a year (10.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $769 a year less for the Mercedes-Benz GLE. A plug-in hybrid is costed running as a hybrid (battery depleted); charged daily, it uses less fuel and some electricity.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW XM) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz GLE).
Where each one leads
The BMW XM: more power (550kW against 320kW).
The Mercedes-Benz GLE: the lower starting price ($199,900 against $309,900), the bigger boot with the seats up (630L against 527L), the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 2,700kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,879 a year against $3,648).
The Verdict
Mercedes-Benz GLE scores higher, 65 vs 58
The Mercedes-Benz GLE scores 65 to the BMW XM's 58 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Mercedes-Benz GLE ahead by 25 points), practicality (Mercedes-Benz GLE ahead by 15 points), performance (BMW XM ahead by 9 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLE costs about $769 less (10.1 L/100km against 12.8 L/100km as a hybrid, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 527L in the BMW XM, 630L in the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$901/wk(≈$3,905/mo)
Estimate on the Mercedes-Benz GLE at $199,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW XMDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW XM and Mercedes-Benz GLE?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is the cheapest at $199,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW XM by $110,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE uses the least fuel at 10.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mercedes-Benz GLE, and ANCAP's published ratings include no record for BMW XM, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE has the largest boot at 630L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW XM makes the most power at 550kW. The BMW XM is quickest to 100km/h in 3.8s.
Track the BMW XM & Mercedes-Benz GLE
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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